A sealant for an oil or geothermal well capable of setting within about 3 to about 6 hours at temperatures less than about 250° F. for shallow wells less than about 10,000 feet and deep wells greater than about 10,000 feet having MgO present in the range of from about 9.9 to about 14.5%, KH2PO4 present in the range of from about 29.7 to about 27.2%, class C fly ash present in the range of from about 19.8 to about 36.3%, class F fly ash present in the range of from about 19.8 to about 0%, boric acid or borax present in the range of from about 0.39 to about 1.45%, and water present in the range of from about 20.3 to about 21.86% by weight of the sealant.

A method of sealing wells is disclosed as are compositions for very high temperature wells is disclosed as is a composition for treating oil field wastes.

A process of washing plastics contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is provided to reduce the concentration of the PCBs. A two-step process includes a first washing step using a selected washing solution or solvent, such as, a non-flammable solvent, and followed by a second step using thermal desorption. The two-step process enables reducing the concentration of PCBs in polymers, such as recovered from shredder residue, for example, to as low as 0.253 PPM. One of the preferred solvents is Perchloroethylene.

Methods and apparatus for implementing robust and efficient cryoloop auto-centering for crystal location and alignment to the x-ray beam are provided. Image processing techniques are used for recognition of the small protein crystals. The detected crystal location enables crystal positioning in the x-ray beam, and optimization of the x-ray optics such as beam profile and intensity to the size and shape of the protein crystals.

This invention comprises a nonlinear micro- and nano-mechanical resonator that can maintain frequency of operation and amplitude of operation for a period of time after all external power has been removed from the device. Utilizing specific nonlinear dynamics of the micromechanical resonator, mechanical energy at low frequencies can be input and stored in higher frequencies modes, thus using the multiple degrees of freedom of the resonator to extend its energy storage capacity. Furthermore, the energy stored in multiple vibrational modes can be used to maintain the resonator oscillating for a fixed period of time, even without an external power supply.

A method and apparatus are provided for implementing Bragg-diffraction leveraged modulation of X-ray pulses using MicroElectroMechanical systems (MEMS) based diffractive optics. An oscillating crystalline MEMS device generates a controllable time-window for diffraction of the incident X-ray radiation. The Bragg-diffraction leveraged modulation of X-ray pulses includes isolating a particular pulse, spatially separating individual pulses, and spreading a single pulse from an X-ray pulse-train.

A first MEMS positioning assembly includes an electro-static comb drive actuator configured to selectively displace a first nanoparticle in a first dimension and an electrode configured to selectively displace the first nanoparticle in a second dimensions. Accordingly, the first nanoparticle may be selectively positioned in two dimensions to modulate the distance between the first nanoparticle and a second nanoparticle that may be coupled to a second MEMS positioning assembly. Modulating the distance between the first and second nanoparticles obtains a coupling interaction between the nanoparticles that alters at least one material property of the nanoparticles applicable to a variety of sensing and control applications.

Technologies: MICROELECTROMECHANICAL (MEMS) MANIPULATORS FOR CONTROL OF NANOPARTICLE COUPLING INTERACTIONS (IN-09-050) View patent details.

MICROELECTROMECHANICAL (MEMS) MANIPULATORS FOR CONTROL OF NANOPARTICLE COUPLING INTERACTIONS (IN-09-050B) View patent details.

The Invention 

Pulsed thermal imaging is widely used for nondestructive evaluation of advanced materials and components. Thermal imaging methods to analyze single-layer materials are well developed. However, a general method for analyzing multi-layer materials and coatings/films has not been developed due to the complexity of material systems and lack of an analytical solution. This technology provides a general method, test system including a filter, and numerical algorithm for automated analysis of thermal imaging data for multi-layer coating materials. 

Argonne’s pulsed thermal imaging-multilayer analysis method can accurately measure coating thermal conductivity and heat capacity (and/or thickness) distributions over an entire component’s surface. The method analyzes a temporal series of measured thermal imaging data to determine the properties for all coating layers based on a multilayer model. Argonne’s invention is currently the only method that can analyze coatings of more than one layer, is fully automated to produce 2D layer property images, and has validated high accuracy.

Argonne’s approach includes an infrared filter for flash lamps to eliminate the flash’s infrared radiation, ensuring accurate detection of surface temperature during pulsed thermal imaging tests. 

Key to Argonne’s thermal multi-layer analysis method is the numerical algorithm used for automated analysis of thermal imaging data for multi-layer materials, implemented in dedicated, Argonne-created software that allows for complete data-processing automation without the need of user intervention.

Benefits 

• Allows fast 2D imaging of multi-layer material properties of an object from one surface 
• All-in-one solution that includes method, optical filter, and analytical software for thermal multi-layer material analysis 
• Imaging is nondestructive and fast 
• Eliminates infrared radiation to assure data accuracy 
• Automated analysis of imaging data 

Applications and Industries 

• Multi-layer coating materials development 
• Manufacturing quality control 
• Coating degradation monitoring 
• Medical applications 

Developmental Stage 

Proof of Concept: the technology has been tested and proven to work for coated engine parts. 

Argonne Inventions 

• IN-05-125, Optical Filter for Flash Lamps in Pulsed Thermal Imaging View the patent.
• IN-14-032, Method and Apparatus for Material Thermal Property Measurement by Flash Thermal Imaging View the patent.
• IN-06-017, Method for Thermal Tomography of Thermal Effusivity from Pulsed Thermal Imaging View the patent

The Invention 

Argonne’s Enhanced Renewable Methane Production System provides a low-cost process that accelerates biological methane production rates at least fivefold. The innovative system addresses one of the largest barriers to expanding the use of renewable methane — the naturally slow rate of production. To overcome this challenge, Argonne researchers examined the natural biology of methane production, the natural processes for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, and the environmental quality of the water found in coal bed methane wells. Their research led to the novel, low-cost treatment that enhances the heating value of biogas, delivering a gas that is close to pipeline quality. This system offers an improved means of producing biological methane at wastewater treatment plants, farms, and landfills. 

Argonne’s system also simultaneously sequesters the CO2 produced during the process by reacting with magnesium and calcium silicate rocks. This innovation links the biological conversion (renewable carbon source being converted to methane and carbon dioxide) to a geochemical mechanism (producing solid carbonate-enriched minerals), thus eliminating CO2 emissions. 

Benefits 

• Produces near-pipeline-quality methane 
• Enables simultaneous carbon dioxide sequestration

Applications and Industries

• Wastewater treatment plants 
• Recovery of methane from manure and agricultural processing 
• Recovery of methane from food processing wastes 
• Methane from other carbonaceous feedstock. 

Developmental Stage 

Reduction to practice testing is complete. Researchers are now working on prototype-scale testing with field testing to follow. 

The Innovation

Production of fuels from renewable energy sources can address many important national and global issues. Rising energy costs and the uncertainty in supply of crude oil have the ability to affect national security. Rising CO2 levels resulting from the world’s thirst for liquid fuels pose substantial climate and ecosystem threats.

Photosynthetic bacteria can be a renewable source of fuel molecules. The photosynthetic machinery in these highly pigmented bacteria includes cofactors (chlorophyll, carotenoids, quinones, etc.) that are anchored in the proteins by long hydrocarbon tails. These anchors can be used directly as fuel substitutes once they are separated from the bacteria that produced them. They are more compatible with modern engines than are molecules that comprise current-day biodiesel formulations (sourced from plant fatty acids). In this alternative approach to efficient production of next-generation biofuels, Argonne researchers have engineered photosynthetic bacteria and developed specific Rhodobacter strains and processes that mass produce the fuel molecules (such as phytol, shorter isoprenols, and other atypical alcohols) and export them from the cell to be separated and used directly as fuel in compression-ignited (diesel) engines. The molecules require no further chemical upgrading for use.

The Rhodobacter species of photosynthetic bacteria are facultative and are frequently known to bloom in animal waste lagoons in the summer in the Midwest. This versatility, as such, can be exploited for adaptation of their growth to whatever feedstocks are prevalent in local areas. More than 115 engineered Rhodobacter strains are under evaluation at Argonne, and a variety of screening methodologies has allowed selection of strains that are relatively omnivorous with respect to the nutrient and energy requirements used for conversion processes (e.g., the use of light). Depending upon the type of separations process used downstream for recovery, fuel molecules can be secreted into the fermentation broth or internalized as storage reserves for later harvest and extraction from bacterial cell pellets.

Argonne is pursuing industrial partnerships to scale and commercialize this technology.

The Benefits

The Rhodobacter strains developed at Argonne have the following benefits over traditional approaches:

• Flexibility: the engineered bacteria produce biofuels using a variety of growth modes (including photosynthetic) and can thrive on carbon sources available in most areas. 
• Versatility: the bacteria can grow on waste materials (carbon and water) not currently used for food or as feedstocks for other processes. 
• Simplicity: Direct production is realized by single-celled organisms exporting product into the culture medium. 
• Compatibility: the biofuels produced can be consumed ​“as is” or mixed with other fuels without the need for refining (cracking) or distillation. 
• Transportability: Rhodobacter fuel bioreactors can be set up at any (including those seemingly most remote) location(s) for production of liquid fuel or for conversion in diesel generators to produce electricity on demand. 
• Sustainability: 30–70% of waste from the new process consists of lipids, which can be modified to produce conventional biodiesel. 

Application and Industries

• Transportation sector
• Waste-to-energy facilities
• Remote operations requiring liquid fuels or electricity

Developmental Stage

Experimental-scale production of biofuel achieved; ready for scale up.

Availability/Commercial Readiness

Available for licensing and scale up or further development to focus on production of specialized fuels or chemicals.