Abstract: Disclosed are high temperature and high pressure fluid loss additives comprising: a) a humic substance, and b) a tetrapolymer prepared from polymerizing: i) acrylamide (AM), ii) 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), iii) 1-allyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl sulfonate, and iv) acrylic acid. The use of such high temperature and high pressure fluid loss additives in water-based drilling fluids in oil-field drilling operations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a porous substrate, a wetting region extending through a first portion of the porous substrate from a first side of the substrate, in which the wetting region is permeable to fluid transport, and a non-wetting region extending through a second portion of the porous substrate from a second side of the substrate, in which the non-wetting region is operable to switch between a first state impermeable to fluid transport and a second state permeable to fluid transport.

Abstract: A modular device for use in emergency or everyday applications and having a plurality of modular components that are interchangeable with one another depending on the particular desired use. The modular device generally includes a plurality of interchangeable load modules, wherein each of the load modules has a load connected thereto, wherein the load is different for each load modules, and at least one power module having at least one battery therein, wherein the power module removably separately connects to each of the load modules and wherein the battery(ies) electrically connects to the load for powering the load. The load modules and power modules may be connected in various manners, such as a push-fit, friction, threadably, slidably, or various other manners to allow quick, easy, and reliable connectivity. The load of the load modules may be comprised of lights, external connectors, radios, MP3 players, or various other electrical devices.

Abstract: A battery system for efficiently operating a battery under various circumstances, such as relating to extreme temperature ranges and varying load (i.e. current) ranges. The battery system generally includes at least one first cell having a first chemistry, at least one second cell having a second chemistry and a controller in communication with the first cell and the second cell. The controller is adapted to employ a chemical reaction of the first chemistry in the first cell or the second chemistry in the second cell. The first chemistry is different than the second chemistry, wherein the first chemistry and the second chemistry may be adapted to provide current over varying temperature ranges or to provide current for varying current loads.

Abstract: A modular device for use in emergency or everyday applications and having a plurality of modular components that are interchangeable with one another depending on the particular desired use. The modular device generally includes a plurality of interchangeable load modules, wherein each of the load modules has a load connected thereto, wherein the load is different for each load modules, and at least one power module having at least one battery therein, wherein the power module removably separately connects to each of the load modules and wherein the battery(ies) electrically connects to the load for powering the load. The load modules and power modules may be connected in various manners, such as a push-fit, friction, threadably, slidably, or various other manners to allow quick, easy, and reliable connectivity. The load of the load modules may be comprised of lights, external connectors, radios, MP3 players, or various other electrical devices.

Abstract: An electrical device having a reserve battery activation system for efficiently activating an electrical device via a low mechanical force. The electrical device having a reserve battery activation system generally includes a housing, such as flashlight housing, FM radio housing, MP3 player housing, etc., a first actuator connected to the housing, wherein the first actuator is at least partially external to the housing, a linkage operatively connected to the first actuator, a second actuator operatively connected to the linkage opposite the first actuator, wherein the second actuator is internal to the housing and at least one reserve battery for powering at least a part of the electrical device, wherein the at least one reserve battery is internal to the housing. The reserve battery is operatively connected to the second actuator for being activated via the second actuator via applying a low mechanical force to the first actuator.

Abstract: An autonomous power module is a module that supplies electrical power to the electronic devices or systems it is designed to power. It consists of a battery module, energy harvesting module and controller module. The purpose of the autonomous power module is to provide means of supplying electrical power to the electronic devices for prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: A reserve battery having a prolonged shelf life that may be used in a wide variety of consumer related and non consumer related electrical devices. The reserve battery includes an outer enclosure, an internal breaking element extending directly from an inner surface of the outer enclosure and a breakable barrier positioned within the outer enclosure. At least one reservoir and at least one chamber are defined by the breakable barrier and the outer enclosure. An electrolyte material is contained within the reservoir and a plurality of electrodes are contained within the chamber. The plurality of electrodes receive the electrolyte material to activate the battery when manual pressure is applied to the internal breaking element to move the internal breaking element inwardly thus breaking the breakable barrier to allow passage of the electrolyte from within the reservoir to saturate the separator within the chamber.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a porous substrate, a wetting region extending through a first portion of the porous substrate from a first side of the substrate, in which the wetting region is permeable to fluid transport, and a non-wetting region extending through a second portion of the porous substrate from a second side of the substrate, in which the non-wetting region is operable to switch between a first state impermeable to fluid transport and a second state permeable to fluid transport.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a porous substrate, a non-wetting region extending through a first portion of the porous substrate from a first side of the substrate, in which the non-wetting region is impermeable to fluid transport, and a wetting region extending through a second portion of the porous substrate from a second side of the substrate, in which the wetting region is permeable to fluid transport.

Abstract: A method of activating a micro-cell in which the micro-cell includes a first compartment, a second compartment, a fluid in the first compartment, an element in the second compartment and a porous barrier separating the first compartment from the second compartment. The porous barrier, in a first state, is operable to prevent the fluid from entering the second compartment whereas the porous barrier, in a second state, is operable, in response to an event, to allow the fluid to enter the second compartment and interact with the element in the second compartment so as to generate an activation signal.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first cell, a second cell and a barrier isolating a fluid in the first cell from the second cell in which the barrier, in response to an activation signal, changes to a second state to allow the fluid to pass into the second cell and activate the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An apparatus that comprises a membrane having a plurality of fluid-support-structures and openings located between the fluid-support-structures. The fluid-support-structures have at least one dimension that that is about 1 millimeter or less. The apparatus also comprises a wicking material positioned adjacent to a surface of the membrane. When a fluid locatable on a surface of the fluid-support-structures penetrates the fluid-support-structures, at least a portion of the fluid passes through the openings and into the wicking material.

Abstract: In an electrostatic driving structure for a MEMS device or other electrostatically-driven device, non-insulating material is disposed on or adjacent a gap on the surface of a dielectric between adjacent electrodes and is electrically coupled to a source of potential, so as to form an electrostatic shield which reduces the effect of mobile charges in the dielectric gap on the forces generated by the electrostatic driving structure. The shield is made of non-insulating material and may, for example, be formed by plating of metal or epitaxial deposition of silicon onto the electrode.

Abstract: In an electrostatic driving structure for a MEMS device or other electrostatically-driven device, non-insulating material is disposed on or adjacent a gap on the surface of a dielectric between adjacent electrodes and is electrically coupled to a source of potential, so as to form an electrostatic shield which reduces the effect of mobile charges in the dielectric gap on the forces generated by the electrostatic driving structure. The shield is made of non-insulating material and may, for example, be formed by plating of metal or epitaxial deposition of silicon onto the electrode.