Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a photovoltaic module, or PV module, comprising an array of photovoltaic cells, or PV cells, and electrical interconnects. The array of PV cells comprises N portions, N?2, where the portions comprise, each, disjoint sets of PV cells of the array. The electrical interconnects connect the PV cells and the N portions of the array so as for PV cells within each of said portions to be electrically connected in parallel and the N portions to be connected in series. The PV cells and the portions are connected, via said interconnects, so to output an electrical current, in operation. The electrical interconnects are otherwise configured to provide electrical signals from each of the N portions. The invention is further directed to related systems and methods of fabrication and operation.

Abstract: Adsorption heat exchanger devices (11, 25) are provided for use in solid sorption refrigeration systems (1) together with methods for making such devices and adsorbent structures therefor. The methods include applying a curable binder, in solution in a solvent, to granular adsorbent material, and then evaporating the solvent and curing the binder. The curable binder solution is sufficiently dilute that, during evaporation of the solvent, the binder becomes concentrated around contact points between granules (18) of the adsorbent material whereby localized bonds (19) are formed around the contact points on curing of the binder.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a microfabricated chip having a surface with one or more cavities formed thereon, the cavities including sensing components, one or more lids, each covering said surface so as to close at least one of said cavities, the lids contacting rims that delimit said cavities on said surface. Electric circuit portions join, each, a respective one of the lids, to allow the lids to be partly dissolved, electrochemically, responsive to being exposed to an electrochemical solution. In addition, masking material portions cover peripheral regions of the lids at the level of the rims, so as to seal the lids and shield such peripheral regions from said electrochemical solution, in operation. Related apparatuses and sensing methods may be provided.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus comprising a portable sensor body. The sensor body includes a support with one or more sensing electrodes, and electric connections connecting to the electrodes. The apparatus further includes a storage container, designed to receive at least a part of the support that includes one or more of the electrodes, for storing the sensor body. The container comprises a deformable wiper. The wiper is shaped correspondingly with the support and electrodes thereof, to wipe liquid (and/or other materials contained therein) off the support responsive to inserting the latter in the container and, conversely, responsive to de-inserting the support from the container. Mutually corresponding parts of the sensor body and the container may form a fastener, so as to be able to create a non-permanent joint between the sensor body and the container responsive to the sensor body being fully inserted in the container.

Abstract: A method of making integrated adsorption and heat exchanger devices for solid sorption refrigeration systems (1). An integrated adsorption and heat exchanger device comprises a solid material having formed therein both a porous adsorption structure, which is pervious to an adsorbate of said system, and a heat exchanger structure, which is impervious to said adsorbate, for heat exchange with the porous adsorption structure in operation of the system.

Abstract: A device for converting heat into mechanical energy is disclosed. The device includes a channel flow boiler having at least one channel adapted to heat a working fluid for generating a liquid-gas mixture; an expansion device adapted to expand the liquid-gas mixture; and a movable element arranged such that the expanding liquid-gas mixture at least partially converts an internal and/or kinetic energy of the liquid-gas mixture into mechanical energy associated with the movable element; wherein the channel flow boiler and/or the expansion device is adapted to supply heat to the liquid-gas mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a flow cell device. The device comprises: an exchange membrane, extending essentially in a plane; an adhesive, at a periphery of the membrane; and two half-cells, each on a respective side of said plane, the half-cells sandwiching the membrane. The membrane spans a smaller area than each of the areas of the half-cells, whereby a peripheral space is defined at the periphery of the membrane between two opposing faces of the half-cells. This space is at least partly filled with an adhesive, so as to secure the two half-cells to each other with the membrane encapsulated therein. The present invention is further directed to a method of fabrication of such a flow cell device.

Abstract: A porous substrate susceptible to one or both of hydroxylation and alkoxylation by a first protic solvent is exposed to a first relative pressure of the first protic solvent. The porous substrate includes a first plurality of pores having a first average pore diameter and a second plurality of pores having a second average pore diameter that is greater than the first average pore diameter. The first relative pressure is effective to one or both of hydroxylate or alkoxylate substantially only pores of the first average pore diameter to form a first modified porous substrate. The first modified porous substrate is reacted with a first functionalizing reagent that is effective to functionalize one or both of hydroxylated or alkoxylated surfaces, thereby functionalizing substantially only the first plurality of the pores, to form a first functionalized porous substrate.

Abstract: A unit for exchanging heat between a working fluid and a heat transfer fluid by means of adsorption. The heat exchange unit comprises a tube hosting the heat transfer fluid and being surrounded by mass channel coils comprising a metallic spacer strip in physical contact with the tube for permitting heat conduction and a metal foil strip supported by the spacer strip, a width of the foil strip exceeding a width of the spacer strip in an axial direction of the tube. Additionally, a heat exchange system comprising a plurality of the heat exchange units is provided, and a method for manufacturing a heat exchange unit is provided.

Abstract: Adsorption heat exchanger devices (11, 30) are provided for solid sorption refrigeration systems (1). Such a device includes a heat exchanger (12) having a plurality of projections (17) arranged for extending into an adsorbate of the system (1) in use. An adsorption structure (13, 31) is formed on the heat exchanger (12) for adsorption of said adsorbate. The adsorption structure (13, 31) comprises a plurality of elongate adsorption elements (20) extending outwardly from each of said projections (17) of the heat exchanger (12).

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat exchange unit for exchanging heat between a working fluid and a heat transfer fluid by means of adsorption. The heat exchange unit comprises a tube hosting the heat transfer fluid and being surrounded by mass channel coils comprising a metallic spacer strip in physical contact with the tube for permitting heat conduction and a metal foil strip supported by the spacer strip, a width of the foil strip exceeding a width of the spacer strip in an axial direction of the tube. Additionally, a heat exchange system comprising a plurality of the heat exchange units is provided.

Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus comprising: at least one photovoltaic surface electrically connected to a set of photovoltaic electrodes; and a chemical reactor electrically connected to the set of photovoltaic electrodes. The chemical reactor enables N pairwise fluid contacts among k chemical fluids, with k?2 and N?4 and comprises: a reaction layer extending in a plane subtended by two directions; N chemical cells, each including two circuit portions, designed for enabling circulation of two of the k chemical fluids, respectively, the two circuit portions intersecting each other, thereby enabling one pairwise fluid contact for the two of the k chemical fluids; and a fluid distribution circuit comprising: k sets of inlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to one of the two directions; and k sets of outlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to the inlet orifices, and wherein, each circuit portion connects an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice.

Abstract: A sensor device, such as a biosensor, may comprise a polymer substrate, which is structured so as to form sets of microneedles and respective vias. The microneedles extend, each, from a base surface of the substrate. Each of the vias extends through a thickness of the substrate, thereby forming a corresponding set of apertures on the base surface. Each of the apertures is adjacent to a respective one of the microneedles. The device further may comprise two or more electrodes, these including a sensing electrode and a reference electrode. Each electrode may comprise an electrically conductive material layer that coats a region of the substrate, so as to coat at least some of the microneedles and neighboring portions of said base surface. Related devices, apparatuses, and methods of fabrication and use of such devices may be provided.

Abstract: A porous substrate susceptible to one or both of hydroxylation and alkoxylation by a first protic solvent is exposed to a first relative pressure of the first protic solvent. The porous substrate includes a first plurality of pores having a first average pore diameter and a second plurality of pores having a second average pore diameter that is greater than the first average pore diameter. The first relative pressure is effective to one or both of hydroxylate or alkoxylate substantially only pores of the first average pore diameter to form a first modified porous substrate. The first modified porous substrate is reacted with a first functionalizing reagent that is effective to functionalize one or both of hydroxylated or alkoxylated surfaces, thereby functionalizing substantially only the first plurality of the pores, to form a first functionalized porous substrate.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.

Abstract: A heat exchange device having a thermally conductive substrate, an intermediate layer, and an adsorbent material. The intermediate layer at least partially covers the thermally conductive substrate. A plurality of openings is formed at a surface of the intermediate layer. The openings have an elongated shape in a direction from an outer surface of the intermediate layer towards the thermally conductive substrate, and the adsorbent material at least partially fills the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus comprising: at least one photovoltaic surface electrically connected to a set of photovoltaic electrodes; and a chemical reactor electrically connected to the set of photovoltaic electrodes. The chemical reactor enables N pairwise fluid contacts among k chemical fluids, with k?2 and N?4 and comprises: a reaction layer extending in a plane subtended by two directions; N chemical cells, each including two circuit portions, designed for enabling circulation of two of the k chemical fluids, respectively, the two circuit portions intersecting each other, thereby enabling one pairwise fluid contact for the two of the k chemical fluids; and a fluid distribution circuit comprising: k sets of inlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to one of the two directions; and k sets of outlet orifices sequentially alternating along lines parallel to the inlet orifices, and wherein, each circuit portion connects an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice.