The present disclosure relates to osmotic power plants and method for their operation. For example, a method for operating an osmotic power plant may include: supplying a starting solution containing a first substance to the thermal separating facility; evaporating the starting solution in an evaporator; discharging the substance out of the evaporator with a gaseous medium flowing through the evaporator; converting the discharged substance to a liquid phase in a condenser and thereby generating the first solution; wherein the substance is more easily converted to a gas phase than the solvent of the starting solution. The first solution has a first concentration the substance dissolved in a solvent. A second solution has a second, lesser concentration of the substance. The first solution is provided by a thermal separating facility.

The device, herein to be known as the HydroQueen, is a device to convert the kinetic energy of a fluid into electrical energy using a single or multiple helix shaped vertical paddles. The helix shaped vertical paddle rotates around its axis from the force placed on face of paddle by the movement of the fluid. The electricity is generated by the rotation of the paddle around its axis. The number, length, radii, and pitch of the paddles may vary depending on the location and/or application.

The device, herein to be known as the HydroQueen, is a device to convert the kinetic energy of a fluid into electrical energy using a single or multiple helix shaped vertical paddles. The helix shaped vertical paddle rotates around its axis from the force placed on face of paddle by the movement of the fluid. The electricity is generated by the rotation of the paddle around its axis. The number, length, radii, and pitch of the paddles may vary depending on the location and/or application.

In one aspect, novel robust electroactive polymers (EAPs) is described, which contract and expand at low voltages to provide for a shape-morphing system, e.g., a prosthetic liner, and potentially entire prosthetic socket, to contract and expand in strategic areas as needed to maintain a comfortable and good fit throughout the day. In some embodiments, as the residual limb changes, these novel robust EAPs can change dynamically as needed to maintain a comfortable, snug fit of the prosthetic liner or socket with the hard shell of the prosthetic socket device. In some embodiments, the EAPs used in prosthetic liners or sockets can also be used to detect pressure as the device is being used, and automatically adjust to maintain fit through a control unit, so that the patient does not even have to stop and adjust his or her device as he or she goes about an active day.

Provided is a light activated rotor comprising typically a plurality of vanes affixed to a hub rotatable around the longitudinal axis of an axle. Each vane comprises a planar surface oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle with each vane separated into a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surface are adjacent and share a common boundary generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle. Additionally, the first and second surfaces have differing emissivities. When the light activated rotor is illuminated with a radiant flux, the differing emissivities of the first and second surfaces produce a temperature gradient across the vane and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a thermal creep force across the planar surface of the vane generates a revolution of the vane and the affixed hub around the longitudinal axis of the axle.

Provided is a light activated rotor comprising typically a plurality of vanes affixed to a hub rotatable around the longitudinal axis of an axle. Each vane comprises a planar surface oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle with each vane separated into a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surface are adjacent and share a common boundary generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle. Additionally, the first and second surfaces have differing emissivities. When the light activated rotor is illuminated with a radiant flux, the differing emissivities of the first and second surfaces produce a temperature gradient across the vane and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a thermal creep force across the planar surface of the vane generates a revolution of the vane and the affixed hub around the longitudinal axis of the axle.

A system includes a generator using a fluid mixture obtained via a generator inlet, a compressor having a compressor inlet that is connected to a generator outlet by a first set of conduits, a second set of conduits connected to the compressor outlet and the generator inlet, and a sensor in communication with the second set of conduits, where a portion of the fluid mixture includes gas from a gas emission source, and where exhaust fluid of the generator is provided to the compressor. A process includes obtaining a target fluid property and a fluid measurement using the sensor and modifying a parameter of a fluid control device to modify a first flow rate of the flow of the exhaust fluid through the second set of conduits relative to a second flow rate of the flow of the gas provided by gas emission source through the first set of conduits.

A rotation device includes an output shaft, at least one rotatable rotary plate member arranged so that its rotation axis and the output shaft are coaxial, at least one weight member fixed to the rotary plate member, for biasing position of the center of gravity from the rotation axis of the rotary plate member, and at least one clutch mechanism arranged between the rotary plate member and the output shaft, for separating the rotary plate member and the output shaft with each other at a predetermined rotation angle. The clutch mechanism connects the rotary plate member with the output shaft when the center of gravity of the weight member descends, and separates the rotary plate member from the output shaft when the center of gravity of the weight member rises.

In a method performed by a control unit for controlling energy flows of a vehicle, where the vehicle includes a vehicle energy system which in turn includes a plurality of energy subsystems. Within each energy subsystem one form of energy is used. The energy subsystems are operationally connected by converters, wherein converters are devices converting at least one form of energy to another form of energy. By setting a price, limits for the converters converting energy between the energy subsystem the energy flows of the vehicle can be controlled by the control unit such that at least during period of times the order in which the energy subsystems of the vehicle is provided with energy can be changed.

The pump systems (pump+driver) used in a pump station are selected based on the type of fluid or batch. The selection is of the more efficient pump systems for that batch. Less efficient pumps are avoided. When a new batch is detected, the selection is performed again for that new batch, which may result in a different combinations of pump systems for a given pump station. If variable speed pump drives are available, the efficiency at the desired speed is used for selection. The cost of energy (utilities) by pump station may alternatively or additionally be used to select the speed or combination of pump systems. The pump station and pipeline operation is optimized for efficiency of pump systems and/or cost of energy (utilities) for the different pump systems based on pipeline inventory and local utilities tariffs.