Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for generation of electricity using sunlight focused onto multi junction photovoltaic cells having high conversion efficiency. The apparatus includes a large paraboloidal mirror of back-silvered glass, turned to the sun throughout the day, so as to provide an intense focus. Multiple photovoltaic cells are provided at the focus. The optics are configured to distribute sunlight without significant loss into separate regions matched to the photovoltaic cell size. A secondary optical system takes strongly focused sunlight near the focus of a single paraboloidal mirror and distributes it equally between the cells, and regions of equally concentrated sunlight are matched to cell size and are substantially co-planar, so that the cells may be grouped on flat circuit cards.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for generation of electricity using sunlight focused onto multi junction photovoltaic cells having high conversion efficiency. The apparatus includes a large paraboloidal mirror of back-silvered glass, turned to the sun throughout the day, so as to provide an intense focus. Multiple photovoltaic cells are provided at the focus. The optics are configured to distribute sunlight without significant loss into separate regions matched to the photovoltaic cell size. A secondary optical system takes strongly focused sunlight near the focus of a single paraboloidal mirror and distributes it equally between the cells, and regions of equally concentrated sunlight are matched to cell size and are substantially co-planar, so that the cells may be grouped on flat circuit cards.

Abstract: The invention provides tailored, biocompatible conduits for use as, for example, stents, vascular grafts, and drug delivery devices, and methods of making the conduits. The conduits are formed from a resin-impregnated matrix that is introduced to a site of interest in a malleable state, formed into a desired shape, and cured by exposure to radiant energy. The radiant energy may be visible light.

Abstract: A thread guiding wheel for use in textile machinery has a circumferential slot (8) adapted to receive a given yarn; the circumferential slot is generally V-shaped in section, having axially opposed walls (6, 7) which, in a radially inwards direction, converge to a base at which the walls intersect, the base of the V being sufficiently sharp to grip, between the axially opposed walls, a part of said yarn extending about at least a part of the circumference of the wheel.

Abstract: A method and means for bonding an object to a surface use emitted light from a chemiluminescent source to cure a photo-curable adhesive. This non-electrical source of light cures different photo-curable adhesives which can be tuned to different wavelengths of light emitted by different chemiluminescent sources. The curing is relatively quick and requires no electrical lighting in a wide range of environmental conditions, including under water and in air, with little or no ancillary support. An inexpensive and expendable photo-curable adhesive system is provided which is greatly simplified as compared to electrically powered curing systems.