Abstract: Systems and methods for operating environmental equipment using heat absorbed by manufactured surface coverings from incident solar radiation where fluid in conduits carried in the manufactured surface covering is heated and supplied to a heat exchanger to provide heat for various environmental equipment such as a hot water supply, a turbine-driven electrical generator, a chiller, a water purification system, and/or a distillation system. Efficiencies are maximized by use of thermally conducted aggregates in the manufactured surface covering.

Abstract: A system for operating environmental equipment with improved efficiency including a surface covering having fluid carrying conduits and surface structure heated by solar radiation to heat the fluid with the fluid carrying conduits having non-round cross-sectional shapes to provide increased heat transfer contact surfaces, a heat exchanger communicating with the conduits and energy conversion equipment coupled with the heat exchanger to utilize the heat generated energy for operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating environmental equipment using heat absorbed by manufactured surface coverings from incident solar radiation where fluid in conduits carried in the manufactured surface covering is heated and supplied to a heat exchanger to provide heat for various environmental equipment such as a hot water supply, a turbine-driven electrical generator, a chiller, a water purification system, and/or a distillation system. Efficiencies are maximized by use of thermally conducted aggregates in the manufactured surface covering.

Abstract: Methods of modifying surface coverings to embed conduits therein to collect solar heat energy including grinding away a portion of the surface covering, installing a network of conduits in the recess and filling the recess to cover the conduits with a material capable of transferring heat from solar radiation to the conduits and a method for modifying a surface covering to embed conduits therein to collect solar heat energy including softening the surface covering, forming a channel in the softened surface covering, pressing a conduit into the channel and filling the channel with thermal conductive material to cover the conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for harnessing heat energy uses at least one thermally conductive material in communication with a heat collecting material in order to conduct heat from a first region of the heat collecting material to a second region of the heat collecting material. The thermally conductive material can be interspersed within the heat collecting material and/or applied externally to the heat collecting material. Heat drawn from the second portion can be stored and/or converted into another form of energy for providing power to a structure or vehicle. Conversion can use the differential between the temperature of the second region and the temperature of a cold sink. Additional heat can be added to the heat collecting material.

Abstract: A method for powering a vehicle comprises, in one embodiment, receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from a roadway surface, and converting energy of the infrared radiation to a form of energy that is useful for providing power to the vehicle. In another embodiment, a method for powering a vehicle comprises: insulating a first region of a road's surface with a material that transmits visible light but blocks infrared radiation, while leaving a second region of the surface uninsulated; conducting heat from portions of the road beneath the first region, to the second region; receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from the second region; and converting energy of the infrared radiation to a form of energy that is useful for providing power to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for powering a vehicle comprises, in one embodiment, receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from a roadway surface, and converting energy of the infrared radiation to a form of energy that is useful for providing power to the vehicle.