Abstract: Heat buffer comprising at least mechanically coupled wall parts, wherein each of the wall parts comprises a substantially plate-like body; a liquid throughflow circuit incorporated in the body; one or more hydraulic couplings accessible from the outer side of the wall part for discharge and supply of liquid to the liquid throughflow circuit and configured for coupling to hydraulic couplings of a similar device; and is coupled at a mutual angle about a substantially vertical axis to a similar wall part, wherein the mechanically coupled devices are connected such that they enclose one space and wherein the heat buffer also comprises a floor and/or cover part for closing the enclosed space on an upper and/or underside.

Abstract: Underground thermal energy storage in a cylindrical or n-gonal prism shape with a vertical axis, comprising an inner volume for holding a liquid, an outer wall, an inner wall around the inner volume, and a filling layer between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall comprises a series of modular wall parts provided with a heat exchanger for exchanging thermal energy with the liquid. The modular wall parts, arranged in rings, contact the inner volume and have an elastic sealing limiting liquid flow between the inner volume and the filling layer and taking up thermal expansion of the modular wall parts. The filling layer comprises an insulating layer designed to keep the outer wall below 30° C. when the inner volume is at least 90° C., and a structural layer for maintaining the insulating layer and the inner wall's modular wall parts in position.

Abstract: Underground thermal energy storage in a cylindrical or n-gonal prism shape with a vertical axis, comprising an inner volume for holding a liquid, an outer wall, an inner wall around the inner volume, and a filling layer between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall comprises a series of modular wall parts provided with a heat exchanger for exchanging thermal energy with the liquid. The modular wall parts, arranged in rings, contact the inner volume and have an elastic sealing limiting liquid flow between the inner volume and the filling layer and taking up thermal expansion of the modular wall parts. The filling layer comprises an insulating layer designed to keep the outer wall below 30° C. when the inner volume is at least 90° C., and a structural layer for maintaining the insulating layer and the inner wall's modular wall parts in position.

Abstract: Heat buffer comprising at least mechanically coupled wall parts, wherein each of the wall parts comprises a substantially plate-like body; a liquid throughflow circuit incorporated in the body; one or more hydraulic couplings accessible from the outer side of the wall part for discharge and supply of liquid to the liquid throughflow circuit and configured for coupling to hydraulic couplings of a similar device; and is coupled at a mutual angle about a substantially vertical axis to a similar wall part, wherein the mechanically coupled devices are connected such that they enclose one space and wherein the heat buffer also comprises a floor and/or cover part for closing the enclosed space on an upper and/or underside.

Abstract: Heat buffer comprising at least mechanically coupled wall parts, wherein each of the wall parts comprises a substantially plate-like body; a liquid throughflow circuit incorporated in the body; one or more hydraulic couplings accessible from the outer side of the wall part for discharge and supply of liquid to the liquid throughflow circuit and configured for coupling to hydraulic couplings of a similar device; and is coupled at a mutual angle about a substantially vertical axis to a similar wall part, wherein the mechanically coupled devices are connected such that they enclose one space and wherein the heat buffer also comprises a floor and/or cover part for closing the enclosed space on an upper and/or underside.

Abstract: The invention provides an underground thermal energy storage having a shape selected from substantially cylindrical and an n-gonal prism, having an axial direction that in use is vertical, and comprising an inner volume for holding a liquid, said energy storage device comprising a peripheral outer wall, a peripheral inner wall around said inner volume, and a filling layer between said inner wall and said outer wall, said inner wall comprising a series of modular wall parts provided with a heat exchanger for exchanging thermal energy with said liquid, said modular wall parts arranged in rings and said modular wall parts each having opposite radial surfaces that are in use vertical, an inner tangential surface contacting said inner volume, an outer tangential surface directed towards said outer wall, and opposite axial surfaces that are in use horizontal, said modular wall parts comprising an elastic sealing between a joint of adjacent radial surfaces for limiting liquid flow between the inner volume and the fi

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for forming electromechanical systems (EMS) displays where the area of a substrate occupied by a pixel circuit can be reduced if portions of the pixel circuit can be built in three dimensions. In some aspects, certain EMS displays can incorporate structures that are substantially normal to the surface of a substrate. Incorporating circuit components, such as transistors, into such structures, can reduce the area they occupy within the plane of the substrate. In some aspects, the components of a transistor can be fabricated directly into a MEMS anchor that supports a light modulator or a portion of an actuator over the substrate. In some other aspects, the transistor can be fabricated on one or more sidewalls of any MEMS structure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for forming electromechanical systems (EMS) displays where the area of a substrate occupied by a pixel circuit can be reduced if portions of the pixel circuit can be built in three dimensions. In some aspects, certain EMS displays can incorporate structures that are substantially normal to the surface of a substrate. Incorporating circuit components, such as transistors, into such structures, can reduce the area they occupy within the plane of the substrate. In some aspects, the components of a transistor can be fabricated directly into a MEMS anchor that supports a light modulator or a portion of an actuator over the substrate. In some other aspects, the transistor can be fabricated on one or more sidewalls of any MEMS structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods and methods of manufacture for, among other things, a MEMS device may be provided with a pair of electrodes that are separated by a gap. At least one of the electrodes is movable toward the other electrode. The MEMS device may include a beam that is positioned within the gap and arranged between the electrodes. As the movable electrode moves toward the other electrode, a portion of the MEMS device also moves towards, comes into contact with, and deflects the beam. As the beam deflects, it applies a force upon the MEMS device that opposes the movement of electrode toward the other electrode.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed, including a light collector having a plurality of focusing elements and a plurality of light redirecting features that is optically coupled to one or more photovoltaic (PV) cells. In one aspect, the light collector includes half-cylinder shaped lenses that can focus light incident at various angles onto an elongate v-groove in the light guide such that a first portion of the incident light is diverted to one or more PV cells and a second portion of the incident light is transmitted through the light collector to provide illumination.

Abstract: This disclosure provides mechanical layers and methods of forming the same. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems device includes a substrate and a mechanical layer having an actuated position and a relaxed position. The mechanical layer is spaced from the substrate to define a collapsible gap. The gap is in a collapsed condition when the mechanical layer is in the actuated position and in a non-collapsed condition when the mechanical layer is in the relaxed position. The mechanical layer includes a reflective layer, a conductive layer, and a supporting layer. The supporting layer is positioned between the reflective layer and the conductive layer and is configured to support the mechanical layer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus relating to implementations of a switchable substrate that can be used in an imaging device. In one aspect, the switchable substrate includes a plurality of pixels, with each pixel having at least one switchable element. The switchable element can be switched between a first optical state and a second optical state. In the first optical state, a first spectral band of broadband light is reflected from the switchable element while a second spectral band is transmitted through the switchable element. In the second optical state, the first spectral band of the broadband light is transmitted through the switchable element while the second spectral band is reflected from the switchable element.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus including a light collector having a plurality of micro-lens and a plurality of multi-cone light redirecting structure that is optically coupled to one or more photovoltaic cells. In one aspect, the plurality of micro-lens is provided in an organic glass panel that is attached to an inorganic glass substrate. The inorganic glass substrate includes a material that is substantially opaque to radiation in the ultraviolet spectral range. During use, the light collector is disposed such that the inorganic glass substrate is exposed to the exterior to prevent a portion of the ultraviolet radiation incident on the light collector from being transmitted to the organic glass panel.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus including a light collector having a plurality of micro-lens and a plurality of multi-cone light redirecting structure that is optically coupled to one or more photovoltaic cells. In one aspect, the light collector includes a micro-lens array having a plurality of micro-lens that focus incident light onto a light guide including a plurality of multi-cone light redirecting structure. Each of the plurality of multi-cone light redirecting structure is configured to divert the focused light towards one or more photovoltaic cells disposed along the edge of the light guide. Each multi-cone light redirecting structure includes a central cone shaped structure surrounded by several secondary cone-shaped structures.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for testing an electromechanical systems (EMS) device. In one aspect, a laser is directed at a driven EMS device, and the reflected light pattern is analyzed to provide information regarding the characteristics of the driven EMS device. In some aspects, the reflected light pattern is analyzed to determine a resonant frequency of the EMS device or the damping forces acting on the EMS device. The resonant frequency can then be used to determine stresses within the EMS device, or pressure or temperature within a device package encapsulating the EMS device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides photovoltaic apparatus and methods of forming the same. In one implementation, a method of forming a photovoltaic device includes forming a plurality of substrate features on a surface of a glass substrate, the substrate features having a depth dimension in the range of about 10 ?m to about 1000 ?m and a width dimension in the range of about 10 ?m to about 1000 ?m. The method further includes forming a thin film solar cell over the surface of the glass substrate including over the plurality of substrate features.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for estimating the lifetime or remaining lifetime of an electromechanical systems (EMS) device. In one aspect, a parameter of the device, such as a release or actuation voltage, is measured. The parameter measurement is used in conjunction with a model of the aging of the device according to the measured parameter to determine an estimated remaining lifetime of the device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to reduce or eliminate stiction and image retention in interferometric display devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a display element comprises a plurality of interferometric modulator devices configured in a matrix, each interferometric modulator device having a movable reflective layer and a plurality of supporting posts, the plurality of posts defining a post spacing distance in at least one direction that is greater for one or more interferometric modulator devices disposed adjacent to an edge of the display element than one or more interferometric modulator devices disposed nonadjacent to an edge of the display element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to reduce or eliminate stiction and image retention in interferometric display devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a display element comprises a plurality of interferometric modulator devices configured in a matrix, each interferometric modulator device having a movable reflective layer and a plurality of supporting posts, the plurality of posts defining a post spacing distance in at least one direction that is greater for one or more interferometric modulator devices disposed adjacent to an edge of the display element than one or more interferometric modulator devices disposed nonadjacent to an edge of the display element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of treating a surface of a Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) device reduces or eliminates performance degradation due to charge migration and accumulation. Briefly, the method may include treating a dielectric surface of the MEMS device to replace hydroxyl groups with electrically neutral molecules, thereby converting the dielectric surface from a hydrophilic to a substantially hydrophobic nature. A MEMS device having a surface treated using the aforementioned method is also disclosed.