Abstract: There is described a method for detecting a given gas species present in a gaseous sample. The method generally has splitting a primary optical pulse into first and second optical pulses, the primary optical pulse having a duration and carrying optical power within an excitation spectrum encompassing at least one absorption spectral band of the given gas species, the first optical pulse being propagated across an optical gas filter unit containing an amount of the given gas species and attenuating the first optical pulse at the at least one absorption band, one of i) the primary optical pulse and ii) the first and second optical pulses being propagated across the gaseous sample, and temporally delaying the first and second optical pulses from one another; measuring signal values of the delayed optical pulses; and detecting the presence of the given gas species in the gaseous sample based on the signal values.

Abstract: A method of incrementally enrolling a user's fingerprint onto a payment card includes authorising a predetermined number of transactions using the payment card with a non-biometric verification, such as a PIN, where the user presents their finger to an onboard biometric sensor of the payment card during each authorisation, and then generating a biometric template for the user's fingerprint using fingerprint data collected from each of the authorisations.

Abstract: The method of determining the presence of a spill of a petroleum product by the detection of a petroleum-derived volatile organic compound (VOC) generally has a step of providing an ultraviolet (UV) radiation generator and a receiver assembly aimed at a scene; a step of illuminating a distant target in the scene with a UV radiation beam, the UV radiation beam having an excitation wavelength being tuned to a resonance Raman excitation wavelength of the petroleum derived VOC; a step of receiving a return signal from the distant target; and a step of determining the presence of the petroleum-derived VOC upon detecting Raman scattering in the received return signal, the Raman scattering being indicative of a resonance Raman interaction between the UV radiation beam and molecules of the petroleum-derived VOC.

Abstract: Device for concentrating and harvesting sunlight comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of sunlight concentrating and harvesting units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical concentrating element, a photovoltaic cell sandwiched within the panel for converting sunlight into electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical concentrating element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of sunlight to the photovoltaic cell. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the photovoltaic cell away from the unit.

Abstract: The method of determining the presence of a spill of a petroleum product by the detection of a petroleum-derived volatile organic compound (VOC) generally has a step of providing an ultraviolet (UV) radiation generator and a receiver assembly aimed at a scene; a step of illuminating a distant target in the scene with a UV radiation beam, the UV radiation beam having an excitation wavelength being tuned to a resonance Raman excitation wavelength of the petroleum derived VOC; a step of receiving a return signal from the distant target; and a step of determining the presence of the petroleum-derived VOC upon detecting Raman scattering in the received return signal, the Raman scattering being indicative of a resonance Raman interaction between the UV radiation beam and molecules of the petroleum-derived VOC.

Abstract: A method of recycling mixtures of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid. In particular, a method of recycling hydrofluoric acid and boron fluoride mixtures. A process for upgrading mixtures of fluoroboron compounds contaminated with chlorides as an aqueous solution of boron fluoride hydrates, including a step of vacuum distillation. Also, a method of producing gaseous boron trifluoride.

Abstract: Illumination panel comprises: (1) a receiver substrate assembly including: (a) a rigid sheet of light transmissive material having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a conductor pattern attached to the first surface; and (b) at least one receiver assembly affixed to the rigid sheet, each receiver assembly including a light source in electrical communication with the conductor pattern; and (2) at least one light-guide optic attached to and supported by the receiver substrate assembly, each light-guide optic in optical communication with the photovoltaic cell of an associated one of the at least one receiver assembly for guiding light for output via the rigid sheet.

Abstract: Device for providing comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of illuminating units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical dispersing element, a light source sandwiched within the panel for generating light from electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the light source, the light source being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical dispersing element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of light generated by the light source to the outside of the device. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the light source away from the unit.

Abstract: Optics are provided for use in illumination devices the optics having a light guide, a redirecting layer including a plurality of lenses, and a plurality of reflector elements. Light from a light source enters the light guide and is guided therein until it escapes into a reflector element, which reflects at least some of the light received by the reflector element toward a corresponding lens for emission from the illumination device.

Abstract: Optics are provided for use in solar concentrators, the optics having a light guide, a redirecting layer including a plurality of lenses, and a plurality of reflector elements. Sunlight is received by the redirecting lenses, which focus the sunlight onto reflective surfaces of the reflector elements. The reflective surface of each reflector element redirects the light into the light guide, which guides the light toward a solar energy collector, such as a photovoltaic cell. The light from the light guide may be directed onto the solar energy collector by a light conditioning element.

Abstract: A solar concentrator, comprising: a substantially planar light insertion layer being made of light-transmissive material and including: an optical entry surface, an array of optical redirecting elements, and an array of optical exits being, each of the optical redirecting elements receiving and redirecting light towards an optical exit; a substantially planar light guide layer being made of light-transmissive material and including: a first surface for receiving light exiting the light insertion layer, a second surface opposite the first surface, the first and second surfaces being structured and arranged with one respect to the other such that light entering the light guide layer is guided to at least one optical output surface via a series of reflections; and an array of optical apertures optically interconnecting the light insertion layer and the light guide layer formed by at least one deformed optical coupling element. A method of manufacture thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solar concentrator comprising: a light-transmissive sheet including: a plurality of luminescent particles capable of becoming excited by absorbing light within at least a first spectrum of absorption frequencies and, once excited, capable of being stimulated to emit light having a spectrum within at least a first spectrum of emission frequencies; and a first light-guide; and a light source for generating a pulsed probe light having a spectrum, at least a portion of which is within at least the first spectrum of emission frequencies, for stimulating at least one of the excited luminescent particles having absorbed light within the first spectrum of absorption frequencies such that when the probe light traveling in a first direction of travel stimulates the excited luminescent, the excited luminescent particles emit emitted light having a spectrum within the first spectrum of emission frequencies in the first direction of travel of the probe light.

Abstract: A solar concentrator comprising: a light-transmissive sheet including: a plurality of luminescent particles capable of becoming excited by absorbing light within at least a first spectrum of absorption frequencies and, once excited, capable of being stimulated to emit light having a spectrum within at least a first spectrum of emission frequencies; and a first light-guide; and a light source for generating a pulsed probe light having a spectrum, at least a portion of which is within at least the first spectrum of emission frequencies, for stimulating at least one of the excited luminescent particles having absorbed light within the first spectrum of absorption frequencies such that when the probe light traveling in a first direction of travel stimulates the excited luminescent, the excited luminescent particles emit emitted light having a spectrum within the first spectrum of emission frequencies in the first direction of travel of the probe light.

Abstract: A method of recycling mixtures of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid. In particular, a method of recycling hydrofluoric acid and boron fluoride mixtures. A process for upgrading mixtures of fluoroboron compounds contaminated with chlorides as an aqueous solution of boron fluoride hydrates, including a step of vacuum distillation. Also, a method of producing gaseous boron trifluoride.

Abstract: Illumination panel comprises: (1) a receiver substrate assembly including: (a) a rigid sheet of light transmissive material having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a conductor pattern attached to the first surface; and (b) at least one receiver assembly affixed to the rigid sheet, each receiver assembly including a light source in electrical communication with the conductor pattern; and (2) at least one light-guide optic attached to and supported by the receiver substrate assembly, each light-guide optic in optical communication with the photovoltaic cell of an associated one of the at least one receiver assembly for guiding light for output via the rigid sheet.

Abstract: Concentrated photovoltaic panel comprises: (1) a receiver substrate assembly including: (a) a rigid sheet of light transmissive material having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a conductor pattern attached to the first surface; and (b) at least one receiver assembly affixed to the rigid sheet, each receiver assembly including a photovoltaic cell in electrical communication with the conductor pattern; and (2) at least one light-guide optic attached to and supported by the receiver substrate assembly, each light-guide optic in optical communication with the photovoltaic cell of an associated one of the at least one receiver assembly for guiding light received via the receiver substrate assembly toward said photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: Optics are provided for use in solar concentrators, the optics having a light guide, a redirecting layer including a plurality of lenses, and a plurality of reflector elements. Sunlight is received by the redirecting lenses, which focus the sunlight onto reflective surfaces of the reflector elements. The reflective surface of each reflector element redirects the light into the light guide, which guides the light toward a solar energy collector, such as a photovoltaic cell. The light from the light guide may be directed onto the solar energy collector by a light conditioning element.

Abstract: Device for concentrating and harvesting sunlight comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of sunlight concentrating and harvesting units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical concentrating element, a photovoltaic cell sandwiched within the panel for converting sunlight into electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical concentrating element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of sunlight to the photovoltaic cell. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the photovoltaic cell away from the unit.

Abstract: Device for providing comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of illuminating units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical dispersing element, a light source sandwiched within the panel for generating light from electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the light source, the light source being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical dispersing element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of light generated by the light source to the outside of the device. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the light source away from the unit.

Abstract: Optics are provided for use in illumination devices the optics having a light guide, a redirecting layer including a plurality of lenses, and a plurality of reflector elements. Light from a light source enters the light guide and is guided therein until it escapes into a reflector element, which reflects at least some of the light received by the reflector element toward a corresponding lens for emission from the illumination device.