Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a first particle in a reactor; the first particle being a magnetic particle or a particle that can be influenced by a magnetic field, an electric field or a combination of an electrical field and a magnetic field; fluidizing the first particle in the reactor; applying a uniform magnetic field, a uniform electrical field or a combination of a uniform magnetic field and a uniform electrical field to the reactor; elevating the temperature of the reactor; and fusing the first particles to form a monolithic solid.

Abstract: A method for forming a caloric regenerator includes forming a first caloric material stage from a first plurality of caloric material layers by repeatedly laying down a first powder for each layer of the first plurality of caloric material layers, applying a first binder material onto the first powder for each layer of the plurality of first caloric material layers, and then fixing the layers of the first plurality of caloric material layers to one another. A second caloric material stage is formed in a similar manner. The first and second caloric material stages are stackable to form the caloric regenerator.

Abstract: A dryer includes a plurality of piezoelectric transducers in electrical communication with a high frequency piezoelectric oscillation generator. The piezoelectric oscillation generator controls the duty cycle and resonant frequency source signal that drive the plurality of piezoelectric transducers non-continuously. The piezoelectric transducers dry the wet articles without heating air passing through the articles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a first particle in a reactor; the first particle being a magnetic particle or a particle that can be influenced by a magnetic field, an electric field or a combination of an electrical field and a magnetic field; fluidizing the first particle in the reactor; applying a uniform magnetic field, a uniform electrical field or a combination of a uniform magnetic field and a uniform electrical field to the reactor; elevating the temperature of the reactor; and fusing the first particles to form a monolithic solid.

Abstract: A method for forming a stabilized bed of magneto-caloric material is provided. The method includes aligning magneto-caloric particles within the casing while a magnetic field is applied to the magneto-caloric particles and then fixing positions of the magneto-caloric particles within the casing. A related stabilized bed of magneto-caloric material is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar thermochemical reactor comprising an outer member, an inner member disposed within an outer member, wherein the outer member surrounds the inner member and wherein the outer member has an aperture for receiving solar radiation and wherein an inner cavity and an outer cavity are formed by the inner member and outer member and a reactive material capable of being magnetically stabilized wherein the reactive material is disposed in the outer cavity between the inner member and the outer member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar reactor comprising a reactor member; an aperture for receiving solar radiation, the aperture being disposed in a plane on a wall of the reactor member, where the plane is oriented at any angle other than parallel relative to the centerline of the reactor member; a plurality of absorber tubes, wherein the absorber tubes are oriented such that their respective centerlines are at an angle other than 90° relative to the centerline of the reactor member; and wherein the aperture has a hydraulic diameter that is from 0.2 to 4 times a hydraulic diameter of at least one absorber tube in the plurality of absorber tubes; and a reactive material, the reactive material being disposed in the plurality of absorber tubes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite particle comprising a first non-metallic particle in which is dispersed a second non-metallic particle, where the first non-metallic particle and the second non-metallic particle are inorganic; and where a chemical composition of the first non-metallic particle is different from a chemical composition of the second non-metallic particle; and where the first non-metallic particle and the second non-metallic particle are metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal silicides, metal oxycarbides, metal oxynitrides, metal boronitrides, metal carbonitrides, metal borocarbides, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems store energy mechanically at a first time and extract the energy at a later time. When excess electricity from renewable sources or during off-peak periods is available, a pump directs a working liquid (L) to pressurize a gas (G) that is confined within a pressure vessel. When electricity from renewable sources is not available or during periods of peak demand or pricing, the pressurized gas (G) directs the working liquid (L) through a hydropower turbine. The turbine drives a generator through a mechanical coupling to provide electricity for powering a load. In addition, the system can leverage (take) any waste heat as the input to boost the efficiency of the system. The described systems function at ground level and are modular and scalable in capacity.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric cooling system comprising a solid body or bodies, such as a cylinder or cube, having a plurality of channels extending between a first end and a second end of the cylinder or cube and a magnet at least partially surrounding the cylinder or cube. A metallic mass, such as a rod or plate, is positioned within each channel and slides within a respective channel between two sliding extremities so that in each sliding extremity, a portion of each metallic mass extends beyond an end of the solid body. A motor is used for reciprocating the metallic masses between the sliding extremities and a heat exchange mechanism directs heating or cooling where desired.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar reactor comprising a reactor member; an aperture for receiving solar radiation, the aperture being disposed in a plane on a wall of the reactor member, where the plane is oriented at any angle other than parallel relative to the centerline of the reactor member; a plurality of absorber tubes, wherein the absorber tubes are oriented such that their respective centerlines are at an angle other than 90° relative to the centerline of the reactor member; and wherein the aperture has a hydraulic diameter that is from 0.2 to 4 times a hydraulic diameter of at least one absorber tube in the plurality of absorber tubes; and a reactive material, the reactive material being disposed in the plurality of absorber tubes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite particle comprising a first non-metallic particle in which is dispersed a second non-metallic particle, where the first non-metallic particle and the second non-metallic particle are inorganic; and where a chemical composition of the first non-metallic particle is different from a chemical composition of the second non-metallic particle; and where the first non-metallic particle and the second non-metallic particle are metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal silicides, metal oxycarbides, metal oxynitrides, metal boronitrides, metal carbonitrides, metal borocarbides, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a first particle in a reactor; the first particle being a magnetic particle or a particle that can be influenced by a magnetic field, an electric field or a combination of an electrical field and a magnetic field; fluidizing the first particle in the reactor; applying a uniform magnetic field, a uniform electrical field or a combination of a uniform magnetic field and a uniform electrical field to the reactor; elevating the temperature of the reactor; and fusing the first particles to form a monolithic solid.