Abstract: A downhole tool for controlling the flow of a fluid in a wellbore includes a component that comprises: a cementitious material; an aggregate; and a ductility modifying agent comprising one or more of the following: an ionomer; a functionalized filler; the functionalized filler comprising one or more of the following: functionalized carbon; functionalized clay; functionalized silica; functionalized alumina; functionalized zirconia; functionalized titanium dioxide; functionalized silsesquioxane; functionalized halloysite; or functionalized boron nitride; a metallic fiber; or a polymeric fiber.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises a liquid and functionalized nanoparticles suspended in the liquid. At least some of the functionalized nanoparticles comprise nanoparticles of aluminosilica and have a chemical structure of: wherein at least one of the X's represents —O— bonded to a silicon (Si) atom or an aluminum (Al) atom of the aluminosilica of at least one of the nanoparticles; each other of the X's represents an additional —O— bonded to another silicon (Si) atom or another aluminum (Al) atom of the aluminosilica of at least one of the nanoparticles, an alkoxy group, an alkyl group, a hydroxyl group (OH), a hydrogen atom, or a halide; Z represents an oxygen (O) atom or an NH group; and Q represents an epoxide group, an aziridine group, a —CH(OH)CH2OH group, a —CH(OH)CH2NH2 group, a —CH(NH)2CH2OH group, or a —CH(NH2)CH2NH2 group. Methods of formation and of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole tool for controlling the flow of a fluid in a wellbore includes a component that comprises: a cementitious material; an aggregate; and a ductility modifying agent comprising one or more of the following: an ionomer; a functionalized filler; the functionalized filler comprising one or more of the following: functionalized carbon; functionalized clay; functionalized silica; functionalized alumina; functionalized zirconia; functionalized titanium dioxide; functionalized silsesquioxane; functionalized halloysite; or functionalized boron nitride; a metallic fiber; or a polymeric fiber.

Abstract: A downhole tool for controlling the flow of a fluid in a wellbore includes a component that comprises: a cementitious material; an aggregate; and a ductility modifying agent comprising one or more of the following: an ionomer; a functionalized filler; the functionalized filler comprising one or more of the following: functionalized carbon; functionalized clay; functionalized silica; functionalized alumina; functionalized zirconia; functionalized titanium dioxide; functionalized silsesquioxane; functionalized halloysite; or functionalized boron nitride; a metallic fiber; or a polymeric fiber.

Abstract: A composition of matter includes a liquid and nanoparticles suspended in the liquid. The nanoparticles each include silica, alumina, and an organosilicon functional group having a molecular weight of at least 200. A method includes functionalizing a surface of nanoparticles with an organosilicon functional group and dispersing the nanoparticles in a liquid to form a suspension. The functional group has a molecular weight of at least 200. The nanoparticles each include silica and alumina at a surface thereof.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons comprises introducing a suspension comprising nanoparticles to a material and contacting surfaces of the material with the suspension. After introducing the suspension comprising the nanoparticles to the material, the method further includes introducing at least one charged surfactant to the material and removing hydrocarbons from the material. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the nanoparticles may be introduced to the material prior to introduction of the surfactant to the material. Related methods of recovering hydrocarbons from a material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons comprises introducing a suspension comprising nanoparticles to a material and contacting surfaces of the material with the suspension. After introducing the suspension comprising the nanoparticles to the material, the method further includes introducing at least one charged surfactant to the material and removing hydrocarbons from the material. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the nanoparticles may be introduced to the material prior to introduction of the surfactant to the material. Related methods of recovering hydrocarbons from a material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition of matter includes a liquid and nanoparticles suspended in the liquid. The nanoparticles each include silica, alumina, and an organosilicon functional group having a molecular weight of at least 200. A method includes functionalizing a surface of nanoparticles with an organosilicon functional group and dispersing the nanoparticles in a liquid to form a suspension. The functional group has a molecular weight of at least 200. The nanoparticles each include silica and alumina at a surface thereof.

Abstract: A composition of matter includes a liquid and nanoparticles suspended in the liquid. The nanoparticles each include silica, alumina, and an organosilicon functional group having a molecular weight of at least 200. A method includes functionalizing a surface of nanoparticles with an organosilicon functional group and dispersing the nanoparticles in a liquid to form a suspension. The functional group has a molecular weight of at least 200. The nanoparticles each include silica and alumina at a surface thereof.

Abstract: Removing an asphaltene particle from a substrate includes contacting a silicate nanoparticle with a chemical group to form a functionalized silicate nanoparticle, the chemical group includes a first portion; and a second portion comprising a nonaromatic moiety, the first portion being bonded to the silicate nanoparticle; contacting the asphaltene particle with the functionalized silicate nanoparticle, the asphaltene particle being disposed on the substrate; interposing the functionalized silicate nanoparticle between the asphaltene particle and the substrate; and separating the asphaltene particle from the substrate with the functionalized silicate nanoparticle to remove the asphaltene particle. A composition includes a functionalized silicate nanoparticle comprising a reaction product of a silicate nanoparticle and a functionalization compound; and a fluid.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate includes dispersing functionalized diamond nanoparticles in a fluid comprising metal ions to form a deposition composition; disposing a portion of the deposition composition over at least a portion of a substrate; and electrochemically depositing a coating over the substrate. The coating comprises the diamond nanoparticles and a metal formed by reduction of the metal ions in the deposition composition.

Abstract: A method of removing fines and coarse particles from tailings comprises forming a slurry comprising water and oil sands and separating bitumen from tailings comprising fines and coarse particles. Functionalized nanoparticles each comprising a core of carbon nitride and functionalized with one or more exposed cationic groups are mixed with the tailings. The functionalized nanoparticles and the fines interact to form agglomerates comprising the functionalized nanoparticles and the fines attached to the one or more exposed cationic groups. The agglomerates are removed from the tailings to form an aqueous solution having suspended therein fewer fines and coarse particles than are suspended within the tailings.

Abstract: A water extraction process for separating bitumen from tar sands comprises slurrying tar sands in water, mixing the aqueous slurry with a magnetic substance for a time sufficient to release bitumen from tar sands and to uniformly disperse the magnetic substance with the bitumen, and subjecting the resulting slurry to froth flotation for recovery of a bitumen product and production of sand tails. The magnetic substance may comprise a magnetic surfactant. Alternatively, the magnetic substance comprises a magnetic nanoparticle together with a frother having the characteristics of methyl-isobutyl-carbinol and can be mixed with the aqueous slurry by attrition scrubbing or by flotation cell mixing. The magnetic substance may be recovered for further reuse by applying a magnetic or electromagnetic field to the tailings. The process may suitably applied in both so-called hot water extraction processes as well in an “ambient” temperature (from about freezing to 35° C.) process.

Abstract: A method of installing a downhole device comprises introducing a downhole device into a wellbore, the downhole device comprising a substrate and a shape memory polymer in a deformed state disposed on the substrate; combining a modified activation material in the form of a powder, a hydrogel, an xerogel, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing with a carrier to provide an activation fluid; introducing the activation fluid into the wellbore; releasing an activation agent in a liquid form from the modified activation material; and contacting the shape memory polymer in the deformed state with the released activation agent in an amount effective to deploy the shape memory polymer.

Abstract: A composition of matter includes a liquid and nanoparticles suspended in the liquid. The nanoparticles each include silica, alumina, and an organosilicon functional group having a molecular weight of at least 200. A method includes functionalizing a surface of nanoparticles with an organosilicon functional group and dispersing the nanoparticles in a liquid to form a suspension. The functional group has a molecular weight of at least 200. The nanoparticles each include silica and alumina at a surface thereof.

Abstract: A filter membrane includes carbon nanotubes and carbon nitride nanoparticles. Inter-particle atomic interactions between the carbon nanotubes and the carbon nitride nanoparticles bind the carbon nanotubes and the carbon nitride nanoparticles together. A filter cartridge includes such a filter membrane disposed within an outer housing between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet such that fluid passing through the outer housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet passes through the filter membrane. Such filter membranes may be formed by dispersing carbon nanotubes and carbon nitride nanoparticles in a liquid to form a suspension, and passing the suspension through a filter to deposit the nanotubes and nanoparticles on the filter. Liquid may be filtered by causing the liquid to pass through such a filter membrane.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises forming a suspension comprising reactive particles and a carrier fluid. The suspension is introduced into a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon material. At least a portion of the reactive particles are exothermically reacted with at least one other material within the subterranean formation to form a treated hydrocarbon material from the hydrocarbon material. The treated hydrocarbon material is extracted from the subterranean formation. An additional method of extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation, and a method of treating a hydrocarbon material within a subterranean formation are also described.

Abstract: A swellable downhole article includes a swellable material and a carbon nitride material. The swellable material may include at least one of an elastomeric material and an absorbent material. The carbon nitride material may remove cations from a downhole fluid. Methods of forming the swellable downhole article are also disclosed, as are methods of forming a carbon nitride containing material for removing contaminants from a fluid.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises introducing a solution comprising a silicon-containing compound into the subterranean formation. The silicon-containing compound may comprise a terminal group comprising one of an alkanoate group, a fluoroalkanoate group, and a perfluoroalkanoate group, and one or more of an alkoxy group and a chlorine atom bonded to a silicon atom. The method comprises attaching the silicon-containing compound to one or more of formation surfaces of the subterranean formation to form an oleophilic surface on the one or more of the formation surfaces and the surfaces of proppant particles.

Abstract: A lubricating oil comprises a base oil; and an anti-degradation additive comprising microcapsules, nanocapsules, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; the microcapsules and the nanocapsules each independently having a core of a neutralizing material and a polymeric encapsulant configured to release the neutralizing material in an acidic environment by breaking crosslinks or hydrogen bonds in the polymeric encapsulant. The released neutralizing material can prevent the formation of viscous, high molecular weight molecules thus enhancing the lifetime of the lubricating oil and improving its reliability.