Subterranean formation characterization using microelectromechanical system (mems) devices

A method comprising:

• storing in a storage unit of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) analysis subsystem a designator of each MEMS device in a set of MEMS devices disposed in a circulating fluid in a wellbore, the designator of each MEMS device in the set being machine-scannable from each MEMS device;
• scanning a plurality of designators with a MEMS scanner in response to circulation of the circulating fluid;
• detecting with the MEMS analysis subsystem a subset of MEMS devices from the set of MEMS devices from the set of MEMS devices based on the plurality of designators scanned by the MEMS scanner;
• and
• determining a characteristic of a fracture within a subterranean formation surrounding the wellbore based on the subset of MEMS devices.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored therein, the instructions readable by a processor and, when read and executed, configured to cause the processor to:

• store in a storage unit of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) analysis subsystem a designator of each MEMS device in a set of MEMS devices disposed in a circulating fluid in a wellbore, the designator of each MEMS device in the set being machine-scannable from each MEMS device;
• scan a plurality of designators with a MEMS scanner in response to circulation of the circulating fluid;
• detect with the MEMS analysis subsystem a subset of MEMS devices from the set of MEMS devices based on the plurality of designators scanned by the MEMS scanner;
• and
• determine a characteristic of a fracture within a subterranean formation surrounding the wellbore based on the subset of MEMS devices.