Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprises the steps of providing a fracturing fluid, and injecting the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to form fractures in the subterranean formation which surrounds the well bore. The pressure is then released from the fracturing fluid, after which the fluid may be removed from the well and the well placed into production. The fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous liquid, a polysaccharide soluble or dispersible in the aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid, an enzyme breaker which degrades said polysaccharide at a temperature above 180° F. Fracturing fluid compositions and enzyme breaker systems useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making nanopanticles of amphiphilic copolymers by flash precipitation. Nanoparnicles may be of amphiphilic copolymer alone or may contain an additive target molecule, preferably an organic active. The inclusion of additive target molecules in amphiphilic copolymer nanoparticles can alter their water solubility characteristics, fluid dynamics, and/or stability. Changing an additive target molecule's solubility and stability in an nanoparticle can make a water insoluble compound suitable for pharmaceutical administration as well as specifically target the molecule to a specific area of a patient's body. The process affords the production of nanoparticles at high absolute active content, at high yield, high productivity, and high processing rates while using unusually low amounts of amphiphilic copolymers. Furthermore, the resulting particles exhibit sufficient stability for post processing as desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous suspension of particles, said particles comprising an organic active ingredient. A controlled release of the ingredient occurs. The invention is especially suitable for the controlled release of organic agrochemical active ingredients useful in crop sciences, such as pesticides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a block copolymer comprising monomeric units of 1,4-butadiene and at least one other comonomer addition products to lower the gel point of crude petroleum. The block copolymer comprises at least 10% by weight of at least one crystallizable block and at least one low crystallinity block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a block copolymer comprising monomeric units of 1,4-butadiene and at least one other comonomer addition products to lower the gel point of crude petroleum. The block copolymer comprises at least 10% by weight of at least one crystallizable block and at least one low crystallinity block.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous suspension of particles, said particles comprising an organic active ingredient. A controlled release of the ingredient occurs. The invention is especially suitable for the controlled release of organic agrochemical active ingredients useful in crop sciences, such as pesticides.

Abstract: A method of controlling enzymatic degradation of guar galactomannan with &bgr;-mannanase by selectively inhibiting &bgr;-mannanase, in a pH-dependent or ionic strength-dependent manner, with an aminoglycol such as TRIS or an charged polymer agent is described.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprises the steps of providing a fracturing fluid, and injecting the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to form fractures in the subterranean formation which surrounds the well bore. The pressure is then released from the fracturing fluid, after which the fluid may be removed from the well and the well placed into production. The fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous liquid, a polysaccharide soluble or dispersible in the aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid, an enzyme breaker which degrades said polysaccharide at a temperature above 180° F. Fracturing fluid compositions and enzyme breaker systems useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprises the steps of providing a fracturing fluid, and injecting the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to form fractures in the subterranean formation which surrounds the well bore. The pressure is then released from the fracturing fluid, after which the fluid may be removed from the well and the well placed into production. The fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous liquid, a polysaccharide soluble or dispersible in the aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid, an enzyme breaker which degrades said polysaccharide at a temperature above 180° F. Fracturing fluid compositions and enzyme breaker systems useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Hydrocolloid gel beads containing enzymes immobilized therein are useful for catalyzing organic transformations in non-aqueous media. The enzyme is imbibed into a dehydrated hydrocolloid polymer gel bead. The resulting enzyme-laden bead may be dehydrated, if desired. A preferred hydrocolloid is carrageenan, especially kappa carrageenan. The resulting hydrocolloid gel beads are particularly adapted for catalyzing asymmetric transformations.

Abstract: A modification of the traditional unimorph flextensional actuator is provided by replacing the metal shim with an electrically conducting oxide. Comprised of lead zirconate titanate and zinc oxide that is co-sintered, the laminate composite obtains large axial displacements while maintaining moderate axial loads. The varistor properties of zinc oxide dictate that the conductance increases several orders of magnitude when a critical electric field is applied. The versatility of the processing over other actuator system facilitates miniaturization, while maintaining comparable performance characteristics. Functional gradients in the material properties are created in the green body by layering thin tape cast sheets. The unique PZT-zinc oxide composite not only controls the piezoelectric gradient, but permits control of the sintering kinetics leading to the processing of either flat or highly domed structures.

Abstract: A process for producing a ceramic composite having a porous network. The process includes providing a photocurable ceramic dispersion. The dispersion consists of a photocurable polymer and a ceramic composition. The surface of the dispersion is scanned with a laser to cure the photocurable polymer to produce a photocured polymer/ceramic composition. The photocured composition useful as a polymer/ceramic composite, or the polymer phase can be removed by heating to a first temperature that is sufficient to burn out the photocured polymer. It is then heated to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature and is sufficient to sinter the ceramic composition to produce a purely ceramic composition having a porous network. Preferably and more specifically, the process uses a stereolithographic technique for laser scanning. The process can form a high quality orthopedic implant that dimensionally matches the bone structure of a patient.

Abstract: Enzymes are immobilized for use in non-aqueous enzymatic reactions by dehydrating hydrocolloid gel beads having an average particle size of 5 to 150 microns and a network structure capable of swelling in aqueous media, immersing or suspending the dehyrated gel beads in an aqueous solution of enzyme where the beads swell and imbibe the enzyme solution, optionally dehydrating the resultant enzyme-containing gel beads and recovering the gel beads containing the enzyme. In a specific method, the hydrocolloid is carrageenan such a kappa carragennan, the enzyme is subtilisin Carlsberg, the aqueous enzyme solution contains 0.05% to 40 wt % enzyme and the amount of enzyme imbibed is 0.05 to 0.5 grams of enzyme per gram of dehydrated gel beads.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprises the steps of providing a fracturing fluid, and injecting the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to form fractures in the subterranean formation which surrounds the well bore. The pressure is then released from the fracturing fluid, after which the fluid may be removed from the well and the well placed into production. The fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous liquid, a polysaccharide soluble or dispersible in the aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid, an enzyme breaker which degrades said polysaccharide at a temperature above 180° F. Fracturing fluid compositions and enzyme breaker systems useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparation of ceramic objects which comprises: (a) applying a layer of a high-solids photocurable ceramic composition, to a substrate, the composition comprising: (1) at least 10 percent by volume of water; (2) at least 0.05 percent by weight of photocurable compounds which are soluble or dispersible in water; and (3) at least 45 volume percent dispersed ceramic particles; and (b) subjecting the composition to sufficient ultraviolet radiation to react the compounds or polymers sufficiently to form a layer of the photocurable compounds or polymers, which is water-insoluble and non-dispersible in water, having the ceramic particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprises the steps of providing a fracturing fluid, and injecting the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to form fractures in the subterranean formation which surrounds the well bore. The pressure is then released from the fracturing fluid, after which the fluid may be removed from the well and the well placed into production. The fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous liquid, a polysaccharide soluble or dispersible in the aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid, an enzyme breaker which degrades the polysaccharide at a temperature above 180° F. Fracturing fluid compositions and enzyme breaker systems useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises passing a solution of a soluble material, preferably a protein, in a solvent through a continuum of supercritical antisolvent fluid and precipitating the soluble material. This can be conducted by passing the solution through the continuum of supercrital fluid in the form of droplets, which can be sprayed through the supercritical fluid. The plurality of droplets can be passed cocurrently or countercurrently with respect to a stream of antisolvent fluid. Alternatively, the solution can be passed through the continuum of supercritical antisolvent fluid in the form of a thin film or a plurality of fine streams.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprises the steps of providing a fracturing fluid, and injecting the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to form fractures in the subterranean formation which surrounds the well bore. The pressure is then released from the fracturing fluid, after which the fluid may be removed from the well and the well placed into production. The fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous liquid, a polysaccharide soluble or dispersible in the aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid, an enzyme breaker which degrades said polysaccharide at a temperature above 180.degree. F. Fracturing fluid compositions and enzyme breaker systems useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprises the steps of providing a fracturing fluid, and injecting the fracturing fluid into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to form fractures in the subterranean formation which surrounds the well bore. The pressure is then released from the fracturing fluid, after which the fluid may be removed from the well and the well placed into production. The fracturing fluid comprises an aqueous liquid, a polysaccharide soluble or dispersible in the aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the aqueous liquid, an enzyme breaker which degrades said polysaccharide at a temperature above 180.degree. F. Fracturing fluid compositions and enzyme breaker systems useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Miniaturized linear and rotary electrostatic motors. The motors are fabricated by disposing a plurality of conductive lands onto insulating substrates and then filling in the spaces between the lands by deposition of an insulating material. A final layer of insulating material is then disposed over each of the entire surfaces containing the lands to form smooth bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces of two of these elements are placed in contact. In one embodiment, the natural lubrication of the bearing surfaces aids movement. In another embodiment, a special lubricating film is placed between the substrates. Arrangements are made for maintaining alignment of the contacting elements. The lands are selectively energized in a manner to effect movement of one element with respect to the other.