Abstract: Thermo-responsive hydrogel composite (TRHC) desiccants having high adsorption capacities, fast adsorption/desorption rates, and low regeneration temperatures (Treg) compared to traditional desiccants. TRHC desiccants may be synthesized by freeze drying. The porous structures resulting from freeze drying copolymers of thermo-responsive polymers and/or hygroscopic agents may be combined with hygroscopic inorganic salts, resulting in TRHC desiccants having superior performance properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to magnetocaloric materials comprising alloys useful for magnetic refrigeration applications. In some embodiments, the disclosed alloys may be Cerium, Neodymium, and/or Gadolinium based compositions that are fairly inexpensive, and in some cases exhibit only 2nd order magnetic phase transitions near their curie temperature, thus there are limited thermal and structural hysteresis losses. This makes these compositions attractive candidates for use in magnetic refrigeration applications. Surprisingly, the performance of the disclosed materials is similar or better to many of the known expensive rare-earth based magnetocaloric materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to a cryogenic refrigeration system which may use a compression based cryocooler or liquid nitrogen pre-cool to cool a medium to ˜80K, and may in conjunction with a magnetic refrigeration system operating in the sub-80K temperature regime to provide cooling to a medium to temperatures below 80K. In some embodiments, the disclosed system may be useful for cooling on the order of about 3 kg/day to about 300 kg/day of hydrogen gas to liquid form, with higher efficiency than a standard vapor compression based system. This higher efficiency may make the system a more attractive candidate for use in cryogenic cooling applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thermo-responsive hydrogel composite (TRHC) desiccants having high adsorption capacities, fast adsorption/desorption rates, and low regeneration temperatures (Treg) compared to traditional desiccants. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, TRHC desiccants may be synthesized by freeze drying. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the porous structures resulting from freeze drying copolymers of thermo-responsive polymers and/or hygroscopic agents may be combined with hygroscopic inorganic salts, resulting in TRHC desiccants having superior performance properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to magnetocaloric materials comprising ternary alloys useful for magnetic refrigeration applications. The disclosed ternary alloys are Cerium, Neodymium, and/or Gadolinium based compositions that are fairly inexpensive, and in some cases exhibit only 2nd order magnetic phase transitions near their curie temperature, thus there are no thermal and structural hysteresis losses. This makes these compositions attractive candidates for use in magnetic refrigeration applications. The performance of the disclosed materials is similar or better to many of the known expensive rare-earth based magnetocaloric materials.

Abstract: Thermoelectric devices (TE) devices may be used to power wearable electronics, such as watches and sensors by harvesting heat from the body. These TE devices may fully power or partially power the wearable devices to extend a usage time, or to recharge a battery. In other example embodiments, TE devices can be used to provide heating and/or cooling. The TE devices can be integrated into garments such as clothes, vests, and armbands for outdoor and indoor environments. For outdoor environments, applications include, but are not limited to, sports such as golfing, bicycling, running, walking, training, soccer, hiking, and other outdoor activities related to occupations, such as construction, fire-fighting, military operations, law enforcement, farming, underground mining, and so on. In other example embodiments, TE devices can be used to provide thermal camouflaging for people and objects so as to not be seen by thermal imaging devices.

Abstract: This invention relates to magnetocaloric materials comprising alloys useful for magnetic refrigeration applications. In some embodiments, the disclosed alloys may be Cerium, Neodymium, and/or Gadolinium based compositions that are fairly inexpensive, and in some cases exhibit only 2nd order magnetic phase transitions near their curie temperature, thus there are limited thermal and structural hysteresis losses. This makes these compositions attractive candidates for use in magnetic refrigeration applications. Surprisingly, the performance of the disclosed materials is similar or better to many of the known expensive rare-earth based magnetocaloric materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to magnetocaloric materials comprising ternary alloys useful for magnetic refrigeration applications. The disclosed ternary alloys are Cerium, Neodymium, and/or Gadolinium based compositions that are fairly inexpensive, and in some cases exhibit only 2nd order magnetic phase transitions near their curie temperature, thus there are no thermal and structural hysteresis losses. This makes these compositions attractive candidates for use in magnetic refrigeration applications. The performance of the disclosed materials is similar or better to many of the known expensive rare-earth based magnetocaloric materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling device which utilizes both thermoelectric and magnetocaloric mechanisms for enhanced cooling applications. Using high thermal conductivity magnetocaloric composites in conjunction with thermoelectric elements acting as thermal switches which are electrically coupled to a magnetization and demagnetization cycle enables the use of larger quantities of magnetocaloric material, and high efficiency solid state cooling can be achieved. Solid state cooling devices are useful for a variety of industrial applications which require cooling, such as, but not limited to cooling of microelectronic devices, cooling on space platforms, etc.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, devices and materials are disclosed for spectrally selective coatings for optical surfaces having high solar absorptivity, low infrared emissivity, and strong durability at elevated temperatures. In one aspect, a spectrally selective coating includes a substrate formed of a light absorbing material, and a composite material formed over the substrate and including nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric material, in which the composite material forms a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material ink including a binder with a cellulosic ether, a thermoelectric element, and a thermoelectric device that are manufactured using the thermoelectric material ink, and a method of manufacturing the thermoelectric device are provided. A printed thermoelectric device having high thermoelectric performance may be manufactured using the thermoelectric material ink.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for fabricating and implementing optically absorbing coatings. In one aspect, an optically selective coating includes a substrate formed of a solar energy absorbing material, and a nanostructure material formed over the substrate as a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum. A concentrating solar power (CSP) system includes heat transfer fluids (HTFs); thermal energy storage system (TES); and solar receivers in communication with HTFs and including a light absorbing coating layer based on cobalt oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: Adaptive smart textiles that facilitate reduced energy consumption are described. In one implementation, a dual pane fabric arrangement includes a first pane of fabric and a second pane of fabric separated by an intra-layer gap, and an insert layer disposed in the intra-layer gap, wherein the insert layer causes a thickness of the intra-layer gap to change responsive to changes in ambient temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling device which utilizes both thermoelectric and magnetocaloric mechanisms for enhanced cooling applications. Using high thermal conductivity magnetocaloric composites in conjunction with thermoelectric elements acting as thermal switches which are electrically coupled to a magnetization and demagnetization cycle enables the use of larger quantities of magnetocaloric material, and high efficiency solid state cooling can be achieved. Solid state cooling devices are useful for a variety of industrial applications which require cooling, such as, but not limited to cooling of microelectronic devices, cooling on space platforms, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling device which utilizes both thermoelectric and magnetocaloric mechanisms for enhanced cooling applications. The incorporation of a magnetocaloric mechanism into a thermoelectric device provides additional cooling on the cold side of the device, and may improve the device efficiency, which is useful for many industrial applications, including cooling of microelectronic devices. Embodiments of the invention provide a cooling device comprising a hot side, a cold side, at least one thermoelectric element, at least one magnetocaloric material, at least one permanent magnet, and at least one mechanical movement system. In some embodiments, the magnetocaloric component of the cooling device is optimized to provide enhanced cooling on the cold side of the cooling device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for fabricating and implementing optically absorbing coatings. In one aspect, an optically selective coating includes a substrate formed of a solar energy absorbing material, and a nanostructure material formed over the substrate as a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum. A concentrating solar power (CSP) system includes heat transfer fluids (HTFs); thermal energy storage system (TES); and solar receivers in communication with HTFs and including a light absorbing coating layer based on cobalt oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention provides for a nanostructure, or an array of such nanostructures, each comprising a rough surface, and a doped or undoped semiconductor. The nanostructure is an one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructure, such a nanowire, or a two-dimensional (2-D) nanostructure. The nanostructure can be placed between two electrodes and used for thermoelectric power generation or thermoelectric cooling.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, devices and materials are disclosed for spectrally selective coatings for optical surfaces having high solar absorptivity, low infrared emissivity, and strong durability at elevated temperatures. In one aspect, a spectrally selective coating includes a substrate formed of a light absorbing material, and a composite material formed over the substrate and including nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric material, in which the composite material forms a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum.

Abstract: The invention provides for a nanostructure, or an array of such nanostructures, each comprising a rough surface, and a doped or undoped semiconductor. The nanostructure is an one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructure, such a nanowire, or a two-dimensional (2-D) nanostructure. The nanostructure can be placed between two electrodes and used for thermoelectric power generation or thermoelectric cooling.

Abstract: The invention provides for a nanostructure, or an array of such nanostructures, each comprising a rough surface, and a doped or undoped semiconductor. The nanostructure is an one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructure, such a nanowire, or a two-dimensional (2-D) nanostructure. The nanostructure can be placed between two electrodes and used for thermoelectric power generation or thermoelectric cooling.