Abstract: A system, device and apparatus for measuring electrolytes, where an electrical charge is applied to a measurement portion to draw ions from a liquid to a gel-solution via at least one electric field. The gel-solution containing the extracted ions is excited with light of a predetermined wavelength from an emitter. A receiver detects the illumination of the ions as a result of the excited gel-solution, and a processor converts the detected intensities of the illumination to a biologically useful value representing ionic concentration.

Abstract: A bidirectional AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC circuit includes a first inductor-capacitor (LC) circuit connected to an AC power source, a transistor synchronized with the AC power source signal, a second LC circuit electrically connected to the synchronized transistor and the first inductor-capacitor circuit, a high-frequency switching transistor electrically connected to the second inductor-capacitor circuit and a direct current (DC) load, and a controller connected to the high-frequency switching transistor. The controller identifies an error between a measured DC output signal and a predetermined DC output signal that is applied to the DC load, and adjusts a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching signal for the high-frequency transistor to reduce the identified error.

Abstract: A bidirectional AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC circuit includes a first inductor-capacitor (LC) circuit connected to an AC power source, a transistor synchronized with the AC power source signal, a second LC circuit electrically connected to the synchronized transistor and the first inductor-capacitor circuit, a high-frequency switching transistor electrically connected to the second inductor-capacitor circuit and a direct current (DC) load, and a controller connected to the high-frequency switching transistor. The controller identifies an error between a measured DC output signal and a predetermined DC output signal that is applied to the DC load, and adjusts a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching signal for the high-frequency transistor to reduce the identified error.

Abstract: An electrical power converter includes a circuit with a single switching transistor that is electrically connected to a direct current power source, a first inductor-capacitor (LC) circuit electrically connected to the single switching transistor, a second LC circuit electrically connected to the first LC circuit and configured to provide an output signal to a load. A controller is operatively connected to the single switching transistor. The controller identifies an error between the output signal of the circuit and a reference signal and adjusts a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching signal to switch the single switching transistor at a predetermined frequency with the adjusted duty cycle to reduce the identified error.

Abstract: A bidirectional AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC circuit includes a first inductor-capacitor (LC) circuit connected to an AC power source, a transistor synchronized with the AC power source signal, a second LC circuit electrically connected to the synchronized transistor and the first inductor-capacitor circuit, a high-frequency switching transistor electrically connected to the second inductor-capacitor circuit and a direct current (DC) load, and a controller connected to the high-frequency switching transistor. The controller identifies an error between a measured DC output signal and a predetermined DC output signal that is applied to the DC load, and adjusts a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching signal for the high-frequency transistor to reduce the identified error.

Abstract: A bidirectional AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC circuit includes a first inductor-capacitor (LC) circuit connected to an AC power source, a transistor synchronized with the AC power source signal, a second LC circuit electrically connected to the synchronized transistor and the first inductor-capacitor circuit, a high-frequency switching transistor electrically connected to the second inductor-capacitor circuit and a direct current (DC) load, and a controller connected to the high-frequency switching transistor. The controller identifies an error between a measured DC output signal and a predetermined DC output signal that is applied to the DC load, and adjusts a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching signal for the high-frequency transistor to reduce the identified error.

Abstract: A system, device and apparatus for measuring electrolytes, where an electrical charge is applied to a measurement portion to draw ions from a liquid to a gel-solution via at least one electric field. The gel-solution containing the extracted ions is excited with light of a predetermined wavelength from an emitter. A receiver detects the illumination of the ions as a result of the excited gel-solution, and a processor converts the detected intensities of the illumination to a biologically useful value representing ionic concentration.

Abstract: An electrical power converter includes a circuit with a single switching transistor that is electrically connected to a direct current power source, a first inductor-capacitor (LC) circuit electrically connected to the single switching transistor, a second LC circuit electrically connected to the first LC circuit and configured to provide an output signal to a load. A controller is operatively connected to the single switching transistor. The controller identifies an error between the output signal of the circuit and a reference signal and adjusts a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching signal to switch the single switching transistor at a predetermined frequency with the adjusted duty cycle to reduce the identified error.

Abstract: A wind power conversion apparatus for efficiently generating electric power is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one blade, the at least one blade being configured to rotate when exposed to wind, a fluid pump mechanically coupled to the at least one blade and configured to pressurize fluid from a low pressure fluid to a high pressure fluid, a fluid motor fluidly coupled to the fluid pump and configured to rotate an output shaft in response to the high pressure fluid and thereby providing the low pressure fluid, and an electric generator mechanically coupled to the fluid motor and configured to generate electric power in response to the rotation of the output shaft of the fluid motor.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly, including an electric-optically transducing layer, an electrically conducting layer, and an electrically insulating layer positioned between the electric-optically transducing layer and the electrically conducting layer. The assembly includes a hydrophobic layer, a dielectric layer positioned between the electrically conducting layer and the hydrophobic layer, and a liquid microdroplet lens positioned in contact with the hydrophobic layer. The electrically conducting layer, the electrically conducting layer, the hydrophobic layer and the dielectric layer are substantially optically transparent. The liquid microdroplet lens may optionally be contained within a substantially optically transparent lens compartment.

Abstract: A wind power conversion apparatus for efficiently generating electric power is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one blade, the at least one blade being configured to rotate when exposed to wind, a fluid pump mechanically coupled to the at least one blade and configured to pressurize fluid from a low pressure fluid to a high pressure fluid, a fluid motor fluidly coupled to the fluid pump and configured to rotate an output shaft in response to the high pressure fluid and thereby providing the low pressure fluid, and an electric generator mechanically coupled to the fluid motor and configured to generate electric power in response to the rotation of the output shaft of the fluid motor.

Abstract: A method for detecting faults in a solar cell includes measuring at least one operational parameter of a solar cell, measuring an output of the solar cell, identifying differences between the measured output of the solar cell and estimated outputs of a first and second model of operating modes of the solar cell, generating probabilities corresponding to the likelihood that each model corresponds to the actual operating mode of the solar call based on the identified differences, and disconnecting the output of the solar cell from a load in response to the identified current operating mode being the operating mode of the second model.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly, including an electric-optically transducing layer, an electrically conducting layer, and an electrically insulating layer positioned between the electric-optically transducing layer and the electrically conducting layer. The assembly includes a hydrophobic layer, a dielectric layer positioned between the electrically conducting layer and the hydrophobic layer, and a liquid microdroplet lens positioned in contact with the hydrophobic layer. The electrically conducting layer, the electrically conducting layer, the hydrophobic layer and the dielectric layer are substantially optically transparent.