Potential application of functional micro-nano structures in petroleum

Abstract

Abstract This paper takes micro-nano motors and metamaterials as examples to introduce the basic concept and development of functional micro nano structures, and analyzes the application potential of the micro-nano structure design and manufacturing technology in the petroleum industry. The functional micro-nano structure is the structure and device with special functions prepared to achieve a specific goal. New functional micro-nano structures are classified into mobile type (e.g. micro-nano motors) and fixed type (e.g. metamaterials), and 3D printing technology is a developed method of manufacturing. Combining the demand for exploration and development in oil and gas fields and the research status of intelligent micro-nano structures, we believe that there are 3 potential application directions: (1) The intelligent micro-nano structures represented by metamaterials and smart coatings can be applied to the oil recovery engineering technology and equipment to improve the stability and reliability of petroleum equipment. (2) The smart micro-nano robots represented by micro-motors and smart microspheres can be applied to the development of new materials for enhanced oil recovery, effectively improving the development efficiency of heavy oil, shale oil and other resources. (3) The intelligent structure manufacturing technology represented by 3D printing technology can be applied to the field of microfluidics in reservoir fluids to guide the selection of mine flooding agents and improve the efficiency of mining.