Abstract:
A single-stack, solar power receiver comprising both a thermal absorber layer and a photovoltaic cell layer. The stack includes an aerogel layer, that is optically transparent and thermally insulating (“OTTI”); a spectrally selective high thermal conductivity (“SSTC”) thermal absorber layer; a bottom OTTI layer; and a PV cell layer. The SSTC layer includes a set of fins that substantially blocks solar radiation absorption in the band where PV cells are most sensitive. Photons with energies above or below this band block range are absorbed by the fins and the absorbed heat is conducted to pipes in the fin structure carrying a heated thermal working fluid to heat storage. Photons with energy in the band block range are reflected by the SSTC fins to the PV cell layer. The bottom OTTI aerogel layer keeps the PV cell operating near ambient temperature. The PV cell converts incident solar radiation to electrical energy.
Abstract:
Process for continuous fabrication of highly aligned polymer films. A polymer-solvent solution is subjected to a high shear, high temperature, Couette flow to extrude a thin film having polymer chain disentanglement. The extruded thin film is frozen and the solvent is allowed to evaporate to form a dried film. The dried film is mechanically drawn using a constant force, adaptive-thickness drawing system to align polymer molecular chains through plastic deformation. A suitable polymer is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Abstract:
Process for continuous fabrication of highly aligned polymer films. A polymer-solvent solution is subjected to a high shear, high temperature, Couette flow to extrude a thin film having polymer chain disentanglement. The extruded thin film is frozen and the solvent is allowed to evaporate to form a dried film. The dried film is mechanically drawn using a constant force, adaptive-thickness drawing system to align polymer molecular chains through plastic deformation. A suitable polymer is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Abstract:
A localized heating structure, and method of forming same, for use in solar systems includes a thermally insulating layer having interconnected pores, a density of less than about 3000 kg/m3, and a hydrophilic surface, and an expanded carbon structure adjacent to the thermally insulating layer. The expanded carbon structure has a porosity of greater than about 80% and a hydrophilic surface.
Abstract translation:用于太阳能系统的局部加热结构及其形成方法包括具有互连孔,密度小于约3000kg / m 3的绝热层和亲水表面,以及与热 绝缘层。 膨胀碳结构具有大于约80%的孔隙率和亲水表面。
Abstract:
A localized heating structure, and method of forming same, for use in solar systems includes a thermally insulating layer having interconnected pores, a density of less than about 3000 kg/m3, and a hydrophilic surface, and an expanded carbon structure adjacent to the thermally insulating layer. The expanded carbon structure has a porosity of greater than about 80% and a hydrophilic surface.
Abstract translation:用于太阳能系统的局部加热结构及其形成方法包括具有互连孔,密度小于约3000kg / m 3的绝热层和亲水表面,以及与热 绝缘层。 膨胀碳结构具有大于约80%的孔隙率和亲水表面。
Abstract:
A single-stack, solar power receiver comprising both a thermal absorber layer and a photovoltaic cell layer. The stack includes an aerogel layer, that is optically transparent and thermally insulating (“OTTI”); a spectrally selective high thermal conductivity (“SSTC”) thermal absorber layer; a bottom OTTI layer; and a PV cell layer. The SSTC layer includes a set of fins that substantially blocks solar radiation absorption in the band where PV cells are most sensitive. Photons with energies above or below this band block range are absorbed by the fins and the absorbed heat is conducted to pipes in the fin structure carrying a heated thermal working fluid to heat storage. Photons with energy in the band block range are reflected by the SSTC fins to the PV cell layer. The bottom OTTI aerogel layer keeps the PV cell operating near ambient temperature. The PV cell converts incident solar radiation to electrical energy.
Abstract:
Electrochemical systems for harvesting heat energy, and associated electrochemical cells and methods, are generally described. The electrochemical cells can be configured, in certain cases, such that at least a portion of the regeneration of the first electrochemically active material is driven by a change in temperature of the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cells can be configured to include a first electrochemically active material and a second electrochemically active material, and, in some cases, the absolute value of the difference between the first thermogalvanic coefficient of the first electrochemically active material and the second thermogalvanic coefficient of the second electrochemically active material is at least about 0.5 millivolts/Kelvin.