Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery (TDD) system is provided accelerating the TDD process through the combination of (1) a micropump, (2) microneedles, and (3) nanoencapsulation. A 3D printed shape memory alloy (SMA) triggered micropump combined with polymeric nanoparticles loaded with a drug can be pumped through integrated microneedles. An SMA spring wire is used to actuate a loaded pumping spring to drive an elastic membrane into a chamber. The system's performance characterized an average membrane speed of 0.28 m/s. The efficacy of the system showed an almost 100% improvement for the total percentage of deposited polymeric nanoparticles over that of the untreated solution. The rapid response and demonstrated efficacy can be aimed for transdermal insulin injection.

Abstract: An SMA actuated capsule micropump is provided having a linear actuation which leads to large deflection, high discharge volume, and high static head pressure. The pump is designed for drug delivery applications by introducing a replaceable capsule reservoir and controlling the drug's delivery at a constant dose and a constant static head pressure. The device has a wide range of flow rates (from less than 2 to more than 2500 ?L/min) that would be suitable for a broad range of drug delivery applications. Also, the pump has a wide range of pressures up to 14 kPa (105 mmHg) that are possible, which well exceeds the back pressure of most of the superficial veins typically utilized for intravenous drug delivery, without compromising the suitability for transdermal drug delivery.

Abstract: A drilling tool for drilling a wellbore in a formation includes a drill bit including a plurality of blades and a machined connection disposed on the drill bit. Each of the plurality of blades includes a gauge having a length and an angle. The machined connection is configured to allow attachment of a plurality of machined rings to the plurality of blades. The plurality of machined rings are configured to form the length and the angle of each gauge based on number and type of each machined ring attached. The drill bit is configured to operate in different formations based on the gauge of each of the plurality of blades. The drilling tool is redesigned by removal or addition of one or more of the machined rings based at least in part on a modified length and a modified angle configured in view of a characteristic of the wellbore.

Abstract: An SMA actuated capsule micropump is provided having a linear actuation which leads to large deflection, high discharge volume, and high static head pressure. The pump is designed for drug delivery applications by introducing a replaceable capsule reservoir and controlling the drug's delivery at a constant dose and a constant static head pressure. The device has a wide range of flow rates (from less than 2 to more than 2500 ?L/min) that would be suitable for a broad range of drug delivery applications. Also, the pump has a wide range of pressures up to 14 kPa (105 mmHg) that are possible, which well exceeds the back pressure of most of the superficial veins typically utilized for intravenous drug delivery, without compromising the suitability for transdermal drug delivery.

Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus and a control method for a wireless communication system. The control apparatus is configured to determine for candidate group(s) of access points whether backhaul link feature(s) meet a requirement for coordinated communication with a terminal device. The requirement for coordinated communication includes a requirement for multi-link operation and/or a requirement for a coordination scheme. Based on a result of this determination, a candidate group of access points is selected as a group of APs for serving the terminal device in coordinated communication. By disclosing these techniques, the present disclosure provides for considering multi-link operation and/or coordination scheme selection in coordinated communication.

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state lost circulation apparatus that may comprise a drillable tube with one or more fluid ports, an expandable layer, and an isolation layer. Upon introduction of the expandable layer to an activation agent through one or more fluid ports, the expandable layer may activate, expand, and harden into a hardened and expanded expandable layer, while rupturing the isolation layer. Further provided is a lost circulation assembly system that may include a drill pipe and a solid-state lost circulation apparatus. Further provided is a method of mitigating a lost circulation zone with a lost circulation assembly system. Further provided is a solid plug that may be positioned in a wellbore and may include a hardened and expanded expandable layer and a drillable tube. Further provided is a remnant of a solid plug that may form a fluid-tight seal across a face of a lost circulation zone.

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state lost circulation apparatus that may comprise a drillable tube with one or more fluid ports, an expandable layer, and an isolation layer. Upon introduction of the expandable layer to an activation agent through one or more fluid ports, the expandable layer may activate, expand, and harden into a hardened and expanded expandable layer, while rupturing the isolation layer. Further provided is a lost circulation assembly system that may include a drill pipe and a solid-state lost circulation apparatus. Further provided is a method of mitigating a lost circulation zone with a lost circulation assembly system. Further provided is a solid plug that may be positioned in a wellbore and may include a hardened and expanded expandable layer and a drillable tube. Further provided is a remnant of a solid plug that may form a fluid-tight seal across a face of a lost circulation zone.

Abstract: A multi-intervention blowout preventer includes a body having a bore therethrough. A first pair of ram blocks may be coupled to the body and include a ram, a catcher, and a blade operationally connected to the bore via a first pair of openings in the body. The ram, the catcher, and the blade may cut a flexible line extending through the bore while holding the flexible line. A second pair of ram blocks may be coupled to the body and include a second pair of rams operationally connected to the bore via a second pair of openings in the body to seal around a tubular. A third pair of ram blocks may be coupled to the body and include a third pair of rams operationally connected to the bore via a third pair of openings in the body to seal the bore.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for hydrocarbon production, including operations involving ballooned hydraulic fractures and complex toe-to-heel flooding. The recovery of ballooned hydrocarbons via ballooned hydraulic fractures can include the use of an OZF (Optimized Modified Zipper Frac) that recovers hydrocarbons. OZF can be implemented as a fracturing technique with respect to organic shale reservoirs to maximize near-wellbore complexity and overall permeability and hydrocarbon recovery. Additionally, Complex toe-to-heel flooding (CTTHF) can be applied to horizontal wells. CTTHF uses one or more barriers and an injector hydraulic fracture, and facilitates the control of early water production.

Abstract: A multi-intervention blowout preventer includes a body having a bore therethrough. A first pair of ram blocks may be coupled to the body and include a ram, a catcher, and a blade operationally connected to the bore via a first pair of openings in the body. The ram, the catcher, and the blade may cut a flexible line extending through the bore while holding the flexible line. A second pair of ram blocks may be coupled to the body and include a second pair of rams operationally connected to the bore via a second pair of openings in the body to seal around a tubular. A third pair of ram blocks may be coupled to the body and include a third pair of rams operationally connected to the bore via a third pair of openings in the body to seal the bore.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for hydrocarbon production, including operations involving ballooned hydraulic fractures and complex toe-to-heel flooding. The recovery of ballooned hydrocarbons via ballooned hydraulic fractures can include the use of an OZF (Optimized Modified Zipper Frac) that recoves hydrocarbons. OZF can be implemented as a fracturing technique with respect to organic shale reservoirs to maximize near-wellbore complexity and overall permeability and hydrocarbone recovery. Additionally, Complex toe-to-heel flooding (CTTHF) can be applied to horizontal wells. CTTHF uses one or more barriers and an injector hydraulic fracture, and facilitates the control of early water production.

Abstract: Applying shock waves using a plasma pulse generation system or other comparable systems, including an acoustic/pressure oscillatory system, would help to enhance the complexity of the far field hydraulic fracture during fracturing shale formation. It would also help in avoiding pre-mature screen out. The critical factor to maximize the desired results is to apply the shock waves at the correct time. By combining shock wave technology with the newly developed fracturing pressure data analysis, it is possible to achieve maximum results.

Abstract: MEMS mass-spring-damper systems (including MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers) using an out-of-plane (or vertical) suspension scheme, wherein the suspensions are normal to the proof mass, are disclosed. Such out-of-plane suspension scheme helps such MEMS mass-spring-damper systems achieve inertial grade performance. Methods of fabricating out-of-plane suspensions in MEMS mass-spring-damper systems (including MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers) are also disclosed.

Abstract: MEMS mass-spring-damper systems (including MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers) using an out-of-plane (or vertical) suspension scheme, wherein the suspensions are normal to the proof mass, are disclosed. Such out-of-plane suspension scheme helps such MEMS mass-spring-damper systems achieve inertial grade performance. Methods of fabricating out-of-plane suspensions in MEMS mass-spring-damper systems (including MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers) are also disclosed.

Abstract: Applying shock waves using a plasma pulse generation system or other comparable systems, including an acoustic/pressure oscillatory system, would help to enhance the complexity of the far field hydraulic fracture during fracturing shale formation. It would also help in avoiding pre-mature screen out. The critical factor to maximize the desired results is to apply the shock waves at the correct time. By combining shock wave technology with the newly developed fracturing pressure data analysis, it is possible to achieve maximum results.

Abstract: In an example diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT), or a “minifrac,” a fracturing fluid is pumped at a relatively constant rate and high pressure to achieve a fracture pressure of a subterranean formation. Sometime after achieving formation fracture pressure, the pump is shut off and the well is shut in, such that the pressure within the sealed portion of the well equilibrates with the pressure of the subterranean formation. As the pressure declines, the pressure of the injection fluid is monitored. This collected pressure data is then used to determine information regarding the permeability of the subterranean formation. In some implementations, a model for before closure analysis (BCA) can be used to estimate the permeability of a formation based on before closure pressure data (i.e., data collected before the fracture closure pressure is reached) based on a solution to the rigorous flow equation of fracturing fluid, which is leaking off into the formation during fracture closure.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a mobile computing device provides assistance services for visitors at events which involve large crowds and long distances. The mobile computing device may be used to read a unique identifier for a visitor from an identification token for the visitor. The mobile computing device may then send visitor location data for the current location of the visitor to a remote command center. The mobile computing device may then receive leader location data from the remote command center. The leader location data may identify a last known location for a leader of a group of visitors that includes the visitor. After receiving the leader location data, the mobile computing device may compute directions from the current location of the visitor to the last known location of the leader, and the mobile computing device may display those directions on a map. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In an example diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT), or a “minifrac,” a fracturing fluid is pumped at a relatively constant rate and high pressure to achieve a fracture pressure of a subterranean formation. Sometime after achieving formation fracture pressure, the pump is shut off and the well is shut in, such that the pressure within the sealed portion of the well equilibrates with the pressure of the subterranean formation. As the pressure declines, the pressure of the injection fluid is monitored. This collected pressure data is then used to determine information regarding the permeability of the subterranean formation. In some implementations, a model for before closure analysis (BCA) can be used to estimate the permeability of a formation based on before closure pressure data (i.e., data collected before the fracture closure pressure is reached) based on a solution to the rigorous flow equation of fracturing fluid, which is leaking off into the formation during fracture closure.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a mobile computing device provides assistance services for visitors at events which involve large crowds and long distances. The mobile computing device may be used to read a unique identifier for a visitor from an identification token for the visitor. The mobile computing device may then send visitor location data for the current location of the visitor to a remote command center. The mobile computing device may then receive leader location data from the remote command center. The leader location data may identify a last known location for a leader of a group of visitors that includes the visitor. After receiving the leader location data, the mobile computing device may compute directions from the current location of the visitor to the last known location of the leader, and the mobile computing device may display those directions on a map. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for performing the appropriate manipulation of pressure-time data during a hydraulic fracturing treatment or test to determine the condition of the created fracture. The mode of growth, dilation, or intersection with one or more natural fractures may be determined accurately and quickly. The methods include the steps of acquiring fracturing data, assessing the fracturing index based on a moving reference point, and establishing the mode of fracture propagation using the fracturing index. The methods provide for the determination of the time of intersection of a hydraulic fractures with one or more natural fractures. The methods also provide for an early warning of sand-out possibility. The data analysis may be performed in real time during the progress of the treatment or test or in a playback mode after the completion of the treatment or test.