Abstract:
Photocatalysts, electrets, and hydrophobic surfaces are geometrically integrated to achieve a self-cleaning air filter, fabric, or surface. This can be incorporated into surfaces and apparel to wick, disinfect, deodorize, and clean their surfaces with the action of the photocatalyst, water, and light on absorbed chemicals, bacteria, funguses, viruses, and particulates. The photocatalysts can be electrically connected to achieve electro-osmotic control and electrical energy output. This leads to protection from chemicals, bacteria, funguses, viruses, and greater humidity control and comfort in apparel, structures, air cleaners, and in particular, eyewear.
Abstract:
Artificial stoma formed with multilayered structures that actuate with humidity, temperature, chemical environment or light. These actuators can be incorporated into shoes, apparel, fuel cells, machinery, and buildings to control fluid flow or diffusion to regulate humidity, temperature, chemical environment, or light. These actuators can be used as sensors, modify structure, or appearance for greater function, comfort, or aesthetics.
Abstract:
With small dimensional optics, small photovoltaic cells have heat distribution surfaces, very high concentrations and subsequently high utilization of the semiconductors can be achieved. Discrete photodiodes can be formed as spherical and other geometric shaped, cells with high performance characteristics, precision dimensions, and low cost. This invention positions discrete photovoltaic cells by using their geometric shape, elastic electrical mounts, couples them to small optical concentrator systems of refractory and or reflective optics and makes electrical network connections to those photodiodes, reliably, adjusting for thermal expansion, and at low cost to form low cost and reliable electrical power arrays. The electrical connectors and network can form part of the reflective optics and heat removal system. The electrical interconnection system can also form a reliable network that is self -correcting and tolerant of point failures.
Abstract:
A membrane enclosed fluid diffusion system for insect attractants and repellents, auto thermostatic heaters, and chemical delivery using an additive and/or selectively permeable membrane that interacts with the enclosed fluid to maintain steady delivery rates over a range of temperature and humidity. Systems can be formed with permeable membranes, impermeable membranes, chemical hydrates, wicks, scent fluids, fuel fluids, catalytic heaters, energy conversion devices, visible images, infrared images, trapping systems, sound systems, electronics, and apparel. The device results in efficient and effective devices for mosquito control drug delivery, and portable heaters.
Abstract:
A goggle (4) resistant to fogging is provided. The goggle consists of a water wicking and thermal transfer face gasket (1) combined with heat transfer inlets and outlets (41, 59) optimized for heat transfer to air flow through the goggle. With low airflow resistance in the vertically oriented inlets and outlets, the goggle ventilates by natural convection removing moisture and keeping the goggle from fogging. Simultaneously, the present goggle results in greater comfort for the user.
Abstract:
A progressive liquid fill capacity indicator located inside a vapor diffusion membrane liquid reservoir that utilizes index refraction matching of liquid contact to components, dyes, and surface tension gradients. This fill capacity indicator is low cost and reliable. It enables users to visually assess readiness and remaining liquid capacity to deliver attraction, masking, and repulsion scent vapors from wearable and stationary devices to repel or attract mosquitos and arthropods.
Abstract:
A photovoltaic panel mounting system utilizes rubber tires to anchor and position photovoltaic panels to face the sun and resist wind forces. The shaded interior cavity of the rubber tires physically and thermally protects electronics and batteries. The tires may be filled with soil, concrete, water, or aggregate to provide further ballasting, enabling a photovoltaic mount system to withstand high velocity winds. Telescoping conduits may house wiring for the system and allow for resizing and reshaping of the mounting system. The mounting system decreases used tire waste and provides low cost components and portability.
Abstract:
An eyewear has a gasket between the user and lenses that electrostatically filterlthe air flow of particulate while still permitting a gentle flow of air to maintain comfort to the wearer of the eyewear, and prevent fogging on the lenses. The electret filter material forms a perimeter around the eyes and lenses to remove, small to large particulates, from microns to millimeters. The filters can be formed with a choice of face contact gasket, baffles, coarse filters, and electret filter density.! Baffles or coarse filters over the electret filters are used to protect the electret filter from damage from larger particles and transfer heat to the airflow.
Abstract:
A portable catalytic combustion heater, wherein fuel vapor (11) and air (10) are supplied to a catalyst (6) which promotes the flameless combustion of fuel and releases that. The fuel is supplied as a liquid, passes through a selectively permeable membrane (8) such that fuel vapor exits the membrane and is fed to the catalyst (6). Additional features include porous supports and means of enhancing and diminishing the catalytic rate of combustion and controlling the heat output.