Abstract: A submersible liquid-vapor generator (LVG) includes an evaporator portion in heat transfer communication with a heat energy source. The LVG also includes a magnetic field apparatus coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion. The LVG further includes a condenser portion coupled in flow communication with the magnetic field apparatus. The LVG also includes a hybrid working fluid including nanoparticles. The evaporator portion, the magnetic field portion, and the condenser portion at least partially define a hybrid working vapor flow path. The LVG further includes an electrically non-conductive wick structure coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion and the condenser portion. The wick structure at least partially defines a hybrid working liquid flow path extending between the condenser portion and the evaporator portion.

Abstract: A contactless power transfer system is provided. The system includes a first coil configured to produce a magnetic field. The system also includes a second coil configured to receive power from the first coil via the magnetic field. The system further includes a field focusing element. The field focusing element includes a plurality of resonators arranged in an array. Each of the plurality of resonators, upon excitation, interfere constructively in a direction of the second coil and interfere destructively in a remaining space to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil.

Abstract: Method for joining wires using low resistivity joints is provided. More specifically, methods of joining one or more wires having superconductive filaments, such as magnesium diboride filaments, are provided. The wires are joined by a low resistivity joint to form wires of a desired length for applications, such in medical imaging applications.

Abstract: A system for measuring nutritional parameters of food items is provided. The system includes a holding cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly that includes a transmitter antenna and at least one receiver antenna. The transmitter antenna is configured to transmit signals to a food item in the holding cavity. The receiver antenna is configured to receive response signals from the food item. The system includes at least one switch coupled to each antenna. The switch, in a first state, is configured to set the sensor assembly to an electric potential equal to that of the holding cavity. In a second state, the switch is configured to couple the sensor assembly to a power source. The system also includes a processing unit to process the signals received to determine the nutritional parameters of the food item.

Abstract: A permanent magnet machine and a rotor assembly for the permanent magnet machine. The permanent magnet machine includes a stator assembly including a stator core configured to generate a magnetic field and extending along a longitudinal axis with an inner surface defining a cavity and a rotor assembly including a rotor core and a rotor shaft. The rotor core is disposed inside the stator cavity and configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis. The rotor assembly further including a plurality of permanent magnets for generating a magnetic field which interacts with the stator magnetic field to produce torque. The permanent magnets are disposed within one or more cavities formed in a sleeve component. The sleeve component configured to include a plurality of cavities or voids therein and thus provide minimal weight to the permanent magnet machine. The permanent magnet machine providing increased centrifugal load capacity, increased power density and improved electrical performance.

Abstract: A system for measuring nutritional parameters of food items is provided. The system includes a holding cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly that includes a transmitter antenna and at least one receiver antenna. The transmitter antenna is configured to transmit signals to a food item in the holding cavity. The receiver antenna is configured to receive response signals from the food item. The system includes at least one switch coupled to each antenna. The switch, in a first state, is configured to set the sensor assembly to an electric potential equal to that of the holding cavity. In a second state, the switch is configured to couple the sensor assembly to a power source. The system also includes a processing unit to process the signals received to determine the nutritional parameters of the food item.

Abstract: A contactless power transfer system is provided. The system includes a first coil configured to produce a magnetic field. The system also includes a second coil configured to receive power from the first coil via the magnetic field. The system further includes a field focusing element. The field focusing element includes a plurality of resonators arranged in an array. Each of the plurality of resonators, upon excitation, interfere constructively in a direction of the second coil and interfere destructively in a remaining space to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a central opening that is configured to receive the rotor. The rotor includes a generally cylindrical first section comprising a first material mounted on an axially extending shaft within the central opening. The rotor further includes a second section having a second material of a predetermined thickness that is coated directly on at least a portion of the first section. The second material has a higher electrical conductivity relative to the first material.

Abstract: A contactless power transfer system is proposed. The system includes a first coil coupled to a power source and configured to produce a magnetic field. A second coil is configured to receive power from the first coil via the magnetic field. A field focusing element is disposed between the first coil and the second coil and configured as a self resonant coil having a standing wave current distribution. The field focusing element is further configured to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for cooling an electrical component. The cooling system includes a supply of liquid natural gas (LNG) and a heat sink configured to be positioned in thermal communication with the electrical component. The cooling system also includes an LNG conduit configured to be interconnected between the heat sink and the supply of LNG such that the LNG conduit is configured to carry LNG from the supply to the heat sink. A pump is configured to be operatively connected in fluid communication with the supply of LNG. The pump is configured to move LNG within the LNG conduit from the supply to the heat sink.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes an absorber layer comprising a material comprising cadmium and tellurium. The photovoltaic device further includes a p+-type semiconductor layer and an interlayer interposed between the absorber layer and the p+-type semiconductor layer. The interlayer comprises manganese. The photovoltaic device may be manufactured as a substrate-based device or as a superstrate base device.

Abstract: An electrical component comprises a superconductive wire, the wire comprising a first wire segment joined to a second wire segment, wherein the first wire segment and the second wire segment differ in at least one property selected from the group consisting of magnetic field tolerance, temperature tolerance, ac loss, and strain tolerance, and wherein the magnetic field tolerance is measured by the relationship of critical current Ic to magnetic field H at a given temperature T below critical temperature Tc, the temperature tolerance is measured by the relationship of critical current Ic to temperature T at a given magnetic field below critical magnetic field Hc, the ac loss is measured by the amount of ac loss versus the frequency and magnitude of applied ac currents and fields, and the strain tolerance is measured by critical current Ic degradation with strain.

Abstract: A direct current generating including an annular armature connectable to rotate with a rotating component of a wind turbine and a stationary annular field winding coaxial to the armature and separated by a gap from the armature. The field winding is configured to include superconducting coil magnets and a support structure connectable to an upper region of a tower of the wind turbine. The direct current generator further including a commutator assembly configured to transfer DC current generated by the rotating armature to a power conversion system.

Abstract: A method includes supplying current to at least one photovoltaic device via a current source and detecting emitted photon radiations from the at least one photovoltaic device via a radiation detector. The method also includes outputting a signal corresponding to the detected emitted photon radiations from the radiation detector to a processor device, and processing the signal corresponding to the detected emitted photon radiations via the processor device to generate one or more two-dimensional photon images. The method further includes analyzing the one or more two-dimensional photon images to determine at least one defect in the at least one photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A contactless power transfer system for a mobile asset is presented. The system includes a primary loop disposed adjacent to a location that is coupled to a power source. A secondary receiving coil is disposed on the mobile asset and coupled to a traction motor for receiving power from the primary loop. The power transfer system further includes a field-focusing element that can focus a magnetic field from the primary loop onto the secondary receiving coil, the field-focusing element having a non-linear current distribution.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device includes a first semiconductor layer; a p+-type semiconductor layer; and an interlayer interposed between the first semiconductor layer and the p+-type semiconductor layer, wherein the interlayer includes magnesium and tellurium.

Abstract: Method for joining wires using low resistivity joints is provided. More specifically, methods of joining one or more wires having superconductive filaments, such as magnesium diboride filaments, are provided. The wires are joined by a low resistivity joint to form wires of a desired length for applications, such in medical imaging applications.

Abstract: A magnetic separator comprising a separation chamber is provided. The separation chamber comprises a having an inlet and at least one outlet opposite the inlet in a downstream direction, and a magnetic source operatively coupled to the separation chamber. The magnetic source comprises a plurality of magnets that can be selectively turned off and on to create a dynamic magnetic field in the separation chamber.

Abstract: A magnetic separator comprising a separation chamber is provided. The magnetic separator comprises an inlet and at least one outlet, and a magnetic source operatively coupled to the separation chamber and comprising a plurality of magnets that can be selectively turned off and on to create a dynamic magnetic field in the separation chamber.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a subsurface heating device comprising: (a) a combustion conduit casing defining a combustion conduit; (b) at least two combustors disposed within the combustion conduit casing; (c) at least one fuel supply conduit; d) at least one oxygen supply conduit configured to supply oxygen to at least one combustor; and (e) a combustion product gas outlet. The at least two combustors are characterized by an inter-combustor distance of at least one thousand feet and a combustion power of at least 3.41 million BTU per hour. The at least one fuel supply conduit is configured to supply a combustible fuel to at least one combustor. Also provided in another aspect of the present invention, is a method for heating a subsurface zone.