Abstract: To provide an illuminator for plant growth that can illuminate a plant intermittently (pulse illumination) or continuously to cause an effect similar to sunbeam spot phenomenon, thereby accelerating photosynthetic reaction. Specifically, the illuminator for plant growth includes a light source composed of a semiconductor optical device, a control unit for outputting a turn-on timing signal for the light source, a rhythm signal detecting unit for A/D converting an input rhythm signal, a timing signal modulating unit for modulating the turn-on timing signal with the output signal from the rhythm signal detecting unit, and a pulse drive unit for pulse-modulating a power signal with the modulated turn-on timing signal outputted from the timing signal modulating unit and supplying the pulse-modulated power signal to the light source.

Abstract: A cover element for greenhouses or the like is formed as a panel-like element that includes a first substantially transparent layer having alternate strips with optical means for deviating and concentrating light that are alternated with optically neutral strips, and a second partially opaque layer having optically neutral and substantially transparent strips that are alternated with opaque strips and that include a photovoltaic element.

Abstract: Porous adaptive membrane structures having movable membranes are provided. The structures can be made to change their gas, liquid and/or particulate permeability in response to surrounding environmental conditions. Applications includes protective apparel that is comfortable to wear wherein the level of protection provided is based on conditions in the environment. Hence, the protective apparel is highly breathable and comfortable in a non-hazardous environment but impermeable or only semipermeable in a hazardous environment.

Abstract: System for conditioning crops e.g. in a greenhouse, comprising climate control means which are arranged for providing a local microclimate area around the relevant crop, which climate control means comprising first means at a first location close to the crop, which are arranged for local humidification and simultaneous cooling or heating the local microclimate area, as well as second means at a second location close to the crop, which are arranged for dehumidification and simultaneous cooling or heating the local microclimate area.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-layered heat insulating window panel for constructing wall and/or roof surfaces of a greenhouse, comprising: a frame structure, a first pane (12), particularly a customary glass pane which has an edge that is framed and attached in the frame structure and which is kept in position by the frame structure, and a supplementary pane, for example, deep drawn from plastic material, a supplementary pane on at least one surface of the first glass pane, forming a double-glazing arrangement, wherein the supplementary pane has a tray-like shape and the circumferential edge region is glued hermetically to the first pane and wherein the cavity is evacuated and in the interior the supplementary pane is supported by means of a number of supporting elements in order to prevent the pane from collapsing because of the external atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A green building is disclosed. The green building includes at least one plant growing area with plants, at least one lighting device and a heat pump. The lighting device radiates light onto the plant growing area. The heat pump receives environmental heat.

Abstract: A solar powered tanning booth or bed includes a wheeled frame and a readily detachable transparent cover. In cold weather, a person can comfortably enjoy solar tanning inside the booth. By detaching the cover, it can be used in cold or inclement weather to protect fragile plants. With the cover detached, a person can comfortably enjoy solar tanning in warm weather by reclining on the booth. The frame includes a peripheral member having a flat upper surface supporting a normally planar body support panel. A brace under the panel is normally spaced from the panel but loading the panel causes it to sag into load supporting engagement with the brace and become upwardly concave which is a more comfortable situation.

Abstract: Strip assembly consisting of a number of strips hingeably attached to influence or not to influence light. Strips can be displaced between two positions by static charging/discharging with respect to a support attached near the strip. A voltage source provides the strips/further electrodes with the respective voltage. The strips can be configured to be (partially) non-transparent, allowing light effects to be obtained. In addition, it is possible to configure various strips differently. The strips preferably consist of a foil material allowing an especially simple construction with the aid of a film hinge. Suitable materials include polycarbonate, polyester or plastics material based on aromatics. The surface resistance is preferably at most 1000 M?. A broad range of uses are possible. One use is that in greenhouses but the present invention can also be applied at other locations where protection from light is necessary or specific light effects are desired.

Abstract: A greenhouse comprising at least one elongate self supporting tube having a wall defining an interior space. The at least one elongate tube is formed from a light transmissive material to permit plant growth within said interior space. The at least one tube is supported by a base support system. A plurality of tubes may be arranged into an assembly shaped like a pyramid. Growing medium and/or at least one solar panel may be disposed in the interior space of the topmost tube. One or a plurality of assemblies may be attached to a building to form a facility. A plurality of facilities may be arranged in proximity to one another.

Abstract: A cold frame is formed with lateral wall elements containing transparent hollow chamber panels, and supports which are provided with lateral flanges. The lateral wall elements include lateral edge areas provided with through-passages and formed by the hollow chamber panels thereof, and rest against the flanges of the supports. The lateral wall elements are connected to the supports by clamping devices. The clamping devices include clamping elements which rest against the inner sides of the hollow cavity panels forming the edge areas of the lateral wall elements and are clamped between the hollow cavity panels and the tops of positioning bars belonging to the clamping devices. The bars protrude from the through-passages of the hollow chamber panels and they are rigidly connected to the flanges of the supports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting assembly for growing plants. The lighting assembly has a first light source emitting light in a first wavelength range of 600 to 750 nm; a second light source emitting light in a second wavelength range of 375 to 500 nm; and a controller for controlling the output of the first light source independent from the output of the second light source. Disclosed are also an enclosure for growing plants, and a method for growing plants.

Abstract: Biomass production apparatus is disclosed and comprises a stack of trays, each tray, in use, being in receipt of a respective layer of liquid, the layers being spaced apart from one another such that each layer has associated therewith a respective headspace. Light sources are provided for each layer and are disposed in the headspace associated with said each layer, to illuminate, at least in part, said each layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiwall panels comprising micro-scale surface features and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, a multiwall panel is disclosed. The multiwall panel comprises, a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a rib disposed between and connected to the top sheet and the bottom sheet, and a micro-scale surface feature disposed on a surface of the multiwall panel, wherein the micro-scale surface feature comprises a width measured at a base of the surface feature, wherein the width is about 30 micrometers to about 3 millimeters. In another embodiment, a process of forming multiwall panels is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, a naturally lit structure is disclosed.

Abstract: In a system for optimizing crop growth, vegetation is cultivated in a contained environment, such as a greenhouse, an underground cavern or other enclosed space. Imaging equipment is positioned within or about the contained environment, to acquire spatially distributed crop growth information, and environmental sensors are provided to acquire data regarding multiple environmental conditions that can affect crop development. Illumination within the contained environment, and the addition of essential nutrients and chemicals are in turn controlled in response to data acquired by the imaging apparatus and environmental sensors, by an “expert system” which is trained to analyze and evaluate crop conditions. The expert system controls the spatial and temporal lighting pattern within the contained area, and the timing and allocation of nutrients and chemicals to achieve optimized crop development.

Abstract: There is provided a modular LED system comprising a frame (1) having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (8) of at least two different colors for generating light within a color spectrum, said LEDs (8) being mounted, preferably clickable, on or adjacent to a, preferably heat conductive, plate equipped with cooling means (3) for cooling the LEDs with cooling medium; a processor for controlling an amount of electrical current supplied to the plurality of LEDs, so that a particular amount of current supplied thereto determines a color of light generated by the plurality of LEDs, —and a flat translucent member (5) having translucent lenses (4) associated with the LEDs for decreasing or increasing the diffusion angle for light emitted from each LED. The LED system is suitable as an illumination system for plants to supplement natural light without substantially interfering with the amount of natural light. The system delivers uniform illumination and reduces energy and maintenance costs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device for stimulating plant growth. The lighting device has a solid state light source, suitable for emitting light of at least one wavelength within a predetermined wavelength range. Furthermore, the solid state light source is adapted for connection to an electrical network. The solid state light source is in contact with a cooling medium. In an embodiment, this cooling medium has a temperature in a temperature range between ?50 and 0° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a greenhouse comprising outside walls provided with translucent surfaces (2) such that light may be received into the greenhouse (3) from at least two geographical directions, a roof structure (7) and a roof (6) provided with an insulating material portion. The invention is characterized in that the outside walls, in connection with the translucent surfaces (2), are provided with a light reflecting yard structure which resides below the translucent surfaces (2), above a ground surface (50), and extending away from the outside wall. The greenhouse (3) may further comprise vertically positioned light reflecting surface elements (40) and light reflecting shade elements (44) movable in a direction parallel with the transparent surfaces (2).

Abstract: Described herein is an indoor greenhouse that includes a rack unit, an outer layer that surrounds the rack unit and defines a greenhouse interior, at least one light surrounded by a light enclosure, a cooling system, and a ventilation system all disposed in the greenhouse interior. The ventilation system includes a fan, a filter and at least one duct that cooperate to exhaust air out of the exhaust vent opening. The rack unit includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The outer layer includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween that correspond to the similar portions of the rack unit. The outer layer also has intake and exhaust vent and light cooling openings defined therein. The cooling system includes at least one duct that cooperates with the light enclosure to define an air path between the intake and exhaust light cooling openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing seedlings, wherein rootstocks and scions are nursed on multi-staged seedling culture shelves installed in a closed-type structure surrounded by light-interceptive walls, and wherein the rootstocks and scions are joined to each other to produce grafted seedlings. The grafted seedlings are placed on shelf boards of the seedling culture shelves and covered with a light-transmitting shield including vent holes, and light is projected onto the grafted seedlings through the light-transmitting shield to weld the seedlings. The relative humidity in the light-transmitting shield immediately after the grafting is raised by the evaporation of moisture from the rootstocks and the scions. When photosynthesis is stimulated, gas exchange between the carbon dioxide gas-containing atmosphere within the closed type structure and the atmosphere within the light-transmitting shield are accomplished to replenish an inner space of the light-transmitting shield with carbon dioxide gas.

Abstract: An coated translucent substrate that comprises a translucent substrate, an anti-reflection coating and a conductive oxide coating and a process for manufacturing the same is provided. The translucent substrate has a first surface at a first side. The anti-reflection coating is provided at the first side of the translucent substrate to reduce the reflection of light by the coated translucent substrate. The anti-reflection coating is applied to the conductive oxide coating. The conductive oxide coating is arranged between the first surface of the translucent substrate and the anti-reflection coating to reduce the transmission of light in the near infrared spectrum through the coated translucent substrate. The conductive oxide coating comprises SnO2:F. The coated translucent substrate transmits relatively good light in the Photosynthetically Active Radiation spectral range and blocks the light in the Near Infrared spectral range.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for increasing the yield of a plant grown under conditions that cause periodic oxidative stress in said plant, comprising the step of growing a seedling, tissue culture or plantlet into a plant, and further comprising the step of manipulating said plant or the environment of said plant such that an increase in the rate of respiration and/or protein turnover in said plant due to said periodic oxidative stress is intentionally prevented during the early ontogeny of said plant.

Abstract: Provided is a plant growth control of an apparatus for controlling a growth rate of a plant growing in a greenhouse having a roof formed of a dye-sensitized panel. In the method, a wavelength of sunlight to pass through the dye-sensitized panel is selected according to external environment information. A wavelength control signal corresponding to the selected wavelength is proved to the dye-sensitized panel.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a liquid-containing medium and a gas comprises a medium inlet and a medium outlet and a flat heat exchanger mat, wherein the mat comprises a number of parallel, equidistant capillaries of heat-conducting material and wires of heat-conducting material which are attached in heat-conducting contact to the capillaries, extend in transverse direction relative thereto and have a mutual distance in the order of magnitude of the diameter of the wires, wherein gas can flow along the wires for heat exchange between this gas and the medium flowing through the capillaries, and wherein the gas flows along the mat and at least a substantial part of the gas is prevented from flowing through the mat, and the gas flows in longitudinal direction of the wires.

Abstract: Agricultural and/or horticultural greenhouse for cultivating crops therein, wherein the greenhouse is provided with a ventilation system comprising air displacing means for drawing in air in the upper part of the greenhouse, and wherein the ventilation system is adapted to displace the indrawn air in at least substantially vertical direction in the direction of the lower part of the greenhouse, wherein the ventilation system also comprises at least one substantially tubular air duct for guiding the indrawn air from the upper part of the greenhouse in the direction of the lower part thereof.

Abstract: A film sheet for area-focusing of sunlight and a greenhouse provided with the same are provided. A film sheet includes i) a film having a rectangular shape, and ii) a plurality of prism assemblies formed on one surface of the film to extend in one direction. At least one prism assembly of the plurality of prism assemblies includes i) at least one first prism unit including a plurality of first prisms with slanted angles that are substantially the same as each other, and ii) at least one second prism unit neighboring the first prism unit and including a plurality of second prisms with slanted angles that are substantially the same as each other. The width of the first prism unit is substantially the same as the width of the second prism unit and a slanted angle of one first prism among the plurality of first prisms is different from a slanted angle of one second prism among the plurality of second prisms, and light entering the prism assembly is configured to be area-focused.

Abstract: A building covered with resin films 10, comprises a frame 11 constituting the bone structure of a building and a roof and /or a wall formed by stretching transparent resin films 20 on the frame, wherein the lower edge portion of a transparent resin film is held by a retainer 30 to fix it to the frame and a water-permeable sheet 40 is put with its upper edge portion being positioned at the inner surface side of the resin film and its lower edge portion being positioned at the outside of the building whereby condensed water resulted on the surface of the film facing the inside of the building is discharged to the outside thereof without losing the heat insulation effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for covering a surface such as a swimming pool, a sports field, a glazed surface, a vehicle body, including: (a) a drum rotatingly mounted and capable of winding or unwinding a cover, said drum being mounted on longitudinal translation mechanisms including rails provided on either side of said surface; (b) an attachment system for said cover at one transverse end of the surface to be covered so that the translation and the rotation of the drum results in the winding/unwinding of the cover above the surface to be covered; (c) a system for continuously locking the longitudinal edges of the cover onto said rails that is progressively fitted during the unwinding operation.

Abstract: The device according to the invention is designed for growth acceleration and regeneration of lawn areas (2). It comprises a housing (3) which is open towards the bottom and can be placed on a lawn area (2) and delimits a space (6) above the lawn area (2), the housing (3) being formed so as to be transparent and/or comprising an illumination device (32) for illuminating the lawn area (2). The housing (3) is realized with a moving equipment (17) for automatically moving the housing (3) over the lawn area (2).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for regulating the heat and the CO2 concentration of the air in an enclosed space within which plants and/or crops are grown, in which method an oxygen-containing gas and a hydrocarbon-containing gas are alternately passed over a bed of particles that are capable of binding oxygen, wherein the oxygen-containing gas is passed over the bed of particles under conditions whereby the particles are oxidised and heat is released, after which at least part of the heat is provided to the enclosed space, and wherein the hydrocarbon-containing gas is passed over a bed of the oxidised particles so obtained under conditions whereby the oxidised particles are chemically reduced and water and CO2 are formed, after which at least part of the CO2 so obtained is provided to the enclosed space.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of sustainable economic development, such as development through an integrated production of renewable energy, material resources, and nutrient regimes. In some embodiments, the system utilizes resources extracted from renewable energy sources to assist in the capture of energy from other renewable energy sources. In some embodiments, the system utilizes energy from renewable energy sources to extract resources from other renewable energy sources.

Abstract: A system for radiating plants with photon radiation to induce photomorphogenic growth is described. The system includes a light assembly operable to transmit photon radiation, a light transmittive material located between the light assembly and a plant, a power supply connected to the light assembly, a failsafe switch connected to and located between the power supply and the light assembly and a photomorphogenic growth controller connected to the light assembly. The power supply is operable to energize the light assembly and the failsafe switch is operable to de-energize the light assembly when a safety signal is received by the failsafe switch. The photomorphogenic growth controller is operable to selectively energize the light assembly.

Abstract: Reflecting device (1) for adjustably reflecting light, such as sunlight, comprising a transparent first wall (3), a transparent second wall (40), which is arranged substantially parallel to and at a distance from the first wall (3), and a regulating layer (7), which is provided with a duct (10), which is bounded between the first wall (3) and the second wall (40), and which regulating layer (7) substantially allows light which impinges on the first wall (3) through to the second wall (40) if the duct (10) is filled with a transparent liquid (9) and reflects light which impinges on the first wall (3) if the duct (10) is empty, the regulating layer (7) being provided with a structure (11) which is prismatic in cross section, characterized in that, the reflecting device is provided with a third wall (41), which is arranged substantially parallel to and at a distance from the second wall (40), and a second regulating layer (7?), which is provided with a second duct (10?), which is bounded between the second wall

Abstract: A one piece, nestable, portable mini-greenhouse and plant protector for use in a substrate, such as soil, to protect plants and seedlings from extreme weather elements, bugs and pests. The mini-greenhouse has a light-transmitting shell that forms a protective chamber and integrated legs that act to anchor as well as support the shell. The legs can be fully or partially inserted in the soil providing options for a closed or ventilated protective chamber. The unit has concave channels that facilitate watering without disturbing the apparatus. It has unique light filtering and dispersing properties to aid creating a nurturing and growing environment.

Abstract: Described herein is an indoor greenhouse that includes a rack unit, an outer layer that surrounds the rack unit and defines a greenhouse interior, at least one light surrounded by a light enclosure, a cooling system, and a ventilation system all disposed in the greenhouse interior. The ventilation system includes a fan, a filter and at least one duct that cooperate to exhaust air out of the exhaust vent opening. The rack unit includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The outer layer includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween that correspond to the similar portions of the rack unit. The outer layer also has intake and exhaust vent and light cooling openings defined therein. The cooling system includes at least one duct that cooperates with the light enclosure to define an air path between the intake and exhaust light cooling openings.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for the production of high yield agricultural and aquaculture products using separate, discrete and scalable production units that cooperate to provide a low carbon food production facility. A combination of greenhouses, hydroponic farms, fish hatcheries and on-site pyrolysis-gasification generators is used to produce and consume almost all the necessary materials from a feed stock of municipal waste, and other forms of carbon-containing waste feed stocks.

Abstract: There is provided a greenhouse windbreak mechanism which is less prone to collapse of cultivation greenhouses, even when the greenhouse windbreak mechanism is constructed along with the cultivation greenhouses such as plastic greenhouses with relatively-lower strength and is subjected to storm winds or strong monsoons. There are provided a windbreak fence which surrounds one or more cultivation greenhouses and is annularly placed to be erected with a larger height than that of the cultivation greenhouses, a ventilation portion which is formed, at an upper portion of the windbreak fence, to have a predetermined longitudinal width from the upper end of the windbreak fence and includes a plurality of through holes which are dispersedly placed; and a plurality of baffle plates which form a plurality of through holes in its entire surface or partially for passing strong winds therethrough when they are laterally placed above the cultivation greenhouses.

Abstract: This application relates to a greenhouse for enhancing plant growth and a method of enhancing plant growth. A greenhouse is described that comprises transparent sheets having two main surface sides, characterised in that there is on at least one of the two main surface sides an array of geometrical optical elements and a single element of the array comprises a base and at least one other surface.

Abstract: A solar energy greenhouse includes a main structure, a roof structure disposed on the main structure and a plurality of thin-film solar cell assemblies which are disposed on the roof structure in an unequal gap defined there between. The thin-film solar cell assemblies can absorb sunlight and generate electrical energy. The unequal gaps between the thin-film solar cell assemblies are determined from the radiation angle of the sunlight and the position of plants in the solar energy greenhouse, so the amount that the sunlight radiates on the thin-film solar cell assemblies and the plants can achieve a better distribution, which improves the amount of electrical energy generated by the thin-film solar cell assemblies and the rates of growth of the plants.

Abstract: A building is disclosed, with which the air may be guided from a heat reservoir into an interspace, and/or from the interspace into the heat reservoir through conduits.

Abstract: There are disclosed plastics materials (110; 520; 640) that include one or more phosphors (210) for absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light (170, 420) and re-radiating (160, 410) the light at a longer wavelength, for example the red wavelengths at 680 nm and 700 nm used by a plant (130) for photosynthesis. Such plastics materials may be used to protect the plastic (110, 500) from UV-induced degradation. In another embodiment, a light source (600) is provided with an encapsulant (640) that contains a phosphor (210) to prevent UV-light from escaping from the light source. Examples of the phosphor (210) are iron activated lithium aluminate phosphor although the phosphor may be based on lattices comprising, for example, aluminates, silicates, aluminosilicates, phosphates or borates or mixtures thereof. The phosphors may include activators/co-activators/sensitizers based on transition metals or lanthanides.

Abstract: A plurality of structures each having a number of ridges and being formed in a long and thin plate shape or a long and thin film shape. The cross section of each of the ridges forms a portion of a substantial circle and a surface thereof is a practically specular surface. The ridges of each structure are parallel to each other and respective adjacent surfaces thereof correspond to each other in parallel and are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. When light is incident on a point of a surface of one of the structures at an incident angle, in either its reflection or transmittance, the light is diffused in a circular conical plane whose vertex is the incident point and whose center axis is a line parallel to the ridges, by a diffraction effect caused by the arrayed ridges. The flux of reflected diffused light is spread in one lengthwise half of the circular conical plane and the flux of transmitted diffused light is spread in the other lengthwise half of the circular conical plane.

Abstract: Greenhouse system may comprise an illumination, a sensor, and a controller. The illumination and controller are arranged to vary the intensity and the spectral distribution of the light emitted by the illumination. The emitted light may be pulsed light, the pulse characteristics being variable by the controller in dependency of the output of the sensor. The controller are arranged to interpret the relevant variables measured by the sensor and to assess the actual and/or expected growth of the relevant plants, and to control the intensity and/or the spectral distribution of the light emitted by the illumination. Some sensors may be provided for measuring the intensity and/or spectral distribution of the actual light in the greenhouse, other sensors for measuring plant dimensions of the relevant plants or plant groups. The illumination may comprise a heat collection which can be connected to heating or air conditioning inside or outside the greenhouse.

Abstract: Described herein is an indoor greenhouse that includes a rack unit, an outer layer that surrounds the rack unit and defines a greenhouse interior, at least one light surrounded by a light enclosure, a cooling system, and a ventilation system all disposed in the greenhouse interior. The ventilation system includes a fan, a filter and at least one duct that cooperate to exhaust air out of the exhaust vent opening. The rack unit includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The outer layer includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween that correspond to the similar portions of the rack unit. The outer layer also has intake and exhaust vent and light cooling openings defined therein. The cooling system includes at least one duct that cooperates with the light enclosure to define an air path between the intake and exhaust light cooling openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor apparatus (1) for growing of biological species (2), comprising at least one basin device (3) defining a first habitat (4a) for a first species (2a), and a first lighting device (5a) having one light emitting solid-state lighting source (6), adapted for the first species (2a) by emitting light (L), wherein the solid-state lighting source (6) illuminates said habitat (4) using light energy emitted from the solid-state lighting source (6), wherein the bioreactor apparatus (1) comprises a second habitat (4b), adapted for a second species (2b).

Abstract: The present invention comprises greenhouse comprising a frame provided with columns and with parallel, equally spaced girders supported by said columns, as well as a roof supported by said columns and with at least one wall, said greenhouse comprising a screen device along the roof, which screen device comprises a number of screens, a screen (1) being connected, via first connecting means, to a girder on a first longitudinal side and being connected, via second connecting means, to a front bar (2) extending parallel to the girders on a second longitudinal side opposite said first longitudinal side, which front bar is movable in a direction transversely to its longitudinal direction between an open position and a closed position, said second connecting means comprising a lace element (3) connected to the screen near a longitudinal edge of the screen and a lace chamber (4) associated with the front bar, which lace chamber extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the front bar, in which lace element is

Abstract: The invention relates to a greenhouse system which comprises at least one plant culture, at least part of the glazing of the greenhouse system comprising at least one functional layer that is adapted to said plant culture.

Abstract: Blind system comprising a number of strip elements or blinds. Each strip element comprises a bilaterally light-translucent material which, on the side directed towards the outside world, is infrared-reflective. This material is also preferably ultraviolet-reflective or capable of transforming ultraviolet light into a different (visible) frequency. The blind strips may be formed of horizontal and vertical strip elements and it is also possible to mount these on a roll so that a retractable shade can be achieved. The blinds are preferably mounted on the interior of a building. The strip elements comprise a number of superimposed layers with different specific optical properties, the combination of which results in the desired light effects.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a plurality of fluorescent bulbs wherein a light intensity of each of the plurality of fluorescent bulbs is related to the operating temperature of the fluorescent bulbs, a sensor for sensing a physical parameter related to the light intensity, and a circuit adapted for monitoring the sensor and controlling the operating temperature of the fluorescent bulbs to maintain the operating temperature of the fluorescent bulbs within a range having a lower temperature and an upper temperature. A method of maintaining light intensity of fluorescent bulbs in an environmental chamber includes monitoring a physical parameter associated with the light intensity of the fluorescent bulbs in an environmental chamber and adjusting temperature of the fluorescent bulbs in the environmental chamber to maintain an optimum light intensity of the fluorescent bulbs in the environmental chamber.

Abstract: A building material comprises a plurality of transparent sheet layers, adjacent transparent sheet layers of which are disposed so as to have a gap interposed therebetween; and a vapor supply system for supplying humidified air into the gap between the adjacent transparent sheet layers. A building including the above-mentioned building material. A method for controlling the indoor environment in a building including the above-mentioned building material comprises supplying humidified air into the gap between adjacent transparent sheet layers; and generating dew condensation on a gap-side surface of the adjacent transparent sheet layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for covering a plant growing medium. The device includes a sheet and an aperture defined by the sheet. A first portion of the sheet surrounds the aperture. A second portion of the sheet has at least one ledge for engaging a top surface of the plant growing medium. The second portion of the sheet is integrated with the first portion of the sheet such that the at least one ledge is situated at a height below the height of the first portion of the sheet.