Abstract: A modular building structure has a framework including a plurality of rods and connectors to interconnect the plurality of rods together, and empty spaces bordered by corresponding rods. A plurality of panels, wherein one panel is mounted inside each empty space and connected to the framework to create an interior, an air chamber layer inside which air may circulate. The air chamber layer forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the interior. At least one upper valve system is mounted in the upper portion of the structure, and at least one lower valve system is mounted in the lower portion of the structure. The upper and lower valve systems are selectively operable to regulate the thermal conditions inside the interior as a function of the meteorological conditions outside and a desired temperature inside. A method operates the upper and lower valve systems.

Abstract: An atmospheric water generation system and method. At least one atmospheric water generation unit is provided which includes at least two successive processing stages. Each processing stage includes an adsorbent structure including an adsorbent material, which adsorbent structure is coupled to an adjacent vapor chamber to allow vapor transfer thereto. During an adsorption phase, moist ambient air is circulated through the adsorbent structures to cause adsorption of water therein. During a desorption phase, thermal energy is provided to the adsorbent structures to cause water adsorbed therein the be desorbed into water vapor. This water vapor transits to the adjacent vapor chamber where the water vapor condenses into a condensate.

Abstract: A multi-stage adsorber device including a plurality of adsorption stages distributed in sequence, each including an adsorber coupled to an adjacent vapor chamber, wherein the adsorber of each following adsorption stage is thermally coupled to the vapor chamber of a preceding adsorption stage via a heat transfer structure. A heating stage is thermally coupled to a first one of the adsorption stages to selectively provide thermal energy to the adsorbers, while a cooling stage is thermally coupled to a final one of the adsorption stages to selectively cause condensation of desorbed vapor in the vapor chambers. The adsorber device further includes a cooling circuit having first and second cooling sections to selectively cause circulation of a cooling fluid through the cooling stage and through each of the adsorbers, respectively.

Abstract: A method of cooling a device generating thermal energy, which device may especially be a photovoltaic device. A thermally conductive substrate is provided, which is coupled to a portion of the device generating thermal energy to allow heat transfer therefrom to the thermally conductive substrate. A porous wick structure is further provided, which is coupled to the thermally conductive substrate. This porous wick structure is configured to be wettable by a liquid cooling medium and be partly exposed to air. The porous wick structure is wetted by means of the liquid cooling medium and subjected to the action of an airflow to cause evaporation of the liquid cooling medium at an interface between the wetted porous wick structure and air, thereby inducing cooling by evaporation. A cooling apparatus suitable for carrying out such method may also be provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular building structure (10) comprising: a framework (12) including a plurality of rods (14) and connectors (16) to interconnect the plurality of rods (14) together, the framework (12) comprising empty spaces bordered by corresponding rods (14) of said plurality of rods; a plurality of panels (20), wherein one panel (20) is mounted inside each empty space and connected to the framework (12) in order to create an interior (40), an air chamber layer (44) inside which air may circulate, said air chamber layer (44) forming at least a portion of an outer surface of said interior (40), at least one upper valve system (46a) mounted in the upper portion of the structure (10), and at least one lower valve system (46b) mounted in the lower portion of the structure (10).