A system includes a containment vessel configured to receive and hold one or more pieces of personal protection equipment to be heated and decontaminated during a decontamination process. The system also includes a solar collection device configured to heat the containment vessel based on received solar energy. The solar collection device includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a solar aperture configured to receive the solar energy. The second portion is configured to receive the containment vessel within the body of the solar collection device. The solar collection device also includes louvered slats across the solar aperture. The louvered slats are configured to be rotated in order to control an amount of solar energy passing through the solar aperture into the body of the solar collection device.

Solar collectors can provide power for electricity, thermal propulsion, and material processing (e.g., mining asteroids). In one aspect, an apparatus for collecting solar energy and simultaneously protecting against damage from a resulting energy beam includes a solar energy collection system including at least one concentrator and a target configured to use, store, or convert the solar energy, the collection system configured to cause solar energy to focus on the target, at least one sensor configured to detect misalignment of the concentrator by determining that some or all of the collected solar energy is offset from the target, and a safety system configured to redirect the energy or interpose a safety structure for shielding other non-target systems from receiving too much solar energy from the collection system.

A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

A system and method for the removal of volatile components from a liquid or a slurry containing solids and liquids and using a screw conveyor or auger systems that transfers solid/liquid slurries through an elongated tube heated by solar energy from a parabolic solar trough. The system flashes off the volatile component then counter-currently flows that vapor back into the hollow pipe inside of the augur creating a Multi-effect or Multi Flash device which greatly improves the overall efficiency of removal of the volatile material.

A system and method for the removal of volatile components from a liquid or a slurry containing solids and liquids and using a screw conveyor or auger systems that transfers solid/liquid slurries through an elongated tube heated by solar energy from a parabolic solar trough. The system flashes off the volatile component then counter-currently flows that vapor back into the hollow pipe inside of the augur creating a Multi-effect or Multi Flash device which greatly improves the overall efficiency of removal of the volatile material.

A hydrogen production apparatus includes: a first furnace configured to heat a mixed gas of a raw material gas, which contains at least methane, and hydrogen to 1,000° C. or more and 2,000° C. or less; and a second furnace configured to accommodate a catalyst for accelerating a reaction of a first gas generated in the first furnace to a nanocarbon material, and to maintain the first gas at 500° C. or more and 1,200° C. or less.

A hydrogen production apparatus includes: a first furnace configured to heat a mixed gas of a raw material gas, which contains at least methane, and hydrogen to 1,000° C. or more and 2,000° C. or less; and a second furnace configured to accommodate a catalyst for accelerating a reaction of a first gas generated in the first furnace to a nanocarbon material, and to maintain the first gas at 500° C. or more and 1,200° C. or less.