A sunshade device and management system for mitigating the effects of climate change to help reduce the risk of extinction of plants, animals, and humans. The sunshade device has a canopy, which will collapse when lifted into the atmosphere by lifting devices, and open when the lifting devices are turned down or off, to provide shade. The canopy is preferably formed of a flexible lightweight solar panel film containing solar cells, which charge a battery power system which operates electrically powered propeller-driven lifting devices attached to a central portion of the canopy. The sunshade management device controls the lifting devices to manage the sunshade device elevation, angle and geolocation. The sunshade management device is provided with artificial intelligence and machine learning whereby it is able to make determinations regarding sunshade device takeoff and shutdown, and positioning of the elevation and angle of the canopy relative to the ground below, to maximize the shade effects of the canopy.

An insulated wall system for a building includes a sheet assembly spanning across an opening in a building frame. The sheet assembly includes an outer plastic sheet member at an, an inner plastic sheet member at an interior, and a core layer of heat insulating material between the inner and outer sheet members. One or more perimeter boundaries of the sheet assembly includes a tensioning pocket formed on the inner sheet member to receive a frame member therein such that a tensioning mechanism can apply tension between the frame member in the pocket and a corresponding boundary of the building opening to tension the sheet assembly. The outer sheet member is joined to the inner sheet member about a perimeter while the core layer is bonded to both sheet members to transfer tension of the inner sheet member through all layers of the sheet assembly.

An insulated wall system for a building includes a sheet assembly spanning across an opening in a building frame. The sheet assembly includes an outer plastic sheet member at an, an inner plastic sheet member at an interior, and a core layer of heat insulating material between the inner and outer sheet members. One or more perimeter boundaries of the sheet assembly includes a tensioning pocket formed on the inner sheet member to receive a frame member therein such that a tensioning mechanism can apply tension between the frame member in the pocket and a corresponding boundary of the building opening to tension the sheet assembly. The outer sheet member is joined to the inner sheet member about a perimeter while the core layer is bonded to both sheet members to transfer tension of the inner sheet member through all layers of the sheet assembly.

Systems and methods container for the protection of exterior surfaces of buildings and other outdoor structures are disclosed. The proposed systems are configured to offer a mesh-based covering that can be installed on surfaces such as roofs to safeguard the exterior surface from damage caused by hailstorms or other debris. The mesh covering can be colored to match the coloring of the roof surface and/or may be substantially transparent or comprise a material thin enough to remain imperceptible when viewed from a distance. Consumers can order the mesh material to match the appearance type of their homes. The mesh covering can be spaced apart from the roof surface to ensure the impact of hail does not affect the roof.

Systems and methods container for the protection of exterior surfaces of buildings and other outdoor structures are disclosed. The proposed systems are configured to offer a mesh-based covering that can be installed on surfaces such as roofs to safeguard the exterior surface from damage caused by hailstorms or other debris. The mesh covering can be colored to match the coloring of the roof surface and/or may be substantially transparent or comprise a material thin enough to remain imperceptible when viewed from a distance. Consumers can order the mesh material to match the appearance type of their homes. The mesh covering can be spaced apart from the roof surface to ensure the impact of hail does not affect the roof.

A compactable and portable shelter can include side panels, front and rear panels roof panels and a spine panel that are hingedly connected by continuous hinges in a manner that enables the panels to collapse onto each other and into a small profile unit for ease of transport, deployment and recovery. A window and door can be formed in at least one front or rear wall panel. Support brackets can hold wall panels upright at ninety degrees with respect to floor panels. A solar power system can provide electrical power for lighting and electronic device charging to occupants of the shelter. Adjustable legs connected at exterior corners of the base can level the left base flow panel and the right base floor panel. Panels can be thermally insulated.

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 method according to one embodiment includes securing a first plurality of conductive sheets to a surface, applying a conductive tape to a first plurality of joints between conductive sheets of the first plurality of conductive sheets, and securing a second plurality of conductive sheets to the first plurality of conductive sheets without fully penetrating the first plurality of conductive sheets. In such an embodiment, each of a second plurality of joints between conductive sheets of the second plurality of conductive sheets is offset relative to the first plurality of joints.

A system and method used to translate a building structure (e.g., a single-family home) from a first position (e.g., above grade) to a second position (e.g., below grade) is provided. The system may thereby protect building structures from above grade threats such as wildfires, tornados, hurricanes, and other threats by lowering the building structure into a below grade cavity and sealing it therein. The system may include a base that supports the building structure and a translation system that lowers the base and the building structure below grade. The translation system may include scissor lifts, hydraulic lifts, jackscrew lifts and/or other types of lifts. The system also may include a quick release utilities system to disconnect the various utilities during the translation and a protective roof that may be extended over the top of the building structure to protect it from the threats above.