Abstract: An example a method of manufacturing a film is provided. The method involves dissolving a backbone material in a non-aqueous solvent to form a non-aqueous solution. The method further involves adding the non-aqueous solution to an aqueous solution to form a liquid-liquid interface and injecting a particulate proximate to the liquid-liquid interface the non-aqueous solution is then evaporated to form a film containing the particulate. The film may be used in devices such as sensor devices for detecting hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for emplacing a gel-form material in a porous subterranean formation, such as a hydrocarbon reservoir. The material is formed by admixing solid nanoparticles with gelation supporting amounts of surfactants or ionic species, such as ionic species of the kind that form ionic liquids. The nanoparticle to ion ratio may be selected, in combination with selecting the components of the gel-form material, so that the rheological and gelation properties of the gel-form material are adapted for a particular use, for example forming a fluid flow barrier in a reservoir.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for dispersing nanoparticles in solvents, involving the use of a cationic species and an anionic species, where at least one of the ionic species is soluble in the nonpolar solvent and the other ionic species has a relatively strong affinity for the surface of the nanoparticles. The cationic species and the anionic species together form a cluster of ion pairs shielding the nanoparticles and enhancing their dispersibility in the nonpolar solvent.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for dispersing nanoparticles in solvents, involving the use of a cationic species and an anionic species, where at least one of the ionic species is soluble in the nonpolar solvent and the other ionic species has a relatively strong affinity for the surface of the nanoparticles. The cationic species and the anionic species together form a cluster of ion pairs shielding the nanoparticles and enhancing their dispersibility in the nonpolar solvent.

Abstract: Methods of forming dispersible ferroelectric nanoparticles, including polyether-ylated barium titanate nanoparticles. Uses of the dispersible ferroelectric nanoparticles, including as a ferroelectric tracer material, optionally for detecting a presence and/or measuring a distribution of an oil or a hydrocarbon in a subsurface formation and/or flowback fluid. Compositions and methods involving an oil or hydrocarbon recovery fluid and the dispersible ferroelectric nanoparticles for detecting a presence, measuring a distribution, or both of an oil or a hydrocarbon in a subsurface formation and/or flowback fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desalinating water combined with power generation, wherein a desalination system is used for desalinating aquifer brine water and is operationally related to a power generation system, wherein such dual-purpose co-generation facility captures the natural gas entrained within the aquifer brine water.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for emplacing a gel-form material in a porous subterranean formation, such as a hydrocarbon reservoir. The material is formed by admixing solid nanoparticles with gelation supporting amounts of surfactants or ionic species, such as ionic species of the kind that form ionic liquids. The nanoparticle to ion ratio may be selected, in combination with selecting the components of the gel-form material, so that the rheological and gelation properties of the gel-form material are adapted for a particular use, for example forming a fluid flow barrier in a reservoir.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for dispersing nanoparticles in solvents, involving the use of a cationic species and an anionic species, where at least one of the ionic species is soluble in the nonpolar solvent and the other ionic species has a relatively strong affinity for the surface of the nanoparticles. The cationic species and the anionic species together form a cluster of ion pairs shielding the nanoparticles and enhancing their dispersibility in the nonpolar solvent.

Abstract: An electrochemically exfoliated phosphated (EEP) graphene is provided, including EEP graphenes having phosphorous-containing functional groups at a surface of the EEP graphene in an amount sufficient to improve thermal stability of the EEP graphene. Process for electrochemically producing the EEP graphene are also provided.

Abstract: Processes are provided for conformance control in an enhanced oil recovery operation. These processes may for example provide for the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), for example desulfated CNCs, or chitin nanoparticles, for example having an average maximum dimension of ?1 ?m. These CNCs or chitin nanoparticles may be used to generate a CNC-stabilized oil in water emulsion, which may then be injecting into a zone of a porous subsurface formation. The injected CNC or chitin-stabilized emulsion may be allowed to form strong droplet networks with by resting in situ in the zone of the porous subsurface formation, so as to increase the viscosity of the rested injected CNC or chitin-stabilized emulsion. These emulsions may be used as a selective phase blocking agent or relative permeability modifier, as the strength of the droplet network is governed by the dielectric constant of the surrounding fluid.

Abstract: An example a method of manufacturing a film is provided. The method involves dissolving a backbone material in a non-aqueous solvent to form a non-aqueous solution. The method further involves adding the non-aqueous solution to an aqueous solution to form a liquid-liquid interface and injecting a particulate proximate to the liquid-liquid interface the non-aqueous solution is then evaporated to form a film containing the particulate. The film may be used in devices such as sensor devices for detecting hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A personal electronic device enables access to and occupancy of a secure space by providing measures of behaviors, personal attributes, history of transactions and movements that are used to validate continuous authentication and authorization of the device's possessor. This addresses the vulnerability of a misplaced, lost, or stolen electronic credential. An anchor point is a physical measurement of personal physical identity such as voice recognition, fingerprint, iris scan, chemistry, or other biometric. Continuity from an anchor point is measured by GPS way points, financial transactions at familiar vendors, outgoing text messages or passphrases, gait analysis, heart rate, EKG rhythm, or transit time. A request for access is presented upon a challenge based on proximity to a portal location. A digital credential is used to encrypt two or more of the continuity milestones and an anchor point which can be matched against a previously stored or dynamically generated expected value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desalinating water combined with power generation, wherein a desalination system is used for desalinating aquifer brine water and is operationally related to a power generation system, wherein such dual-purpose co-generation facility captures the natural gas entrained within the aquifer brine water.

Abstract: A personal electronic device enables access to and occupancy of a secure space by providing measures of behaviors, personal attributes, history of transactions and movements that are used to validate continuous authentication and authorization of the device's possessor. This addresses the vulnerability of a misplaced, lost, or stolen electronic credential. An anchor point is a physical measurement of personal physical identity such as voice recognition, fingerprint, iris scan, chemistry, or other biometric. Continuity from an anchor point is measured by GPS way points, financial transactions at familiar vendors, outgoing text messages or passphrases, gait analysis, heart rate, EKG rhythm, or transit time. A request for access is presented upon a challenge based on proximity to a portal location. A digital credential is used to encrypt two or more of the continuity milestones and an anchor point which can be matched against a previously stored or dynamically generated expected value.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to cause a processor to receive a first image of a visual pattern from a sensor. The visual pattern encodes at least one compression parameter, at least one capture parameter or at least one video analytic parameter to be applied to the sensor. The code represents instructions to cause the processor to apply the at least one compression parameter, the at least one capture parameter or the at least one video analytic parameter to the sensor. The code further represents instructions to cause the processor to receive a second image from the sensor. The sensor captures or analyzes the second image according to the at least one compression parameter, the at least one capture parameter or the at least one video analytic parameter.

Abstract: An imaging method and system enables the use of available images to form a pictorial type border around a specific image that a user has selected to be printed. With the method and system of the invention, images from an order or from an electronic storage mechanism can be analyzed to determine which of the images are to be border images for a selected image. These images are then resized to form border images for the selected image.

Abstract: A method and digital camera for capturing images to be provided to a service provider. The camera includes a capture device for capturing digital images; a memory for storing the captured digital images; an interface to a communications device for transmitting the stored images to a service provider; wherein the digital interface automatically transfers images to the network service provider during a specified time period. Rechargeable batteries may be provided for powering the digital camera; wherein the communications device recharges the batteries using the interface. The camera may further include a display for displaying digital files stored in the digital memory and displaying the at least one order status confirmation file on the display.

Abstract: A method and computer software program for publishing images at an accessible website and for ordering goods and/or services to be provided by a fulfillment provider. A high resolution digital image is forwarded from a user to a fulfillment provider that stores the high resolution digital image and associates a unique ID with the high resolution image. The unique ID identifies the storage location of where the high resolution image is stored and the internet address of the fulfillment provider. The user receives the unique ID that is associated with the high resolution image. The user then forwards to an accessible website a low resolution image copy of the high resolution image and the unique ID. The website publishes the low resolution image on the accessible website along with an action button that is associated with the unique ID.

Abstract: A water treatment system comprising a separable water treatment component and a host water treatment apparatus is described. The component is useable in the host apparatus, and has an electronic circuit which is adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the host apparatus. In typical operation, the electronic circuit of the component includes at least a data tag, and the presence of the data tag is identified by the electronic circuit of the host apparatus upon correct fitment and/or installation of the component, which creates a two-way communication protocol. The host apparatus can then upload relevant data from the data tag, etc., and the component's circuit can download the relevant information from the host apparatus. The present invention provides the benefits of electrical co-operation and data tagging.

Abstract: A method for selectively optimizing a plurality of image characteristics for captured images, that includes modifying two or more one-dimensional image characteristic controls using a single loop position controller having one-dimensional control. The single loop position controller traverses useful ranges of each of the two or more one-dimensional image characteristic controls. Additionally, a user cycles through several combinations of the two or more one-dimensional image characteristic controls within a video loop; and has a means of selecting a desired image rendered according to the two or more one-dimensional image characteristic controls.