Abstract: Suspensions comprising polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles and at least one carrier fluid. The polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane may include functional groups and the suspension may further comprise carbon-based nanoparticles and silica nanoparticles. Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation using the suspension are disclosed. The method comprises contacting hydrocarbons with the suspension to form an emulsion stabilized by the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond include functionalizing surfaces of carbon-free nanoparticles with one or more functional groups, combining the functionalized nanoparticles with diamond nanoparticles and diamond grit to form a particle mixture, and subjecting the particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond nanoparticles and the diamond grit. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool include a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.

Abstract: A downhole composite component is disclosed. The downhole composite component includes a tubular member, the tubular member comprising a fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite. The fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite includes a polymer matrix, the polymer matrix having an unfilled matrix compressive modulus of elasticity. The polymer matrix also includes a nanoparticle filler comprising a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within the polymer matrix, the polymer matrix and dispersed nanoparticle filler having a filled matrix compressive modulus of elasticity, the filled matrix compressive modulus of elasticity being greater than the unfilled matrix compressive modulus of elasticity.

Abstract: A downhole filter comprising includes an open cell foam; and nanoparticles disposed in the open cell foam and exposed within pores of the open cell foam. A method of preparing the downhole filter includes combining a polyisocyanate and polyol to form a polymer composition; introducing nanoparticles into the polymer composition; and foaming the polymer composition to produce the downhole filter comprising an open cell foam having nanoparticles exposed within pores of the open cell foam. The nanoparticles can be derivatized with functional groups.

Abstract: A method of forming a nano-coating on a substrate comprises: depositing a first layer on a surface of the substrate, the first layer comprising a polymeric composition; depositing a second layer on the surface of the first layer opposite the substrate, the second layer comprising nanographene derivatized with a functional group selected from the group consisting of carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, lactones, aryl, functionalized polymeric, functionalized oligomeric groups, and combinations thereof; and repeating the foregoing steps such that multiple alternating layers are formed, wherein each successive occurrence of the first layer is deposited on a previously deposited occurrence of the second layer.

Abstract: An amphiphilic nanoparticle comprises a nanoparticle having a hydrophilic region comprising a hydrophilic functional group bonded to a first portion of a surface of the nanoparticle, and a hydrophobic region of a surface of the nanoparticle. A downhole fluid comprises the amphiphilic nanoparticle, and a method of controlling an oil spill using the downhole fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of growing carbonaceous particles comprises depositing carbon from a carbon source, onto a particle nucleus, the particle nucleus being a carbon-containing material, an inorganic material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and the carbon source comprising a saturated or unsaturated compound of C20 or less, the carbonaceous particles having a uniform particle size and particle size distribution. The method is useful for preparing polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDCs) by a high-pressure, high temperature (HPHT) process.

Abstract: A method of recovering a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation comprises forming a working fluid comprising substantially solid particles and an at least partially gaseous base material, the substantially solid particles exhibiting a greater heat capacity than the at least partially gaseous base material. The working fluid is introduced into a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon material to heat and remove the hydrocarbon material from the subterranean formation. An additional method of recovering a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation, and a working fluid are also described.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond include functionalizing surfaces of carbon-free nanoparticles with one or more functional groups, combining the functionalized nanoparticles with diamond nanoparticles and diamond grit to form a particle mixture, and subjecting the particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond nanoparticles and the diamond grit. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool includes a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.

Abstract: A nanoparticle composition includes a metal nanoparticle, and a continuous dielectric coating on a surface of the metal nanoparticle, the nanoparticle composition being a dielectric material. A nanoparticle is in addition the reaction product of an organometallic compound. An electrorheological fluid comprises the nanoparticle composition and a dielectric fluid, and a method of making an electrorheological fluid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a polycrystalline diamond compact from_a substantially homogeneous suspension of nanodiamond particles and microdiamond particles is disclosed The method includes disposing a first functional group on a plurality of nanodiamond particles to form derivatized nanodiamond particles, and combining the derivatized nanodiamond particles with a plurality of microdiamond particles, metal solvent-catalyst particles and a solvent to form a substantially homogeneous suspension of these particles in the solvent. A method of making an article is also disclosed. The method includes forming a superabrasive polycrystalline diamond compact by combining: a plurality of derivatized nanodiamond particles, a plurality of derivatized microdiamond particles having an average particle size greater than that of the derivatized nanodiamond particles, and a metal solvent-catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanoparticle modified fluid that includes nanoparticles that are surface modified to increase a viscosity of the nanoparticle modified fluid and that have at least one dimension that is less than or equal to about 50 nanometers; nanoparticles that are surface modified to increase a viscosity of the nanoparticle modified fluid and that have at least one dimension that is less than or equal to about 70 nanometers; and a liquid carrier; wherein the nanoparticle modified fluid exhibits a viscosity above that of a comparative nanoparticle modified fluid that contains the same nanoparticles but whose surfaces are not modified, when both nanoparticle modified fluids are tested at the same shear rate and temperature.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond include functionalizing surfaces of carbon-free nanoparticles with one or more functional groups, combining the functionalized nanoparticles with diamond nanoparticles and diamond grit to form a particle mixture, and subjecting the particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond nanoparticles and the diamond grit. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool includes a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.

Abstract: Coated diamond particles have solid diamond cores and at least one graphene layer. Methods of forming coated diamond particles include coating diamond particles with a charged species and coating the diamond particles with a graphene layer. A composition includes a substance and a plurality of coated diamond particles dispersed within the substance. An intermediate structure includes a hard polycrystalline material comprising a first plurality of diamond particles and a second plurality of diamond particles. The first plurality of diamond particles and the second plurality of diamond particles are interspersed. A method of forming a polycrystalline compact includes catalyzing the formation of inter-granular bonds between adjacent particles of a plurality of diamond particles having at least one graphene layer.

Abstract: A composite includes a substrate, a binder layer disposed on a surface of the substrate; and a nanofiller layer comprising nanographene and disposed on a surface of the binder layer opposite the substrate. In addition, a nano-coating layer for coating a substrate includes multiple alternating layers of the binder layer and the nanofiller layer. Articles coated with the nano-coating layer prepared from alternating layers of nanofiller layer and binder layer have improved barrier properties, and may be used in down-hole applications.

Abstract: An electrorheological fluid comprises a nanoparticle composition comprising a nanoparticle, uncoated or coated with a polymeric or metallic coating and covalently bonded to or coated on a surface of a polymeric or inorganic particle; and a dielectric fluid having a dielectric constant lower than that of the nanoparticle composition. A nanoparticle composition also comprises a carbon-based nanoparticle, covalently bonded to or coated on a surface of a conjugated polymer particle or inorganic particle, wherein the nanoparticle composition is a dielectric material.

Abstract: A nanomatrix carbon composite is disclosed. The nanomatrix carbon composite includes a substantially-continuous, cellular nanomatrix comprising a nanomatrix material. The composite also includes a plurality of dispersed particles comprising a particle core material that comprises an allotrope of carbon dispersed in the nanomatrix and a bond layer extending throughout the nanomatrix between the dispersed particles. The nanomatrix carbon composites are uniquely lightweight, high-strength, high thermal conductivity materials that also provide uniquely selectable and controllable corrosion properties, including very rapid corrosion rates, useful for making a wide variety of degradable or disposable articles, including various downhole tools and components.

Abstract: Coated diamond particles have solid diamond cores and at least one graphene layer. Methods of forming coated diamond particles include coating diamond particles with a charged species and coating the diamond particles with a graphene layer. A composition includes a substance and a plurality of coated diamond particles dispersed within the substance. An intermediate structure includes a hard polycrystalline material comprising a first plurality of diamond particles and a second plurality of diamond particles. The first plurality of diamond particles and the second plurality of diamond particles are interspersed. A method of forming a polycrystalline compact includes catalyzing the fox of inter-granular bonds between adjacent particles of a plurality of diamond particles having at least one graphene layer.

Abstract: Suspensions comprising amphiphilic nanoparticles and at least one carrier fluid. The amphiphilic nanoparticles may be formed from a carbon-containing material and include at least a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The hydrophilic portion comprises at least one hydrophilic functional group and the hydrophobic portion includes at least one hydrophobic functional group. Methods of forming the flooding suspension and methods of removing a hydrocarbon material using the flooding suspensions are disclosed.

Abstract: A powder metal composite is disclosed. The powder metal composite includes a substantially-continuous, cellular nanomatrix comprising a nanomatrix material. The compact also includes a plurality of dispersed particles comprising a particle core material that comprises Mg, Al, Zn or Mn, or a combination thereof, dispersed in the nanomatrix, the core material of the dispersed particles comprising a plurality a plurality of distributed carbon nanoparticles, and a bond layer extending throughout the nanomatrix between the dispersed particles. The nanomatrix powder metal composites are uniquely lightweight, high-strength materials that also provide uniquely selectable and controllable corrosion properties, including very rapid corrosion rates, useful for making a wide variety of degradable or disposable articles, including various downhole tools and components.