Abstract: A modular flat plate solar collector for fluid such as air or water includes a plurality of stacked, separable solar collector elements or sub-assemblies. Removable fastening members maintain the sub-assemblies in intimate contact with each other during operation and permit access and replacement of the sub-assemblies for repair purposes. This modular approach provides a reliable, low-cost and structurally strong unit. The use of a flow channel plate having passages with aspect ratios substantially in the range of 20 or greater further improves the performance and efficiency of the collector.

Abstract: A solar energy collector comprising a collector plate having a solar energy absorbing surface; a first network of intersecting walls disposed on said collector plate and forming a plurality of cavities thereon; and a second network of three-dimensional members disposed on said first network, said three-dimensional members having reflective surfaces approximately parallel to said collector plate and reflective surfaces in two other dimensions, said three-dimensional members further defining apertures in each of said cavities for admitting incident solar radiation to said cavities. The collector utilizes the absorption advantages of a black body while surpassing the emission characteristics of a selective surface.

Abstract: A solar fluid heater includes a first planar surfaced collector for transmitting solar energy to heat a fluid located in a plurality of passages adjacently disposed to the collector. A honeycomb convection suppressor includes sidewalls orthogonally disposed to the planar surface of the collector for reducing convection heat losses. A selective coating disposed over the planar surface reduces radiation losses. Insulator material is disposed on the bottom side of the fluid carrying passages further minimizing losses from the heated fluid or water. In a dual sided fluid heater embodiment, another honeycomb conduction suppressor is disposed on the other side of the planar surfaced collector and direct and reflected solar energy is transmitted through both a top and bottom outer cover. SPThis is a division of application Ser. No. 588,977, filed June 20, 1975, abandoned.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an integrated semiconductor structure with combined dielectric and PN junction isolation including the fabrication method therefor wherein a compensating P type channel is formed adjacent to the dielectric side isolation across one end portion of the electrically isolated N type collector region as well as around the bottom portion of the dielectric side isolation material or layer in order to overcome the N channel inversion (in P type semiconductor material) that is formed when the dielectric isolation material is silicon dioxide. The disclosed structure is an NPN transistor device having a buried sub-collector region of N+ type conductivity and further includes a P type substrate thereby providing a PN junction isolating substrate. The silicon dioxide material or layer is used to electrically isolate the side portions of the NPN transistor device from adjacent devices.

Abstract: Solar cells having rounded edges are provided by ion implantation of a semiconductor body having rounded edges. Individual cells can be fabricated or a continuous ribbon of semiconductor material, the ribbon having rounded edges, can be subjected to ion implantation at its surfaces and scribed to provide discrete cells.