A batten bar is configured to secure first and second adjacent flat panels to a structural framework. The batten bar includes first and second inside legs, first and second outside legs, and a plurality of apertures disposed along the length of the batten bar. The first and second inside legs define a central channel. The first outside leg and the first inside leg define a first seal recess configured to receive and retain a first seal. The second outside leg and the second inside leg define a second seal recess configured to receive and retain a second seal. In an installed configuration, the first inside leg and the first outside leg are configured to contact the first flat panel along a first common plane, and the second inside leg and second outside leg contact the second panel along a second common plane.

Primary architectural hubs useful for providing geodesic structures, the hubs provided enabling a strut configuration interface having increased strength over analogous articles of the prior art. In some embodiments are provided secondary hubs attached to the primary hubs, which provide for truss configurations enabling rectangular apertures such as doors to be affixed to a geodesic structure without compromising the strength of the geodesic structure as a whole, which was the case with prior art geodesic structures.

A building system comprising a plurality of tubes, a plurality of connection nodes comprising tubular sections for connection to the tubes, wherein the tubes are arranged to connect between the connection nodes to form a frame for a building, wherein at least one continuous cavity is formed through at least a portion of the nodes and tubes when the nodes and tubes are connected, the building system further comprising fluid tight seals between the tubes and connection nodes to enable fluid to flow through the at least one continuous cavity.

A photovoltaic panel having a flat substrate with at least one hemispherical shaped structure positioned on the flat substrate, and a plurality of solar cells are adhered to and cover hemispherical shaped structure is presented. Utilizing a hemispherical-shape with the diameter of the original length of the supporting substrate will provide a 57% increase in the surface area available to collect solar radiation with an accompanying increase in the energy generated.

A method for manufacturing a non-magnetic spatial latticed shell structure composed of carbon fiber plate members. The load-bearing member of the latticed shell structure is made of non-magnetic carbon fiber plate, and joints are made of non-magnetic titanium alloy material. The magnetic shielding layer is provided on the roofing system above the structural layer, and a non-magnetic space with a magnetic field strength lower than 1 nT is formed inside the structure. The load-bearing members are fixed by two carbon fiber limb plates in the form of inter-limb connection and forms an hollow rectangular built-up section; and the joint comprises a titanium alloy gusset plate, a titanium alloy bolt group, and a carbon fiber limb plate; the magnetic shielding layer of the roofing system comprises a shielding layer pad, a shielding layer, a shielding laminate, a buffer layer, a permalloy plate, and a batten.

A method for manufacturing a non-magnetic spatial latticed shell structure composed of carbon fiber plate members. The load-bearing member of the latticed shell structure is made of non-magnetic carbon fiber plate, and joints are made of non-magnetic titanium alloy material. The magnetic shielding layer is provided on the roofing system above the structural layer, and a non-magnetic space with a magnetic field strength lower than 1 nT is formed inside the structure. The load-bearing members are fixed by two carbon fiber limb plates in the form of inter-limb connection and forms an hollow rectangular built-up section; and the joint comprises a titanium alloy gusset plate, a titanium alloy bolt group, and a carbon fiber limb plate; the magnetic shielding layer of the roofing system comprises a shielding layer pad, a shielding layer, a shielding laminate, a buffer layer, a permalloy plate, and a batten.

Described herein are systems and methods for creating and operating a geodesic dome habitat. The geodesic dome habitat includes a frame system for providing structural support and at least one tile that attaches to a face of the frame system. The frame system includes a plurality of struts arranged along the edges, a plurality of tension cables arranged planar to the faces, and at least one connector arranged along a vertex. The tile may be a functional tile for performing a specific functional task, such as a functional tile that includes irrigation systems for irrigating plant receptacles in a vault enclosure, and/or a functional tile that includes thermal plates and outlets for fermentation. The geodesic dome habitat may be compatible with any number of functional tiles, electrical systems, furnishings, etc.

A load-bearing frame of a building based on a gridshell designed for bearing weight and external loads from detached compartments for various purposes. The main structural elements of the gridshell are designed in such a way that they can be used in fastening detached compartments or to ensure the separate position of these compartments. It is assumed that with the use of the gridshell there will be no need in continuous covering.

A modular building structure has a framework including a plurality of rods and connectors to interconnect the plurality of rods together, and empty spaces bordered by corresponding rods. A plurality of panels, wherein one panel is mounted inside each empty space and connected to the framework to create an interior, an air chamber layer inside which air may circulate. The air chamber layer forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the interior. At least one upper valve system is mounted in the upper portion of the structure, and at least one lower valve system is mounted in the lower portion of the structure. The upper and lower valve systems are selectively operable to regulate the thermal conditions inside the interior as a function of the meteorological conditions outside and a desired temperature inside. A method operates the upper and lower valve systems.

This structure 100 of the present invention comprises two ceiling members 110a, 110b, four wall members 120a-120d, and two floor members 130a, 130b, wherein each of the four wall members has a first joint edge joined to the two ceiling members, a second joint edge joined to the two floor members, a third joint edge joined to one among the four wall members adjacent to the respective four wall members, and a fourth joint edge joined to another one among the four wall members adjacent to the respective four wall members, and wherein the two ceiling members, the four wall members, and the two floor members are each formed of a foamed body.