Abstract: A vehicle includes a power connector configured to mate with an electrical power grid receptacle and receive a grid power therefrom and a heating and cooling system electrically connected to the power connector to receive grid power therefrom and configured to modify a temperature the vehicle cabin. The vehicle also includes a temperature control loop configured to selectively activate and control the heating and cooling system and a controller configured to receive a first input signal comprising a desired vehicle activation time and a second input signal comprising a starting vehicle cabin temperature and a desired vehicle cabin temperature. The controller determines a temperature control loop activation time based on the first and second input signals that is prior to the desired vehicle activation time and transmits an activation signal to the temperature control loop at the temperature control loop activation time to activate the heating and cooling system.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power connector configured to mate with an electrical power grid receptacle and receive a grid power therefrom and a heating and cooling system electrically connected to the power connector to receive grid power therefrom and configured to modify a temperature the vehicle cabin. The vehicle also includes a temperature control loop configured to selectively activate and control the heating and cooling system and a controller configured to receive a first input signal comprising a desired vehicle activation time and a second input signal comprising a starting vehicle cabin temperature and a desired vehicle cabin temperature. The controller determines a temperature control loop activation time based on the first and second input signals that is prior to the desired vehicle activation time and transmits an activation signal to the temperature control loop at the temperature control loop activation time to activate the heating and cooling system.

Abstract: A system for power generation includes a boiler configured to receive heat from an external source and a liquid stream and to generate a vapor stream. The liquid stream comprises a mixture of at least two liquids. The system also includes an expander configured to receive the vapor stream and to generate power and an expanded stream. A condenser is configured to receive the expanded stream and to generate the liquid stream. The system further includes a supply system coupled to the boiler or the condenser and configured to control relative concentration of the two liquids in the liquid stream.

Abstract: A system for power generation includes a boiler configured to receive heat from an external source and a liquid stream and to generate a vapor stream. The liquid stream comprises a mixture of at least two liquids. The system also includes an expander configured to receive the vapor stream and to generate power and an expanded stream. A condenser is configured to receive the expanded stream and to generate the liquid stream. The system further includes a supply system coupled to the boiler or the condenser and configured to control relative concentration of the two liquids in the liquid stream.

Abstract: A solar tile system is disclosed. The solar tile system includes a fluorescence collector having multiple edges and configured to receive light through a face and configured to direct light towards the edges by total internal reflectance. The system also includes a photovoltaic cell coupled to at least one of the edges and configured to receive the light and convert the light to electrical power. The system further includes an optically matched interface layer disposed between the fluorescence collector and the photovoltaic cell at the at least one edge.

Abstract: A tamper and/or intrusion detection system is provided for making a structure tamperproof. The tamper and/or intrusion detection system includes an energy source for transmitting energy through an energy-transmitting layer, and a detector for detecting a change in energy distribution within the energy-transmitting layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles for converting electromagnetic radiation to a useful form of energy such as electricity. The articles comprise double-sided photovoltaic cells and/or single-sided photovoltaic cells that can absorb electromagnetic radiation and can convert this radiation into electricity. In one embodiment, the article can comprise opposingly disposed single-sided photovoltaic cells that have a photoactive side and an inactive face respectively. The photovoltaic cells are therefore disposed between two panels or are disposed into a slot that is located on a panel surface that is opposed to the panel surface that is directly impinged by electromagnetic radiation. The articles can be used efficiently as solar panels.