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| Dr. Javadpour researches dispersion of Nano-particles |
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Dr. Farzam Javadpour, currently researching the dispersion of gases in porous sandstones and tight shales, is using a similar approach to study the dispersion of passive nanoparticles in porous media. His research project for the AEC, titled "Dispersion of Passive and Self-Propelled Micro- and Nano-Particles in Porous Media Saturated with Single Phase and Multi-Phase Fluid(s)," is supported by Bureau colleagues, medical faculty, and petroleum engineers. Dr. Douglas Fisher at the Alberta Research Council will build micromodels (with micro-scale pore throats) that provide a direct visualization of transport and capture of particles in porous media. Supporting him with core-flood-scale experiments to determine dispersion and filtration coefficients is Dr. Ayodeji Jeje, who is on the faculty of the University of Calgary in the |
| Dr. Farzam Javadpour, at a recent presentation of his research into the dispersion of CO2 in porous sandstones and natural gas in tight shales. |
| Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department. Dr. Matthias Amrein, an expert in particle-interaction research on the faculty of medicine at the University of Calgary, will be using an AFM to study interactions of nano-scale particles with fluid mixtures. Finally, using results of these experiments to understand critical variables and coefficients, Javadpour and Jeje will tie this work together in a predictive model that is based on mass-transport models at the pore scale that are transformed into continuum macro-scale by adopting periodic boundary conditions for contiguous unit cells and applying macro-transport theory. |
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| AEC Technical Advisory Council Reviews Projects List |
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Technical Advisory Council (TAC) members recently met at the Advanced Energy Consortium’s Houston offices to review the current portfolio of funded projects. The purpose of the meeting was to analyze respondents’ specific research projects against the consortium’s published “Needs Statement" and determine the technological gaps in the current portfolio. AEC intends to initiate additional research projects this year (2009) through direct funding and/or public request for proposals (RFP). Stay tuned for more information. |
| Discussing the breadth of nanoscale research projects in the current portfolio, from left to right: Darrin Willauer, BakerHughes; John Ullo, Schlumberger; Paul Ching, AEC; Paul Rodney, Halliburton; Rosemary Hornbrook, BP; and Leandro Balzano, Shell. |
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| AEC Announces Plans for $6 Million in Research Funding |
The AEC is pleased to announce its plans to fund >$6M U.S. in nanotechnology research in 2009. After a 5-month technical evaluation of proposals submitted to AEC from around the world, proposals from these institutions were selected as winners:
Texas - The University of Texas at Austin and Rice University
Massachusetts - Boston University, Harvard University, MIT, Tufts, and Northeastern
California - University of California, San Diego; University of California, Berkeley; and California Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology
Pennsylvania State University
Louisiana State University
University of Oklahoma
Northwestern University
University of Michigan
University of Calgary (Alberta)
Herriot Watt University (Scotland)
Kyoto University (Japan)
3M, Oxane Materials
The Alberta Research Council
AEC intends to fund specific research projects at these institutions for periods ranging from 1 to 3 years. Funds have been reserved for additional solicitations and directed research projects that will be announced later this year.
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| AEC-funded scientist receives 2008 Feynman Prize |
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The AEC congratulates James M. Tour (left), Rice University, who received one of two Foresight Institute Feynman Prizes in Nanotechnology in the experimental category for his work on synthesis of "Nanocars." He and his team at Rice University are working on first-generation "nanobots"—nonelectric, chemically structured oil-field sensors that gather and display information. The prizes, named for pioneer physicist Richard Feynman (pictured below, right), are for both experimental work and theory in advances in nanotechnology. "This year we honor major advances in both understanding and building of nanoscale structures," said Christine Peterson, President of the institute. |
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"This work moves us forward on the path to systems of complex, atomically precise molecular machinery." Prof. Tour has published 330+ articles in molecular electronics, chemical self-assembly, carbon nanotube modification and composite formation, and synthesis of molecular motors and nanocars. Synthesis and testing of nanocars and other molecular machines are providing critical insight in investigations of bottom-up molecular manufacturing. His work on nanocars has involved molecular building blocks that include electro- or photoactive functionality, and he has investigated synergistic effects of combining functional molecular building blocks.
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| BEG's Kipper, Murphy talk at Nanotechnology Colloquium |
| Jay Kipper and Sean Murphy were invited to present a program at the November 3, 2008, meeting of the Nanotechnology Colloquium, a biweekly colloquium established to review and discuss developments, applications, and commercialization of nanotechnology. This video conference meeting is broadcast to and from around the country, including Winstead PC (law firm) offices in Austin,Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, as well as at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Texas A&M, and El Paso Community College. Future speakers and logistics can be found at http://www.nanotxstate.org/Schedule.htm. |
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Collaborative Efforts Vital in AEC Research
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AEC-funded research, already starting to take shape on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin, exemplifies the interdisciplinary collaboration that will be necessary to successfully develop nano-scale solutions to reservoir-size problems. Three different engineering teams are working together and bringing their expertise to the project: Principal Investigator (PI) Chun Huh and Co-PI Steve Bryant manage a group of students in Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Professor Keith Johnston is managing a team in Chemical Engineering (next door), and Professor Tom Milner and student(s) are working in Biomedical Engineering |
| Pictured left to right: Elliott Hu (at microscope), Matt Roberts, Haiyung Yu, Dr. Chun Huh, Dr. Keith Johnston, Tina Zhang, Dr. Steve Bryant, Federico Caldelas and Pavan Kumar. |
| (across the street). Titled "Determination of Oil Saturation in Reservoir Rock Using Paramagnetic Nanoparticles and Magnetic Field," this project aims to synthesize custom paramagnetic nanoparticles that will absorb preferentially to the oil/water interface and that can be detected remotely (using a novel technique). Johnston's group (Pavan Kumar and Kenny Yu) are synthesizing iron-oxide nanoparticles with special surface coatings to control adsorption at the oil/water interface. Seung Yup Ryoo (with Dr. Milner) is studying particle responses to high-energy electromagnetic fields. Petroleum Engineering students (Haiyang Yu, Federico Caldelas, and Matt Roberts) are investigating aqueous transport of these paramagnetic nanoparticles through different reservoir rocks and their adsorption on the oil/water menisci. Finally, postdoctoral researcher (PGE) Dr. Masa Prodanovic's theoretical modeling is linking laboratory measurements and field-scale observations. If successful, this novel sensing technique could determine fluid saturations in the reservoir rock with much greater penetration than MRI or NMR (commonly used by industry today). |
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AEC Receives Large Response to Initial RFP
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| The Advanced Energy Consortium received an overwhelming response to its inaugural Request for Proposals titled "Micro- and Nanosensors for Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Applications," which was released on July 14, 2008. A wide variety of preproposals was received, and a "taxonomy" of the topics was developed to explain |
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the portfolio (see diagram). Sensor proposals fell into one of two categories—"electric" and "nonelectric"; electric sensors included proposals for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), and nonelectric sensors proposed constructing useful devices by exploiting the unique properties of a variety of nanoscale chemistries. As expected, a number of proposals aimed at building up our fundamental understanding of how nanoscale particles will move in complex fluids through semiporous oil and gas reservoir rocks (using models, simulation programs, and experimental designs). And, thankfully, there were some "Surprises and Opportunities" that were unanticipated. Finalists were contacted and have been invited to submit full proposals by October 20, 2008.
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AEC Convenes Quarterly Board of Management Meeting |
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The Advanced Energy Consortium’s Board of Management held its quarterly meeting at AEC headquarters in Houston on Monday, August 18, 2008. The nine members meet quarterly to review strategic issues related to the AEC mission. At this meeting, members discussed project contract alternatives, reviewed a study of the nanotechnology marketplace, and made plans for 2009. AEC stopped accepting submissions for its inaugural 2008 “Request for Proposals” this week, and members are now reviewing a diverse |
portfolio of possible projects to fund that were sent in by researchers from around the world. Member company technologists now begin the task of individually rating and ranking these proposals. Finalists will be announced on September 22 and asked to submit more detailed proposals. |
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Lux to help AEC Identify Leading Nanotech Companies |
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The Advanced Energy Consortium has teamed with Lux Research, Inc., which will provide market research for commercial companies engaged in nanotechnologies worldwide that can be, and are currently |
| being, applied to the exploration and production of oil and gas.
By September 2008, Lux Research will define the size, health, quality of management, products, and viability of present companies and start-ups, as well as emerging prospects. By identifying the best and most appropriate companies in the nanotechnology industry, the consortium will more effectively identify solutions to some of the technical challenges that the oil and gas industry faces today.
Lux is internationally known for its thorough research and strategic advice. More information on Lux can be found at the Lux Research website. |
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Request for Proposals Issued |
On July 14th, the Advanced Energy Consortium issued a Request for Proposals from researchers in the nanotechnology industry. AEC has four major problems in the exploration and production of oil and gas for which revolutionary solutions need to be developed.
The AEC will fund innovative research that measures the chemical and physical properties of reservoir fluids and rocks beyond the wellbore; determines the 3-D distribution of reservoir fluids and rocks; identifies the dynamic paths of reservoir fluids in 4-D; and meets the basic and ultimate requirements for sensor capabilities. For a closer look at our problem statements, click here. |
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AEC Leads Session at CleanTech 2008 |
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AEC team members Jay Kipper, Sean Murphy, and Howard Schmidt led a technical session focused on nanotechnology research and applications at the Nano Science and Technology Institute’s (NSTI) CleanTech 2008. |
| The international conference was held in Boston from June 1-5 and hosted over 4,000 registrants. The session was dedicated solely to describing the Advanced Energy Consortium’s mission, industry problems, research focus, and grant funding process. The AEC staff was joined by consortium members Lewis Norman of Halliburton and John Ullo of Schlumberger. The team described the current state of oil and gas exploration and production technology as a way of introducing the need for revolutionary (nanotechnology-based) improvements in reservoir characterization. Jay Kipper and Lewis Norman chaired other sessions at the conference. |
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AEC Hosts Pre-Solicitation Workshop
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On May 20th and 21st, the Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC) hosted 145 engineers, scientists, and researchers from around the world at its invitation-only Pre-Solicitation Workshop in Austin, Texas. The event included an “oil-field primer” for nanotechnologists presented by experts from consortium members BP, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, Schlumberger, |
| and Marathon Oil, followed by an action-packed afternoon of 20 technical talks presented by researchers that covered various nanotechnology applications in the oil field. In a series of topical panels on the second day, oil-company and nanotechnology experts reviewed and debated the difficult challenges of actively sensing and communicating parametric data obtained using micro- and nanosensors beyond the well bore. Highlights of the 2-day conference included keynote speeches by Mark Bunger, Director of Lux Research in San Francisco, and Scott Tinker, Director of AEC. |
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World’s Largest Energy Companies Create “Nano for Energy” Consortium
Aug 29, 2007 |
AUSTIN, Texas The Bureau of Economic Geology at The University of Texas at Austins Jackson School of Geosciences announces the Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC), a multimillion-dollar research consortium dedicated to the development of micro and nanotechnology applications to increase oil and gas production.
The Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University, which has extensive nanotechnology expertise, will be a collaborative technical partner.
Geoscientists believe that more oil and gas can be extracted by improving their understanding of the chemical and physical characteristics of existing oil and gas reservoirs. Using current technology, typically 60 percent of oil remains underground after primary, secondary and in some cases even tertiary recovery methods.
The consortium's primary goal is to develop intelligent subsurface micro and nanosensors that can be injected into oil and gas reservoirs to help characterize the space in three dimensions and improve the recovery of existing and new hydrocarbon resources. By leveraging existing surface infrastructure, the technology will minimize environmental impact.
Members of the privately funded consortium include BP America Inc., Baker Hughes Incorporated, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton Energy Services Inc., Marathon Oil Corp., Occidental Oil and Gas, and Schlumberger. The Bureau of Economic Geology will manage the Houston-based AEC on behalf of the funding members.
The AEC will solicit leading universities and researchers worldwide for competitive project proposals and the most promising will be funded.
The petroleum industry realizes there are exciting possibilities for the application of nanotechnologies that will provide a more comprehensive picture of existing oil and gas reserves, said Scott W. Tinker, director of the Bureau of Economic Geology. The consortium provides a vehicle for this critical pre-competitive research and sends a great message to young people that the industry is investing substantially and for the long term.
Tinker and Jay Kipper, also of the Bureau of Economic Geology, are the AECs managing directors.
We look forward to working with the world's leading energy companies and oil field service firms and with Rice University as a technical partner to make this research program a success, Tinker said. The AEC intends to kick off a series of forums starting in early 2008, bringing leading nanotechnology experts together with oil and gas exploration and production technologists. The goal is to develop a technology roadmap which will serve to more specifically target and further narrow the focus of the subsequent project solicitations.
Intelligent sensors could range from hundreds of micrometers down to hundreds of nanometers. (For reference, the human hair is about 100,000 nanometers wide.) These functional units would collect data about the physical characteristics of hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Read the original story at: http://www.bio-medicine.org/biology-technology-1/Advanced-Energy-Consortium-will-develop-micro-and-nanosensors-to-boost-energy-production-2605-1/ |
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World’s Largest Energy Companies Create “Nano for Energy” Consortium
Aug 29, 2007 |
The Advanced Energy Consortium will work with the University of Texas-Austin on innovative nanotechnology research to improve oil and natural gas production. The US Justice Department identified members of the Advanced Energy Consortium as including: BP America, ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil Corporation, Shell International E&P, Occidental Oil & Gas Corporation, Halliburton Energy Services and Schlumberger Technology Corporation. According to Consortium officials and the Justice Department, the Consortium will be run by the University of Texas’ Bureau of Economic Geology, and each founding company will contribute $1 million each year for the first three years of the project. As part of the agreement between the university and Consortium members, the University of Texas will own all research and inventions that are spun out of the work, and the companies can make and distribute any patented technology.
Read the original story at: http://www.nsti.org/news/breaking.html?id=210 |
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