Abstract: A transportable photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic devices, a composite frame to which the plurality of photovoltaic devices are affixed, and a base structure to which the composite frame is movably attached through at least one variable-angle mount structure. The orientation of the frame and the light concentrating elements relative to the base structure can be altered employing the at least one variable-angle mount structure. The frame and the plurality of photovoltaic devices can be assembled prior to shipping, and the base structure can be manufactured on site. The transportable photovoltaic system is not affixed to ground or other fixture, but can be picked up at any time during the operational lifetime. The transportable photovoltaic system can be rapidly deployed with little or no site preparation requirement other than generally level ground, and can be retracted to a lower exposure position to avoid storm and/or hazardous conditions.

Abstract: A solar energy alignment and collection system includes at least two solar energy receivers having a central focal point, with each of the at least two solar energy receivers generating an energy output. An actuation system is operatively coupled to the at least two solar energy receivers and is configured and disposed to shift the solar energy receivers along at least one axis. A control system, operatively linked to the solar receivers and the actuation system, senses the energy output of each solar energy receiver and shifts the actuation system along the at least one axis causing solar energy to be directed at the central focal point. When solar energy is directed at the central focal point, the energy output of each solar energy receiver is substantially identical.

Abstract: A system and method to improve long term reliability of an integrated circuit package containing a patterned metal thermal interface (PMTI), the method including: coupling a heat sink to a heat source; providing a PMTI material between the heat source and the heat sink; providing a partial containment of a compressed malleable metal to impede the PMTI from being inched-out of its location under a bearing load.

Abstract: Techniques for analyzing performance of solar panels and/or cells are provided. In one aspect, a method for analyzing an infrared thermal image taken using an infrared camera is provided. The method includes the following steps. The infrared thermal image is converted to temperature data. Individual elements are isolated in the infrared thermal image. The temperature data for each isolated element is tabulated. A performance status of each isolated element is determined based on the tabulated temperature data. The individual elements can include solar panels and/or solar cells. In another aspect, an infrared diagnostic system is provided. The infrared diagnostic system includes an infrared camera which can be remotely positioned relative to one or more elements to be imaged; and a computer configured to receive thermal images from the infrared camera, via a communication link, and analyze the thermal images.

Abstract: An apparatus for nano lithography includes a mask having a pattern formed thereon and a pneumatic pressure driving source for applying a pneumatic pressure to at least one of a surface of the mask and a surface of a workpiece, thereby to uniformly transfer the pattern from the mask to the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of cooling a solar concentrator includes absorbing heat from solar energy collectors into a chamber section. The chamber section is arranged below, in a heat exchange relationship, the solar energy collectors.

Abstract: A light pipe that can be employed for a Concentrator Photo-Voltaic (CPV) system is provided. The light pipe homogenizes light by diffusion and/or refraction, and can be embodied in a structure that has a low aspect ratio. The diffusion and/or refraction can be effected by concave or convex surfaces of a transparent medium that forms a body of the light pipe, by light diffracting particles, and/or by a diffracting surface. Optionally, multiple transparent media can be employed with a refracting and/or diffracting interface therebetween. The reduced aspect ratio of the light pipe can improve reliability of mechanical alignment in the CPV system as well as reducing the cost of manufacturing and/or aligning the light pipe within the CPV system.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system includes a reference member, a support member rotatably mounted relative to the reference member, and a drive system operatively coupled between the reference member and the support member. The drive system includes a linear actuator having a fixed portion operatively connected to the reference member and a strut portion that is selectivity extendable relative to the fixed portion. The strut portion includes an end section. A first connector member is operatively connected between the reference member and the end section of the strut portion, and a second connector member is operatively connected between the support member and the end section of the strut portion. Selective extension and retraction of the strut portion relative to the fixed portion selectively shifts the support member along a desired path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for chip cooling. One embodiment of an apparatus for cooling a heat-generating device includes an inlet for receiving a fluid, a manifold comprising a plurality of apertures formed therein for decreasing the pressure of the fluid from a first pressure by adiabatic expansion for impinging the fluid on the heat-generating device once the pressure of the fluid is decreased from the first pressure.

Abstract: A substrate has a top side and a bottom side. A solar cell is secured to the top side of the substrate and has an anode and a cathode. A heat transfer element is secured to the bottom side of the substrate. An anode pad is formed on the top side of the substrate and is coupled to the anode of the solar cell; similarly, a cathode pad is formed on the top side of the substrate and is coupled to the cathode of the solar cell. The substrate coefficient of thermal expansion and the solar cell coefficient of thermal expansion match within plus or minus ten parts per million per degree C.

Abstract: A polylaminate film system for protecting optical surfaces, such as a lens, has plural polymer thin films arranged in a polylaminate stack, with each thin film coupled to adjacent films via solvent welding. The film system is adhered to the optical surface to be protected and, as each film in the stack becomes damaged or dirty, it may be sequentially removed to present a clean film surface. The transparent film may be composed of the same material as the optical surface to minimize distortion and loss of optical transmission when radiation passes through the combined film and lens.

Abstract: The present invention is a patterned metal thermal interface. In one embodiment a system for dissipating heat from a heat-generating device includes a heat sink having a first surface adapted for thermal coupling to a first surface of the heat generating device and a thermal interface having at least one patterned surface, the thermal interface being adapted to thermally couple the first surface of the heat sink to the first surface of the heat generating device. The patterned surface of the thermal interface allows the thermal interface to deform under compression between the heat sink and the heat generating device, leading to better conformity of the thermal interface to the surfaces of the heat sink and the heat generating device.

Abstract: A method (and apparatus) of imprint lithography, includes imprinting, via a patterned mask, a pattern into a resist layer on a substrate, and overlaying a cladding layer over the imprinted resist layer. A portion of the cladding layer is used as a hard mask for a subsequent processing.

Abstract: A system for imprint lithography, which includes a substrate, a patterned mask, an imprint applying unit that imprints, via the patterned mask, a pattern into a resist layer on the substrate, and an overlay device that overlays a cladding layer over the substrate.

Abstract: A method of concentrating solar energy includes receiving solar energy through a surface of an optically clear shell, guiding the solar energy through a liquid contained in the optically clear shell, folding the solar energy back through the liquid toward a solar receiver, and shifting the solar receiver within the optically clear shell to track the sun, wherein the solar energy collected by the solar receiver is converted into electrical energy.

Abstract: The present invention is an air/fluid cooling system. In one embodiment an apparatus for dissipating heat from a heat-generating device includes a base having a first side configured for thermal coupling to the heat-generating device, an air-based cooling path coupled to the base, for dissipating at least a portion of the heat via air, and a fluid-based cooling path coupled to the base, for dissipating at least a portion of the heat via a fluid. The air-based cooling path and the fluid-based cooling path may be operated simultaneously or individually to dissipate heat from the heat generating device and to allow access to the cooling system, for example for maintenance, repairs and upgrades.

Abstract: Techniques for cooling in a data center are provided. In one aspect, a computer equipment rack is provided comprising one or more air inlets; one or more exhaust outlets; and one or more of: an air inlet duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the air inlets, the air inlet duct having a lateral dimension that approximates a lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than a length of the computer equipment rack, and an air exhaust duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the exhaust outlets, the air exhaust duct having a lateral dimension that approximates the lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than the length of the computer equipment rack.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for chip cooling. One embodiment of a system for cooling a heat-generating device, such as a semiconductor chip, includes a vaporization chamber for at least partially vaporizing a stream of liquid in a stream of a gas to produce a mixture of gas, vapor and liquid and a heat sink coupled to the vaporization chamber for transferring heat from the heat-generating device to the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is hybrid liquid metal-solder thermal interface. In one embodiment, a thermal interface for coupling a heat generating device to a heat sink includes a first metal interface layer, a second metal interface layer, and an isolation layer positioned between the first metal interface layer and the second metal interface layer, where at least one of the first metal interface layer and the second metal interface layer comprises a liquid metal.

Abstract: A solar concentration system includes an optically clear shell member having an outer surface and an inner surface, with the inner surface defining a hollow interior portion, a liquid contained within the hollow interior portion of the optically clear shell, and a solar collection system contained within the hollow interior portion of the optically clear shell. The solar collection system includes a tracking system configured and disposed to selectively shift within the hollow interior portion, a reflector member mounted to the tracking system, and a solar receiver mounted to the tracking system. The tracking system being configured and disposed orient the reflector member and the solar receiver to follow a path of the sun enhancing the collection of solar energy.