Abstract: A frequency modulated spectroscopy system, including a photo-detector, a band-pass filter to filter the output of the photo-detector, and a rectifier to demodulate. The band-pass filter has a relatively high Q factor. With the high Q factor band-pass filter and rectifier, a reference sinusoid is not required for demodulation, resulting in phase-insensitive spectroscopy. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to compositions and methods for the use of ionic liquids with dissolved metal compounds as catalysts for a variety of chemical reactions. Ionic liquids are salts that generally are liquids at room temperature, and are capable of dissolving a many types of compounds that are relatively insoluble in aqueous or organic solvent systems. Specifically, ionic liquids may dissolve metal compounds to produce homogeneous and heterogeneous organometallic catalysts. One industrially-important chemical reaction that may be catalyzed by metal-containing ionic liquid catalysts is the conversion of methane to methanol.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides compositions and methods for mobilizing and extracting oil and other hydrocarbons present in subsurface reservoirs. Specifically, the invention relates to surfactant compositions comprising one or more alkyl polyglycosides (APGs) and one or more aromatic alcohols; methods of using such surfactant compositions; and products produced by these methods.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for using metal oxides to upgrade oil. Metal oxides may be used as catalysts to reduce the TAN of the oil by converting carboxylic acids such as naphthenic acids into non-corrosive products. In some cases, the conversion occurs by a decarboxylation of the carboxylic acid to produce CO2. A second process promoted by metal oxides is hydrocarbon cracking. Cracking decreases the viscosity and increases the API, and produces lower molecular-weight hydrocarbons that are useful for many fuels and lubricants. Reductions in TAN and the increases in API improve the quality of increase the value of oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dark-field laser-scattering microscope for analyzing single macromolecules. More specifically, the present invention relates to a microscope with a variable wavelength, movable, collimated laser for dark-field light scattering of macromolecules in-vivo to reveal characteristics such as size, shape, molecular weight, and refractive index. The microscope is capable of constructing a three-dimensional image of a sample, with the use of a computer, without separating the sample from the in-vivo environment or contaminating the sample with fluorescent dyes.