Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus and methods thereof. The Apparatus having a flat and thin substrate, the substrate including at least one microfluidic testing device, each device with: plurality of Stationary Nanoliter Droplet Array (SNDA) components; a common inlet port and a distribution manifold, configured to enable an introduction of a fluid into all the primary channels; plurality of individual inlet ports, each coupled to a different primary channel, configured to enable an individual introduction of a fluid into its associated primary channel; and one or more outlet ports and optionally a collecting manifold, configured to evacuate liquid and/or gas flowing out thereof.

Abstract: There is provided an optical system, including a light-transmitting substrate (20) having at least two external major surfaces and edges, an optical element for coupling light waves into the substrate (20) by internal reflection, at least one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate (20), for coupling light waves out of the substrate (20), at least one transparent air gap film (110) including a base (112) and a hyperfine structure (111) defining a relief formation, constructed on the base, wherein the air gap film is attached to one of the major surfaces of the substrate (20), with the relief formation facing the substrate (20) defining an interface plane (58), so that the light waves coupled inside the substrate (20) are substantially totally reflected from the interface plane (58).

Abstract: An ice machine, comprising a pressure source configured to provide a gas above ambient pressure. The ice machine comprises an evaporator grid comprising a evaporator back board and an elastic substrate disposed over the evaporator back board, configured to elastically contract in thickness towards the evaporator back board. The evaporator grid comprises a gas valve in fluid communication with the pressure source. The ice machine comprises one or more controllers configured to initiate separation between the elastic substrate and an ice block that is formed in the evaporator grid. The gas valve is configured to inject the gas into a space formed by the separation, where the gas has a pressure above ambient pressure.

Abstract: There is provided an optical system, including a light-transmitting substrate (20) having at least two external major surfaces and edges, an optical element for coupling light waves into the substrate (20) by internal reflection, at least one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate (20), for coupling light waves out of the substrate (20), at least one transparent air gap film (110) including a base (112) and a hyperfine structure (111) defining a relief formation, constructed on the base, wherein the air gap film is attached to one of the major surfaces of the substrate (20), with the relief formation facing the substrate (20) defining an interface plane (58), so that the light waves coupled inside the substrate (20) are substantially totally reflected from the interface plane (58).

Abstract: There is provided an optical system, including a light-transmitting substrate (20) having at least two external major surfaces and edges, an optical element for coupling light waves into the substrate (20) by internal reflection, at least one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate (20), for coupling light waves out of the substrate (20), at least one transparent air gap film (110) including a base (112) and a hyperfine structure (111) defining a relief formation, constructed on the base, wherein the air gap film is attached to one of the major surfaces of the substrate (20), with the relief formation facing the substrate (20) defining an interface plane (58), so that the light waves coupled inside the substrate (20) are substantially totally reflected from the interface plane (58).

Abstract: There is provided an optical system, including a light-transmitting substrate (20) having at least two external major surfaces and edges, an optical element for coupling light waves into the substrate (20) by internal reflection, at least one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate (20), for coupling light waves out of the substrate (20), at least one transparent air gap film (110) including a base (112) and a hyperfine structure (111) defining a relief formation, constructed on the base, wherein the air gap film is attached to one of the major surfaces of the substrate (20), with the relief formation facing the substrate (20) defining an interface plane (58), so that the light waves coupled inside the substrate (20) are substantially totally reflected from the interface plane (58).

Abstract: There is provided an optical system, including a light-transmitting substrate (20) having at least two external major surfaces and edges, an optical element for coupling light waves into the substrate (20) by internal reflection, at least one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate (20), for coupling light waves out of the substrate (20), at least one transparent air gap film (110) including a base (112) and a hyperfine structure (111) defining a relief formation, constructed on the base, wherein the air gap film is attached to one of the major surfaces of the substrate (20), with the relief formation facing the substrate (20) defining an interface plane (58), so that the light waves coupled inside the substrate (20) are substantially totally reflected from the interface plane (58).

Abstract: An ice machine, comprising a pressure source configured to provide a gas above ambient pressure. The ice machine comprises an evaporator grid comprising a evaporator back board and an elastic substrate disposed over the evaporator back board, configured to elastically contract in thickness towards the evaporator back board. The evaporator grid comprises a gas valve in fluid communication with the pressure source. The ice machine comprises one or more controllers configured to initiate separation between the elastic substrate and an ice block that is formed in the evaporator grid. The gas valve is configured to inject the gas into a space formed by the separation, where the gas has a pressure above ambient pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of applying a coating to a glass sleeve with an inner surface and an outer surface, the glass sleeve configured as a part of a solar-receiver tube. Thereby, the coating is solely applied to one of the surfaces of the glass sleeve. Also disclosed is a method of fixing such glass sleeve in an interior of a coating tank, such coating tank and a fixing arrangement for fixing such glass sleeve in an interior of a coating tank.

Abstract: There is provided an optical system, including a light-transmitting substrate (20) having at least two external major surfaces and edges, an optical element for coupling light waves into the substrate (20) by internal reflection, at least one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate (20), for coupling light waves out of the substrate (20), at least one transparent air gap film (110) including a base (112) and a hyperfine structure (111) defining a relief formation, constructed on the base, wherein the air gap film is attached to one of the major surfaces of the substrate (20), with the relief formation facing the substrate (20) defining an interface plane (58), so that the light waves coupled inside the substrate (20) are substantially totally reflected from the interface plane (58).

Abstract: The invention relates to colored ice cubes, wherein the coloration is achieved by periodic or quasi-periodic nano- or micro-structures, embedded inside the volume of the ice cube, which serve as photonic structures. The invention also discloses apparatus and methods for the production of such colored ice cubes.

Abstract: A method of applying a coating to a glass sleeve with an inner surface and an outer surface, the glass sleeve configured as a part of a solar-receiver tube, is provided. Thereby, the coating is solely applied to one of the surfaces of the glass sleeve. A method of fixing such glass sleeve in an interior of a coating tank, such coating tank and a fixing arrangement for fixing such glass sleeve in an interior of a coating tank, is also provided.