Abstract: An aqueous fluid is gelled in a productive zone of a subterranean formation to create a temporary fluid-impermeable barrier. The fluid contains nanoparticles, a polyacrylamide having a weight average molecular weight from about 1.5 million to 22 million Dalton and an encapsulated liquid crosslinking agent. Upon release of the liquid crosslinking agent, the barrier is formed by crosslinking the polyacrylamide. The nanoparticles remain dispersed in the crosslinked gel. The fluid-impermeable barrier is effective over a period of at least 1 hour up to 2 weeks while the downhole temperature in the well is at least 300° C.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for proxying communications between devices on an IP telephony network. In a preferred embodiment, an appliance comprising a network server and proxy server software includes filtering rules which can be modified to enable proxied communication between an IP phone on a first data network, such as, for example, the internet, and a call processing server located on a second data network. In another embodiment, an appliance comprises a proxy server that proxies call-processing and signaling communications between an authenticated IP phone on a first data network and a call processing server located on a second data network. In another embodiment, the appliance relays voice traffic between IP phones. In another embodiment, the proxy server software operates in a secure mode to permit encryption and decryption of voice and control communications.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method in which a cemented carbide product is prepared such that the ease and quality of brazing is improved. The process involves a controlled heat treatment such that the surface of the carbide is enriched with cobalt from the carbide matrix. This cobalt surface enhances the wettability and flow during brazing and provides for improved bond strength.