Passive Wireless Pressure Gradient Measurement System for Fluid Flow Analysis.

Using distributed MEMS pressure sensors to measure small flow rates in high resistance fluidic channels is fraught with challenges far beyond the performance of the pressure sensing element. In a typical core-flood experiment, which may last several months, flow-induced pressure gradients are generated in porous rock core samples wrapped in a polymer sheath. Measuring these pressure gradients along the flow path requires high resolution pressure measurement while contending with difficult test conditions such as large bias pressures (up to 20 bar) and temperatures (up to 125 °C), as well as the presence of corrosive fluids.

Ultra-stable CO-in-water foam by generating switchable Janus nanoparticles in-situ.

Hypothesis: The surface of silica nanoparticles (NP) may be covalently grafted with two amino ligands to balance colloidal stability and interfacial activity via formation of in situ Janus particles. The modified NP may be combined with a like-charged diamine surfactant to create ultra-stable CO foam at low NP concentrations.

Experiments: The NP colloidal stability was measured up to 80 °C in 230 g/L TDS brine with dynamic light scattering.