Abstract: An optical displacement sensor is provided according to one embodiment. The optical displacement sensor comprises a housing; a displacement member coupled to the housing, configured to contact an object under test and move based on displacement of the object under test; a light emitter coupled to the housing; an optical transducer coupled to the housing; and a reflecting surface coupled to the displacement member to reflect at least a part of the light emitted from the light emitter to the optical transducer, such that movement of the displacement member modifies intensity distribution of the light reflected to the optical transducer.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor is provided according to one embodiment. The optical displacement sensor comprises a housing; a displacement member coupled to the housing, configured to contact an object under test and move based on displacement of the object under test; a light emitter coupled to the housing; an optical transducer coupled to the housing; and a reflecting surface coupled to the displacement member to reflect at least a part of the light emitted from the light emitter to the optical transducer, such that movement of the displacement member modifies intensity distribution of the light reflected to the optical transducer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hybrid solar concentration device comprising: (a) a solar collector configured to direct solar radiation to a photovoltaic cell and a heat exchanger; (b) a heat exchanger configured to heat a working fluid with a first energy component of the solar radiation; and (c) a photovoltaic cell configured to generate electricity from a second energy component of the solar radiation. Also provided are systems for generating electric power comprising one or more of the novel hybrid solar concentration devices and methods for generating electric power using such systems.