Abstract: A solar thermal system is provided. The system comprises at least one solar thermal collector for heating a heat transfer fluid (HTF); and at least one conduit for transporting the HTF into and out of the at least one solar thermal collector; wherein said at least one conduit is of a foam or plastics material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a heat exchange construct is provided.

Abstract: A solar collector is provided. The collector comprises a monolithic flow control component to direct a flow of the heat transfer fluid between an inlet and outlet; and a solar absorber supported by the monolithic flow control component. The monolithic flow control component is able to support the solar absorber without any additional structural components to lend mechanical strength to the monolithic flow control component.

Abstract: A solar thermal collector is provided. The collector comprises a housing defining an inlet, and an outlet for a heat transfer fluid, said housing comprising a window to allow sunlight to pass there through; a heat transfer core disposed within the interior of the housing said housing designed to be heated by exposure to said sunlight; and a heat absorbing component in proximity to the heat transfer core, said heat absorbing component designed to at least partially absorb heat losses from the heat transfer core; wherein a positioning the components within the housing defines at least one path for the heat transfer fluid for preheating of the heat transfer fluid prior to said heat transfer fluid passing through the heat transfer core.

Abstract: A hybrid solar thermal collector is provided. The hybrid solar collector comprises a photovoltaic element to convert sunlight into electricity; and a solar thermal collector device comprising an absorber element to convert sunlight into heat; wherein the absorber element is immersed in a heat transfer fluid in use.

Abstract: In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid in the form of an aerogel. The heat transfer core positioned comprises a light absorption element, and a fluid transfer element in the form of an aerogel. The aero gel comprises voids shaped and dimensioned to support passive pumping of the heat transfer fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A hybrid solar thermal collector is provided. The hybrid solar collector comprises a photovoltaic element to convert sunlight into electricity; and a solar thermal collector device comprising an absorber element to convert sunlight into heat; wherein the absorber element is immersed in a heat transfer fluid in use.

Abstract: In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid. The collector makes use of the heat transfer fluid itself to prevent heat loss through radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid. The collector makes use of the heat transfer fluid itself to prevent heat loss through radiation.

Abstract: Improvements in an interferometric modulator that has a cavity defined by two walls.

Abstract: In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid in the form of an aerogel. The heat transfer core positioned comprises a light absorption element, and a fluid transfer element in the form of an aerogel. The aero gel comprises voids shaped and dimensioned to support passive pumping of the heat transfer fluid therethrough.

Abstract: In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid. The collector makes use of the heat transfer fluid itself to prevent heat loss through radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid. The collector makes use of the heat transfer fluid itself to prevent heat loss through radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid. The collector makes use of the heat transfer fluid itself to prevent heat loss through radiation.

Abstract: A solar thermal system is provided. The system comprises a solar thermal collector, comprising: a solar absorber to convert incident sunlight into heat; a transparent insulating component positioned relative to the solar absorber to allow sunlight to pass through to the solar absorber, and to reduce heat losses from the solar absorbed; wherein the transparent insulating component comprises a nano-porous matrix; and a heat exchanger coupled to the solar thermal collector.

Abstract: Improvements in an interferometric modulator that has a cavity defined by two walls.

Abstract: A hybrid solar thermal collector is provided. The hybrid solar collector comprises a photovoltaic element to convert sunlight into electricity; and a solar thermal collector device comprising an absorber element to convert sunlight into heat; wherein the absorber element is immersed in a heat transfer fluid in use.

Abstract: A solar thermal collector is provided. The collector comprises a housing defining an inlet, and an outlet for a heat transfer fluid, said housing comprising a window to allow sunlight to pass there through; a heat transfer core disposed within the interior of the housing said housing designed to be heated by exposure to said sunlight; and a heat absorbing component in proximity to the heat transfer core, said heat absorbing component designed to at least partially absorb heat losses from the heat transfer core; wherein a positioning the components within the housing defines at least one path for the heat transfer fluid for preheating of the heat transfer fluid prior to said heat transfer fluid passing through the heat transfer core.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for rotating an impeller device. Said method comprises (a) positioning at least one ejector tube to eject a working fluid onto the impeller device; (b) locating a kinetic droplet in an ejector tube; (c) introducing a charge of vapor into the ejector tube behind the kinetic droplet so that expansion of the vapor in the ejector tube causes the kinetic droplet to accelerate out of the ejector tube and to impinge on the impeller device; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) in a synchronized fashion.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a device for modulating light. The device comprises a plurality of nano-scale particles; a conformal structure defining a surface to which the nano-scale particles conform under influence of a displacement force; and a displacement mechanism to apply the displacement force to the nano-scale particles; wherein the nano-scale particles when they conform to the conformal structure change the optical characteristics of the conformal structure.