Abstract: Cutting elements for earth-boring applications may include a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond material secured to the substrate. A first region of the polycrystalline diamond material may exhibit a first volume percentage of nanoparticles bonded to diamond grains within the first region. A second region of the polycrystalline diamond material adjacent to the first region may exhibit a second, different volume percentage of nanoparticles bonded to diamond grains within the second region. Methods of making cutting elements for earth-boring applications may involve positioning a first mixture of particles having a first volume percentage of nanoparticles and a second mixture of particles having a second, different volume percentage of nanoparticles within a container.

Abstract: A substantially homogeneous particle mixture is disclosed. The mixture includes a plurality of derivatized nanodiamond particles comprising a plurality of first functional groups. The mixture also includes a plurality of microdiamond particles, wherein the derivatized nanodiamond particles and microdiamond particles comprise a substantially homogeneous particle mixture. The mixture may also include a plurality of third particles comprising nanoparticles not identical to the derivatized nanodiamond particles, or a plurality of microparticles not identical to the microdiamond particles, or a combination thereof, and the derivatized nanodiamond particles, derivatized microdiamond particles and third particles comprise the substantially homogeneous particle mixture.

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 an aromatic moiety or 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 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: A substance includes diamond particles having a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 ?m and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond particles. The organic compound may include a surfactant or a polymer. A method of forming a substance includes exposing diamond particles to an organic compound, and exposing the diamond particles in the presence of the organic compound to ultrasonic energy. The diamond particles may have a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 ?m. A composition includes a liquid, a plurality of diamond nanoparticles dispersed within the liquid, and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond nanoparticles. A method includes mixing a plurality of diamond particles with a solution comprising a liquid solvent and an organic compound, and exposing the mixture including the plurality of diamond nanoparticles and the solution to ultrasonic energy.

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 an aromatic 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 an aromatic compound; and a fluid.

Abstract: A method of transferring heat to or from a downhole element comprising contacting a downhole fluid comprising a fluid medium, and a nanoparticle, the nanoparticle being uniformly dispersed in the downhole fluid, to a downhole element inserted in a downhole environment. A method of cooling a downhole element, and a method of drilling a borehole are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cutting elements comprise a multi-portion polycrystalline material. At least one portion of the multi-portion polycrystalline material comprises a higher volume of nanoparticles than at least another portion. Earth-boring tools comprise a body and at least one cutting element attached to the body. The at least one cutting element comprises a hard polycrystalline material. The hard polycrystalline material comprises a first portion comprising a first volume of nanoparticles. A second portion of the hard polycrystalline material comprises a second volume of nanoparticles. The first volume of nanoparticles differs from the second volume of nanoparticles. Methods of forming cutting elements for earth-boring tools comprise forming a volume of superabrasive material, including forming a first portion of the superabrasive material comprising a first volume of nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of forming 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 and a solvent to form a substantially homogeneous suspension of the derivatized nanodiamond particles and microdiamond 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. The method also includes combining the polycrystalline diamond with a substrate comprising a ceramic.

Abstract: A substance includes diamond particles having a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 ?m and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond particles. The organic compound may include a surfactant or a polymer. A method of forming a substance includes exposing diamond particles to an organic compound, and exposing the diamond particles in the presence of the organic compound to ultrasonic energy. The diamond particles may have a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 ?m. A composition includes a liquid, a plurality of diamond nanoparticles dispersed within the liquid, and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond nanoparticles. A method includes mixing a plurality of diamond particles with a solution comprising a liquid solvent and an organic compound, and exposing the mixture including the plurality of diamond nanoparticles and the solution to ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: Cutting elements earth-boring tools may include a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond table secured to the substrate. At least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond table may be formed from a plurality of core particles comprising a diamond material and having an average diameter of between 1 ?m and 500 ?m. A coating material may be adhered to and covering at least a portion of an outer surface of each core particle of the plurality of core particles, the coating material being an amine terminated group. A plurality of nanoparticles selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, nanographite, nanographene, non-diamond carbon allotropes, surface modified nanodiamond, nanoscale particles of BeO, and nanoscale particles comprising a Group VIIIA element may be adhered to the coating material.

Abstract: Coated particles comprise a core particle comprising a superhard material and having an average diameter of between 1 ?m and 500 ?m. A coating material is adhered to and covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the core particle, the coating material comprising an amine terminated group. A plurality of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, nanographite, nanographene, non-diamond carbon allotropes, surface modified nanodiamond, nanoscale particles of BeO, and nanoscale particles comprising a Group VIIIA element is adhered to the coating material.

Abstract: A nanoparticle composition comprises a ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic metal nanoparticle, and a functionalized carbonaceous coating on a surface of the ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic metal nanoparticle. A magnetorheological fluid comprises the nanoparticle composition.

Abstract: Methods of treating a plurality of particles involve functionalizing a plurality of microscale diamond particles by covalently bonding one or more molecular groups selected from OH functional groups, —COOH functional groups, —R—COOH functional groups, wherein R includes alkyls, -Ph-COOH functional groups, wherein Ph includes phenolics, polymers, oligomers, monomers, glycols, sugars, ionic functional groups, metallic functional groups, and organo-metallic functional groups to outer surfaces of at least some particles of the plurality of microscale diamond particles. A stability of the functionalized plurality of microscale diamond particles in dispersion is increased as compared to a plurality of microscale diamond particles that has not been functionalized.

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 an aromatic 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 an aromatic compound; and a fluid.

Abstract: A method of mitigating corrosion of downhole articles includes mixing a plurality of nanoparticles into a first downhole fluid to form a nanoparticle fluid. The method also includes exposing a surface of a downhole article in a wellbore to the nanoparticle fluid. The method further includes disposing a barrier layer comprising a portion of the nanoparticles on the surface of the article and exposing the surface of the downhole article to a second downhole fluid, wherein the barrier layer is disposed between the second downhole fluid and the surface of the article.

Abstract: A polymer nanocomposite comprises a polymer; and a nanoparticle derivatized to include functional groups including carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, lactone, functionalized polymeric or oligomeric groups, or a combination comprising at least one of the forgoing functional groups. The variability in tensile strength and percent elongation for the polymer nanocomposite is less than the variability of these properties obtained where an underivatized nanoparticle is included in place of the derivatized nanoparticle.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pumping system (ESP) for use in a wellbore has electrical lines that include a power cable that extends into the wellbore for energizing a motor in the ESP, and windings in the motor. The lines are insulated with an inner layer that incorporates a carbon nano-material and an outer layer of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and/or a polyimide. The carbon nano-material is made up of nanotubes or nanosheets.

Abstract: A method of transferring heat to or from a downhole element comprising contacting a downhole fluid comprising a fluid medium, and a nanoparticle, the nanoparticle being uniformly dispersed in the downhole fluid, to a downhole element inserted in a downhole environment. A method of cooling a downhole element, and a method of drilling a borehole are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanoparticle modified fluid that comprises nanoparticles; and a liquid carrier; where the nanoparticles have their surfaces modified so as to increase the viscosity of the nanoparticle modified fluid above that of a comparative nanoparticle modified fluid that contains the same nanoparticles whose surfaces are not modified, when both nanoparticle modified fluids are tested at the same shear rate and temperature.