Evaluation of Electron Tomography Capabilities for Shale Imaging.

Despite the advantageous resolution of electron tomography (ET), reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) images from multiple two-dimensional (2D) projections presents several challenges, including small signal-to-noise ratios, and a limited projection range. This study evaluates the capabilities of ET for thin sections of shale, a complex nanoporous medium. A numerical phantom with 1.

Micro X-ray fluorescence reveals pore space details and spatially-resolved porosity of rock-based microfluidic devices.

Characterization of microscopic details of the fabric of mudstones and shales (, structure and composition) is important to understand their storage and transport properties. Current characterization methods struggle to probe reliably multiple scales of interest (, pore and fracture) and measure properties at the finest resolution under representative conditions. Micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) is a high-performance imaging technique that produces elemental images at sub-10 μm spatial resolution and could offer insight into a diversity of shale properties, such as mineral composition, porosity, and pressure gradients.

A new mini-triaxial cell for combined high-pressure and high-temperature in situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography experiments up to 400°C and 24 MPa.

A new experimental triaxial cell for in situ synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography aimed at imaging small samples of (6 mm × 19 mm) at high temperatures (up to 400°C) and pressures (up to 24 MPa confining) is presented. The system has flow-through capabilities, independent axial and radial pressure control, and has been developed and tested at the 8.3.

Strong specific hydroxide ion binding at the pristine oil/water and air/water interfaces.

Despite claims, based largely on molecular dynamics simulations, that the surface of water at the air/water interface is acidic, with a positive charge, there is compelling experimental evidence that it is in fact basic, with a negative charge due to the specific adsorption of hydroxide ions. The oil/water interface behaves similarly. The pH dependence of the zeta potentials of oil drops has been measured by two very different techniques: on a single drop in a rotating electrophoresis cell and on about 10(14) submicrometer drops in a 2 vol % emulsion by an electroacoustic method to give similar results with a sigmoidal pH dependence characterized by an isoelectric point at pH 2-3 and a half adsorption point about pH 5.