Abstract: Catalyst particles and methods for making same are disclosed herein. The catalyst particles can include a ceramic support containing silica and alumina. The ceramic support can have a macropore concentration of about 15% to about 45%, a mesopore concentration of about 20% to 50%, and a micropore concentration of about 8% to about 30% based on the total pore volume of the ceramic support. The ceramic support can also have a surface area of about 0.5 m2/g to about 50 m2/g. The catalyst particles can have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D in accordance with ISO 13503-5.

Abstract: A catalytic proppant and methods for making and using same are disclosed herein. The catalytic proppant can include a proppant support containing silica and alumina. The proppant support can have a macropore concentration of about 15% to about 45%, a mesopore concentration of about 20% to 50%, and a micropore concentration of about 8% to about 30% based on the total pore volume of the proppant support. The proppant support can also have a surface area of about 0.5 m2/g to about 50 m2/g. The catalytic proppant can have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D in accordance with ISO 13503-5.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining subterranean fracture closure are disclosed herein. The methods can include electrically energizing a casing of a wellbore that extends from a surface of the earth into a subterranean formation having a fracture that is at least partially filled with an electrically conductive proppant and measuring a first electric field response at the surface or in an adjacent wellbore at a first time interval to provide a first field measurement. The methods can also include measuring a second electric field response at the surface or in the adjacent wellbore at a second time interval to provide a second field measurement and determining an increase in closure pressure on the electrically conductive proppant from a difference between the first and second field measurements.

Abstract: Electrically conductive proppant particles having electrically conductive coatings are disclosed. The electrically conductive proppant particles can include a proppant particle having less than about 30% crush at 4,000 psi and a specific gravity of about 4 g/cm3 or less and a coating of an adhesive material or optionally an initial layer of nickel formed on an outer surface of the proppant particle. An electrically conductive material deposited on an outer surface of the adhesive material or the initial layer of nickel. Methods for making and using such electrically conductive proppant particles having electrically conductive coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing electrically-conductive proppant particles are disclosed. The methods can include preparing a slurry containing water, a binder, and a raw material having an alumina content, atomizing the slurry into droplets, and coating seeds containing alumina with the droplets to form a plurality of green pellets. The green pellets can be contacted with an activation solution containing at least one catalytically active material to provide activated green pellets including the at least one catalytically active material. The method can include sintering the activated green pellets to provide a plurality of proppant particles. The plurality of proppant particles can be contacted with a plating solution containing one or more electrically-conductive material to provide electrically-conductive proppant particles.

Abstract: Electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles and methods for producing such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles from an alumina-containing raw material. Methods for using such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining subterranean fracture closure are disclosed herein. The methods can include electrically energizing a casing of a wellbore that extends from a surface of the earth into a subterranean formation having a fracture that is at least partially filled with an electrically conductive proppant and measuring a first electric field response at the surface or in an adjacent wellbore at a first time interval to provide a first field measurement. The methods can also include measuring a second electric field response at the surface or in the adjacent wellbore at a second time interval to provide a second field measurement and determining an increase in closure pressure on the electrically conductive proppant from a difference between the first and second field measurements.

Abstract: Electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles and methods for producing such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles from an alumina-containing raw material. Methods for using such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: Electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles and methods for producing such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles from an alumina-containing raw material. Methods for using such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: Electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles and methods for producing such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles from an alumina-containing raw material. Methods for using such electrically-conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing electrically-conductive proppant particles are disclosed. The methods can include preparing a slurry containing water, a binder, and a raw material having an alumina content, atomizing the slurry into droplets, and coating seeds containing alumina with the droplets to form a plurality of green pellets. The green pellets can be contacted with an activation solution containing at least one catalytically active material to provide activated green pellets including the at least one catalytically active material. The method can include sintering the activated green pellets to provide a plurality of proppant particles. The plurality of proppant particles can be contacted with a plating solution containing one or more electrically-conductive material to provide electrically-conductive proppant particles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining subterranean fracture closure are disclosed herein. The methods can include electrically energizing a casing of a wellbore that extends from a surface of the earth into a subterranean formation having a fracture that is at least partially filled with an electrically conductive proppant and measuring a first electric field response at the surface or in an adjacent wellbore at a first time interval to provide a first field measurement. The methods can also include measuring a second electric field response at the surface or in the adjacent wellbore at a second time interval to provide a second field measurement and determining an increase in closure pressure on the electrically conductive proppant from a difference between the first and second field measurements.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for the fabrication of randomly arranged, antireflective structures on surfaces of optical substrates and to optics having antireflective coatings comprising random surface structures.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a test media reader module including a housing, a membrane, and an optical imager. The housing is configured to receive a test media adapter and has a barrier wall configured to separate the test media adapter from an interior of the housing. The barrier wall includes a window having an interior side and an exterior side. The membrane is transparent to a wavelength useful for imaging test media in the test media adapter. The membrane has a reactive region and overlies at least a portion of the exterior side of the window. The optical imager is located interior to the housing and is configured to image the test media located on the exterior side of the window along an optical path extending through the window and the membrane.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a test media reader module including a housing, a membrane, and an optical imager. The housing is configured to receive a test media adapter and has a barrier wall configured to separate the test media adapter from an interior of the housing. The barrier wall includes a window having an interior side and an exterior side. The membrane is transparent to a wavelength useful for imaging test media in the test media adapter. The membrane has a reactive region and overlies at least a portion of the exterior side of the window. The optical imager is located interior to the housing and is configured to image the test media located on the exterior side of the window along an optical path extending through the window and the membrane.