Abstract: Disclosed is a building energy management system (BEMS) for a building comprising a plurality of individual units. Each individual unit comprises a first light detector to detect a first indoor light level for each individual unit and a first occupancy sensor to determine a first occupancy level within the individual unit. The BEMS comprises a control module connected to each first light detector, the plurality of first light appliances and each first occupancy sensor. The control module scans to determine a list of all the first light appliances within each individual unit to create a map of the first light appliances, groups the mapped first light appliances into a plurality of clusters, assigns control parameters to each cluster and controls the clustered first light appliances based on detected light and occupancy levels.

Abstract: Liquid desiccant air conditioning systems and methods to operate them to achieved desired supply air dry bulb temperature and humidity conditions are described herein. In some embodiments, the liquid desiccant air conditioning systems can include a cooling unit, an absorber, a regenerator, and a control unit. The control unit can be operably coupled to the cooling unit, the absorber, and the regenerator such that the control unit can operate the liquid desiccant system to produce a supply air stream at a relatively independent target temperature and humidity. In some embodiments, the control unit can adjust one or more parameters and/or variables of the components of the liquid desiccant system to produce the supply air stream at a high energy efficiency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conditioning air streams are described herein. In some embodiments, a system can include an absorber and a desorber. The absorber configured to receive a supply air stream including moisture at a first moisture concentration and expose it to a liquid desiccant to remove moisture from the supply air stream and produce a conditioned air stream. The desorber configured to receive a regeneration stream at a first mass flow rate and at least a portion of the liquid desiccant from the absorber and having at least one salt at a first weight percent. The desorber includes an array of emitters configured to direct the portion of the liquid desiccant at a second mass flow rate to a desorber media to facilitate removing moisture from the portion of the liquid desiccant and produce a concentrated liquid desiccant with the at least one salt at a second weight percent.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed may serve the function of a pump, a generator, or a propulsion system. Two flexible fins are coupled via their longitudinal inner edges to fin coupling modules. An external fluid flow causes traveling fin undulations. The angle of the fins relative to each other changes as undulations travel along the fins which can be translated through the fin coupling modules into mechanical work, powered by the external fluid flow. The mechanical work of the fin coupling modules may be the cyclical extension and contraction of pistons or bellows incorporated into the fin coupling modules, which may draw ambient fluid during their extension cycles and compress fluid during their contraction cycles to create a pump. The pistons or bellows may also be sealed from ambient fluid but connected through conduits through which contained fluid is exchanged in a continuous circulation of fluid to power a pump or a turbine.

Abstract: Air flows across an air-liquid interface such that liquid desiccant flowing through the interface absorbs water from the air and is thereby diluted to form an output stream. The output stream is circulated through an electrodialytic stack having a central ionic exchange membrane and first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A redox shuttle loop circulates around the first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A voltage is applied across the electrodialytic stack, which regenerates the liquid desiccant.

Abstract: A system comprises a liquid desiccant regeneration system, a first air contactor stage, and a second air contactor stage. The regeneration system has a first stage with a first concentration output and first diluted output, and a second stage with a second concentration output, different from the first concentration output, and a second diluted output. The first air contactor stage is coupled to the first concentrated output to form a first output air stream having a reduced water content and a first diluted air contactor output. The second air contactor stage is coupled to the second concentrated output to form a second output air stream having a reduced water content and a second diluted air contactor output. Both diluted air contactor outputs are recirculated into the regeneration system, and the output air streams are combined.

Abstract: Electrochromic devices having buffer layer(s) that promote electron transfer between the second transparent electrode and second electrochromic layer while concurrently reducing or inhibiting deleterious chemical interaction between the second electrochromic layer and the second electrode and/or maintaining the conductive state of the second electrode and while the device changes the from a low transparency state of approximately 10-20% transmittance in the visible region to a high transparency state of approximately 75% to 95% transmittance in the visible region with at least a 70% difference in transmittance between the low and high transmittance states. In certain aspects, the electrochromic devices change from a low transparency state having a gray color to a high transparency state that is substantially colorless within 20 seconds of applying the selective electrical potential to the electrochromic device.

Abstract: Liquid desiccant air conditioning systems and methods to operate them to achieved desired supply air dry bulb temperature and humidity conditions are described herein. In some embodiments, the liquid desiccant air conditioning systems can include a cooling unit, an absorber, a regenerator, and a control unit. The control unit can be operably coupled to the cooling unit, the absorber, and the regenerator such that the control unit can operate the liquid desiccant system to produce a supply air stream at a relatively independent target temperature and humidity. In some embodiments, the control unit can adjust one or more parameters and/or variables of the components of the liquid desiccant system to produce the supply air stream at a high energy efficiency.

Abstract: Liquid desiccant air conditioning systems and methods to operate them to achieved desired supply air dry bulb temperature and humidity conditions are described herein. In some embodiments, the liquid desiccant air conditioning systems can include a cooling unit, an absorber, a regenerator, and a control unit. The control unit can be operably coupled to the cooling unit, the absorber, and the regenerator such that the control unit can operate the liquid desiccant system to produce a supply air stream at a relatively independent target temperature and humidity. In some embodiments, the control unit can adjust one or more parameters and/or variables of the components of the liquid desiccant system to produce the supply air stream at a high energy efficiency.

Abstract: Air flows across an air-liquid interface such that liquid desiccant flowing through the interface absorbs water from the air and is thereby diluted to form an output stream. The output stream is circulated through an electrodialytic stack having a central ionic exchange membrane and first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A redox shuttle loop circulates around the first and second outer ionic exchange membranes. A voltage is applied across the electrodialytic stack, which regenerates the liquid desiccant.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of thermal conversion reactors and assemblies/units, systems, and methods including the same for thermally converting landfill-bound plastic waste (broadly, polymeric materials) into electrical energy.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant regenerator configured to produce a first output stream with a higher concentration of a liquid desiccant than a first input stream. The regenerator also produces a second output stream with a lower concentration of the liquid desiccant than a second input stream. Regeneration of the liquid desiccant in the liquid desiccant regenerator decreases a temperature of the liquid desiccant regenerator. The system includes an air contactor coupled to the first output stream and exposing an input air stream to the first output stream. The first output stream absorbs water from the input air stream to form at least one diluted output desiccant stream. A heat pump of the system is thermally coupled to move the heat from the first output stream to the liquid desiccant regenerator. The heat moved to the liquid desiccant regenerator increases an efficiency of the liquid desiccant regenerator.

Abstract: An apparatus for wastewater filtration having a barrel, a basket and a screw on a shaft rotating therein for pushing solid in a distinct output. A removable cartridge comprises a cover for the barrel, the cartridge comprising a pre-sealed shaft connector which releasably connects to at least the upper shaft portion or the lower shaft portion to form the shaft. The screw comprises a brush on an outer rim thereof, the brush having radially outwardly oriented bristles that scrape an inner surface of the basket. The screw comprises a winged wiper at a bottom thereof for sweeping a bottom surface of the barrel, and the solid-material output is provided at the bottom surface of the barrel and is shaped as a rectangular opening which is offset from a central axis of the screw. Solid removal efficiency and maintenance are thereby improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are transparent articles having a substrate adapted for carrying a transparent and electrically conductive thin film thereon. The thin film includes an optical matching-stress releasing layer directly deposited on the substrate; a first antireflection layer directly deposited on the optical matching layer; a metal layer adapted for infra-red reflection and electrical conductivity directly deposited on the first antireflection layer; a second antireflection layer deposited directly on the metal layer adapted for high visibility and infra-red transmission, and an optionally visible and infra-red region transparent outermost protective layer deposited on the second antireflection layer. In certain aspects, no buffer layer is positioned between the metal layer adapted for infra-red reflection and electrical conductivity and the second antireflection layer.

Abstract: A system is described for automatically processing biomass using a series of mechanisms that operate in unison to maintain solids flow through small gasifiers that are otherwise prone to blockage. The system can include an anti jamming mechanism to automatically clear jams within said gasifier using input from at least one sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine learning energy management system that regulates incoming energy sources into compressed air storage operations and energy generation. Compressed air is directed into a thermoregulation system that cycles storage tanks according to physical qualities. A boost impulse creates energy to initiate the electrical energy generation. The compressed air operations and energy generation leverage the heating and cooling of an external HVAC system to improve performance and conservation of the heating and cooling for an external building. The system combines real-time data, historical performance data, algorithm control, variable air pressure for demand-based generation, tank-to-tank thermal cycling, building air heat exchanger, and boost pulsation to achieve optimized system efficiency and responsiveness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine learning energy management system that regulates incoming energy sources into compressed air storage operations and energy generation. Compressed air is directed into a thermoregulation system that cycles storage tanks according to physical qualities. A boost impulse creates energy to initiate the electrical energy generation. The compressed air operations and energy generation leverage the heating and cooling of an external HVAC system to improve performance and conservation of the heating and cooling for an external building, wherein compressed air is used to drive a coolant compressor. The system combines real-time data, historical performance data, algorithm control, variable air pressure for demand-based generation, tank-to-tank thermal cycling, building air heat exchanger, and boost pulsation to achieve optimized system efficiency and responsiveness.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a system and process for recovering fugitive gas emissions, and more particularly, systems and processes for recovering wet and dry gas emissions from reciprocating compressor packing boxes, gas-operated control valves and pumps, and other packing systems that leak under normal operating conditions. The system and process recover fugitive gases from a compressor packing case and pneumatic components by utilizing a backpressure regulator to maintain a positive pressure in the packing case and pneumatic components and then producing a vacuum to capture and transport any fugitive gas emissions. The recovered emissions are then pressurized to meet the pressures necessary to reenter the first stage of the compressor packing case or the compressor fuel gas system.

Abstract: A controller stops flow of posolyte through a positive electrode chamber of a flow cell to trap the posolyte within the positive electrode chamber and hydraulically isolate the flow cell without stopping flow of negolyte through a negative electrode chamber of the flow cell, discharges the flow cell until hydrogen gas is evolved at a reactive surface of the positive electrode chamber while the posolyte is trapped within the positive electrode chamber, and subsequently discontinues the discharge and restarts the flow of the posolyte through the positive electrode chamber.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is characterized by having two or more fluid flow circuits, each formed by multiple small cross-section “micro-tubes” contained within a surrounding metal structure, or “metal matrix.” Its function is to efficiently transfer heat from one fluid to another in a highly compact assembly. Most any metal or metal alloy can be considered for the micro-tubes. The micro-tubes, while typically arranged in alternating layers of alternating flow circuits, may be organized in any number of arrangements including co-linear and at cross angles to provide for co-flow, counter flow and cross flow. The metal matrix, is provided in one embodiment by a metal or metal alloy powder consolidated in a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process. This process also joins the tubes together and to the matrix itself, producing a monolithic structure.