Heat transfer/storage fluids that are resistant to oxidation in air at elevated temperatures, and systems that utilize such heat transfer/storage fluids, for example, as part of a concentrating solar power (CSP) system or other electricity-generating systems. The heat transfer/storage fluid is a molten chloride solution comprising two or more chlorides selected from the group consisting of CaCl.sub.2, SrCl.sub.2, BaCl.sub.2, NaCl, and KCl.

Disclosed are methods and functional elements for enhanced thermal management of predominantly enclosed spaces. In particular, the invention enables the construction of buildings with reduced power requirements for heating and/or air-conditioning systems since under certain conditions less energy for heating or cooling is required to maintain, within certain boundaries, desirable temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other enclosed spaces.

In some instances the invention is in part based on dynamically changing functional elements with variable properties, or effective properties, in terms of their electromagnetic radiative behavior and/or their thermal energy storage properties, or the spatial distribution of the stored thermal energy, which permits the application of methods and algorithms to control the overall thermal behavior of the entire structure in such a way that desired levels of inside temperature can be reached with reduced consumption of external energy (typically electricity, gas, oil, or coal).

In some instances no conventional heating of cooling is required at all, whereas in other instances the expenditure of external energy for conventional heating or cooling is reduced. In some instances the invention enables the reduction of the time to reach desired temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other predominantly enclosed spaces.

Disclosed are methods and functional elements for enhanced thermal management of predominantly enclosed spaces. In particular, the invention enables the construction of buildings with reduced power requirements for heating and/or air-conditioning systems since under certain conditions less energy for heating or cooling is required to maintain, within certain boundaries, desirable temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other enclosed spaces.

In some instances the invention is in part based on dynamically changing functional elements with variable properties, or effective properties, in terms of their electromagnetic radiative behavior and/or their thermal energy storage properties, or the spatial distribution of the stored thermal energy, which permits the application of methods and algorithms to control the overall thermal behavior of the entire structure in such a way that desired levels of inside temperature can be reached with reduced consumption of external energy (typically electricity, gas, oil, or coal).

In some instances no conventional heating of cooling is required at all, whereas in other instances the expenditure of external energy for conventional heating or cooling is reduced. In some instances the invention enables the reduction of the time to reach desired temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other predominantly enclosed spaces.

A pallet cover suitable for use in covering at least a portion of a payload on a pallet and a kit for use in making the pallet cover. In one embodiment, the pallet cover includes a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, wherein the walls are detachably joined to one another. Each of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall includes a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet, the first and second fabric sheets being joined together to form a plurality of pockets. Each pocket may removably receive a temperature-control member containing a phase-change material. At least one of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall and the right side wall includes a plurality of detachably joined portions.

A pallet cover suitable for use in covering at least a portion of a payload on a pallet and a kit for use in making the pallet cover. In one embodiment, the pallet cover includes a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, wherein the walls are detachably joined to one another. Each of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall, and the right side wall includes a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet, the first and second fabric sheets being joined together to form a plurality of pockets. Each pocket may removably receive a temperature-control member containing a phase-change material. At least one of the top wall, the front wall, the rear wall, the left side wall and the right side wall includes a plurality of detachably joined portions.

A sterilizer comprises a sterilization chamber (1) with a test device (2) for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization process. The test device (2), in turn, comprises a test element (3) with a sensor (4) for measuring at least one parameter, and cooling mechanism (5) for cooling the test element (3). The test device (2), as a whole, is completely accommodated within the interior (8) of the sterilization chamber (1).

A sterilizer comprises a sterilization chamber (1) with a test device (2) for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization process. The test device (2), in turn, comprises a test element (3) with a sensor (4) for measuring at least one parameter, and cooling mechanism (5) for cooling the test element (3). The test device (2), as a whole, is completely accommodated within the interior (8) of the sterilization chamber (1).

Disclosed are compounds that exhibit switchable turbulent drag reduction as well as aqueous compositions comprising these compounds. Also disclosed are methods of using these compounds and compositions as drag reducers.

The use of a composite material for heat management in the electrical and/or electronic area, in particular in a car. A grid-like structure filled with a phase change material (PCM), and to a composite material that includes a grid-like structure filled with PCM. The filled grid-like structure being present on a cover layer or between two cover layers.

The use of a composite material for heat management in the electrical and/or electronic area, in particular in a car. A grid-like structure filled with a phase change material (PCM), and to a composite material that includes a grid-like structure filled with PCM. The filled grid-like structure being present on a cover layer or between two cover layers.