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: 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: 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: 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.

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: Technology for performing dynamic adaptive streaming over hypertext transfer protocol (DASH) is described. A planned route may be selected for a mobile device. Wireless channel information may be received for the planned route from a channel information database (CID). Geographical locations along the planned route where wireless network channel conditions are below a defined threshold may be determined based on the wireless channel information. Additional segments of a media file may be requested from a media server prior to entering the determined locations along the planned route.

Abstract: Technology for implementing one or more wearable usage scenario applications is disclosed. One or more types of input data may be received from a wearable wireless input node at a wearable wireless processing node. The one or more wearable usage scenario applications may be executed at the wearable wireless processing node using the input data received from the wearable wireless input node. One or more types of physical output may be provided from the wearable wireless processing node to a wearable wireless output node based on the one or more wearable usage scenario applications executed at the wearable wireless processing node using the one or more types of input data.

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: 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.