Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices for characterizing a biomolecule parameter by a nanopore-containing membrane, and also methods for making devices that can be used in the methods and devices provided herein. The nanopore membrane is a multilayer stack of conducting layers and dielectric layers, wherein an embedded conducting layer or conducting layer gates provides well-controlled and measurable electric fields in and around the nanopore through which the biomolecule translocates. In an aspect, the conducting layer is graphene.

Abstract: A plasma torch that includes an electrode having an exterior surface and a tip having an interior surface spaced apart from and facing the exterior surface of the electrode. A process gas flow channel located being located between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip. A thermoelectric cooler having a cold plate and a hot plate is disposed between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip with the cold plate being thermally connected to the exterior surface of the electrode. According to some implementations, electrical power is deliverable to the thermoelectric cooler only up electrical power being supplied to the electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an energy harvesting technology for generating electrical energy by using a combination of a solar cell and a thermoelectric device. An energy harvesting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a solar cell for generating electrical energy based on sunlight; a heat transfer layer formed on at least one edge portion of the upper surface of the solar cell on which sunlight is incident; and a thermoelectric device including a first electrode, a second electrode, a thermoelectric channel disposed between the first and second electrodes, having a horizontal structure in which the first electrode is disposed on the heat transfer layer to be arranged horizontally with respect to the solar cell, and configured to generate additional electrical energy based on the temperature difference between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system is provided. The energy harvesting system includes a waveguide, a luminophore embedded in the waveguide, and a solar photovoltaic array or a solar photovoltaic cell coupled to the waveguide. The energy harvesting system is visibly transparent, having an average visible transmittance of greater than about 50% and a color rendering index of greater than about 80 at normal incidence to the waveguide.

Abstract: An inflatable divergent Fresnel lens and non-imaging CPC based non-tracking high concentration ratio solar concentrator system comprises a flexible domed divergent Fresnel lens, and an inflatable non-imaging CPC concentrator with a domed transparent top cover and a flat transparent bottom cover. Where, the flexible domed divergent Fresnel lens is attached onto the said domed transparent cover of the said inflatable non-imaging CPC concentrator. When in operation, the oblique incident sunlight including beam light and diffuse light onto the domed divergent Fresnel lens, is deflected to change its direction, and consequently change its original incident angle relative to the said CPC concentrator from large to small, then eventually fall in the acceptance half-angle to be concentrated by the said CPC in large concentration ratio.

Abstract: A slim solar module (1) is proposed. It comprises a solar laminate (3) comprising plural solar cells (9) interposed between front and rear cover sheets (13, 15), a frame (5) enclosing the solar laminate (3) and at least one reinforcement strut (7) arranged at a rear surface of the solar laminate (3). A ratio between a frame surface and a frame thickness shall be between 45000 and 70000. For example, the frame may have a thickness of less than 35 mm. Specifically, the frame may have a length of 1665 mm, a width of 991 mm and a thickness of 30 mm. Due to the reduced thickness, the solar module has a reduced volume being beneficial during transport to a destination location. However, the thickness has been optimized to, with the reinforcement struts, still providing for sufficient mechanical stability for the solar module.

Abstract: Shade house for casting an adjustable shadow over a surface, the shade house including: at least one frame extending in a longitudinal direction; a first set of photovoltaic panels mounted on the frame substantially orthogonally to a same orientation axis; a second set of opaque panels, for preference photovoltaic, mounted on the frame and movable in longitudinal translation relative to the frame at least between an open configuration, in which the panels are at least partially superposed over the panels in a view along the orientation axis, and a closed configuration, in which the panels at least partially extend beyond the panels in a view along the orientation axis; and an actuation system configured to actuate the second set at least from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and vice versa, the actuation system including pulleys mounted on the frame.

Abstract: A hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic power generation system with a pumped thermal storage system with a mode switchable heat pump/heat engine apparatus realizes utility scale stabilized power generation with low cost thermal storage, ultra-high conversion efficiency with hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic cogeneration system, and low capital cost with the mode switchable heat pump/heat engine apparatus. The present system heat, cool, and supply power to buildings simultaneously over the four seasons. The synergistically combination of the hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic cogeneration and the pumped thermal storage of the present invention is to make a transformative change of power supply landscape.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a drive system that includes a drive device with at least one drum for spooling at least one wire rope. A mounting device is connected to the drive device and a single-axis tracker. At least one partial pulley is connected to a torque tube. The at least one partial pulley is configured to accept the at least one wire rope and to transfer leveraged drive forces to the torque tube.

Abstract: A 3D printed three-dimensional photovoltaic system that allows for the absorption of solar energy from various angles. The solar structure has a plurality of solar cells in a substantially flat 3D polygon solar frame or substantially flat mountainous 3D solar frame having an uneven surface and a reflective surface positioned underneath the solar frame to reflect light. The plurality of solar cells are oriented at various angles with respect to said reflective surface. The plurality of solar cells are configured to receive sunlight.

Abstract: A solar panel is electrically coupled to a battery and configured to convert solar energy to electricity to charge the battery. A heating element is electrically coupled to the battery. A thermal sensor is configured to detect an ambient temperature. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a temperature stream indicative of the detected ambient temperature. A humidity sensor is configured to detect an ambient humidity. The humidity sensor is configured to produce a humidity stream indicative of the detected ambient humidity. A controller is electrically couple to the thermal sensor the humidity sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to receive a profile that includes an initial designated duration and an initial temperature needed for a designated machine, and produce a current for the heating element to heat the designated machine for the designated duration and temperature.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ternary polymer solar cell. A photoactive layer of the ternary polymer solar cell includes two non-fullerene electron acceptors with large planarity. The weight percentage composition of the photoactive layer in the ternary polymer solar cell is: 41.6-50% of polymer electron donor, 0-50% of polymer electron acceptor, and 0-50% of non-fullerene perylene diimide (PDI) electron acceptor. The non-fullerene PDI electron acceptor is added into the photoactive layer to broaden the spectral absorption of the photoactive layer, improve the phase separation of the photoactive layer and inhibit the recombination of bimolecular charges, resulting in more efficient generation and transport of charges, thereby increasing a short-circuit current density of the ternary polymer solar cell device, and finally improving the power conversion efficiency of the ternary polymer solar cell device. Moreover, a new direction is provided for the selection of the all-polymer non-fullerene acceptor.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell assembly suitable for use in a dense array concentrated photovoltaic cell module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted on a substrate and a by-pass diode associated with each cell to allow the cell to be by-passed in the electrical circuit in the event that the cell fails or has low illumination. The diodes are positioned in the shadows of the cells. The diodes provide direct pathways for heat and electricity from the cells to the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a hybrid photovoltaic (PV) panel that includes: a first photovoltaic (PV) layer comprising photovoltaic cells capable of converting energy from incident solar power into electricity; a second transparent layer arranged underneath the first PV layer such that a portion of the incident solar power passes through; and a third thermal collection layer arranged underneath the second transparent layer and comprising absorbing material capable of absorbing energy from the portion of the incident solar power that has passed through the second transparent layer, wherein the second transparent layer includes a thermally insulating material to provide a thermal barrier between the first PV layer and the third thermal collection layer such that when the PV panel is operated, the first PV layer operates at a temperature lower than a temperature of the thermal collection layer.

Abstract: A method of exporting measurements of a nanopore sensor on a nanopore based sequencing chip is disclosed. An electrical characteristic associated with the nanopore sensor is measured. The electrical characteristic associated with the nanopore sensor is processed. A summary for the electrical characteristic and one or more previous electrical characteristics is determined. The summary for the electrical characteristic and the one or more previous electrical characteristics are exported. Determining the summary includes determining that the electrical characteristic and at least a portion of the one or more previous electrical characteristics correspond to a base call event at the nanopore sensor. The summary represents the electrical characteristic and the at least a portion of the one or more previous electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A system includes a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, each having a first end, an opposite second end, a first side extending from the first end to the second end, a second side opposite the first side and extending from the first end to the second end, a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least one solar cell, an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, and a frontsheet juxtaposed with a first surface of the encapsulant. A second surface of the first photovoltaic module proximate to a second side thereof is attached to the first surface of the second photovoltaic module proximate to the first side thereof. A second surface of the first photovoltaic module proximate to a second end thereof is attached to the first surface of the second photovoltaic module proximate to the first end thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell system performance recovery method includes applying a DC current load pulse waveform to one or more of the fuel cells for a recovery period sufficient to desorb a contaminant from the one or more fuel cells.

Abstract: Photovoltaic panels may be aggregated in various ways and may be aggregated with the use of a backplane where the backplane comprises electrical connectors positioned to electrically connect the PV panels. The PV panels may have various sizes and shapes and may overlap one or more other PV panels or PV panels being aggregated.

Abstract: An extension panel may include a mating surface shaped to interface with a back surface of a clamp that includes a mounting hole corresponding to a bolt slot in the back surface of the clamp to accommodate a single bolt passing through the extension panel and the clamp. The extension panel may also include a pair of flanges projecting outward from the mating surface and positioned to be on either side of the clamp. The extension panel may also include a flat top surface generally parallel and aligned linearly with another flat top surface of a flexible member. The extension flat top surface may be sized to be approximately a same width as the flexible member at a first end of the extension flat top surface proximate the mating surface and may flare out as the extension flat top surface extends away from the flexible member.

Abstract: A complex energy generation device includes: a heat storage tube having an inlet portion into which heat medium oil flows, and an outlet portion from which the heat medium oil is discharged, the heat storage tube having a slit; a heat-exchange plate having a plurality of insertion holes formed on a lower surface thereof along a longitudinal direction thereof; a plurality of solar modules each including a solar panel having a plurality of solar cells on a front surface of the solar panel, and a heat-exchange panel laminated on a rear surface of the solar panel; and a plurality of heat collection modules each including a heat-exchange block and a heat collection tube.