The present invention is directed to time and energy efficient drying of organic matter. The present invention features a drying system which may include a solar tower, a shredder, and an input conveyor for transporting the organic matter to conveyors positioned in a cascading configuration. The system may further include sensors for collecting information, and a control system for receiving the information to determine a speed of the conveyors. The system may further include an output conveyor for transporting the organic matter from the conveyors to a storage. The system may further include water condensers to reclaim water evaporated from the organic matter to be stored and repurposed. The system may further include a solar power system for converting sunlight into power for the system. Sunlight may cause a thermal gradient within the solar tower, causing air in an upper portion to be hotter than air in a lower portion.

The present invention is directed to time and energy efficient drying of organic matter. The present invention features a drying system which may include a solar tower, a shredder, and an input conveyor for transporting the organic matter to conveyors positioned in a cascading configuration. The system may further include sensors for collecting information, and a control system for receiving the information to determine a speed of the conveyors. The system may further include an output conveyor for transporting the organic matter from the conveyors to a storage. The system may further include water condensers to reclaim water evaporated from the organic matter to be stored and repurposed. The system may further include a solar power system for converting sunlight into power for the system. Sunlight may cause a thermal gradient within the solar tower, causing air in an upper portion to be hotter than air in a lower portion.

A solar water pasteurizer has a water jug removably disposed in a solar box with insulation and a solar window. The water jug has a lid to close an aperture in the solar box and a handle thermally isolated from the water jug to facilitate handling of the water jug with heated water. Multiple water jugs can be swapped in and out of the solar box. The solar box also has a thermal mass to preserve some heat in the solar box.

A solar water pasteurizer has a water jug removably disposed in a solar box with insulation and a solar window. The water jug has a lid to close an aperture in the solar box and a handle thermally isolated from the water jug to facilitate handling of the water jug with heated water. Multiple water jugs can be swapped in and out of the solar box. The solar box also has a thermal mass to preserve some heat in the solar box.

Solar collectors can provide power for electricity, thermal propulsion, and material processing (e.g., mining asteroids). In one aspect, a rocket propulsion system is configured to produce thrust for a spacecraft and includes: one or more optical elements configured to receive solar energy. The optical elements include: a first window configured to allow energy to enter the rocket propulsion system and form a concentrated energy beam, and a second window positioned to allow the concentrated energy beam to pass to the heat exchanger. The second window is spaced away from the first window to form a pressurized plenum chamber therebetween. The system further includes: a heat exchanger configured to receive the energy and use it to heat and pressurize a propulsion gas, and a rocket nozzle configured to expel the pressurized propulsion gas.

A system of water supply, desalination and mineral salt retrieval includes a solar concentrating tower, the tower includes a pressure vessel that includes a layer of woven or non-woven carbon-nanotubes defining a thermal interface and providing a super heated surface for spray application of seawater or brine.

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.

The solar-powered satellite dish heater is configured for use with a satellite dish. The satellite dish is an antenna that is configured to receive radio frequency transmissions from a satellite. The solar-powered satellite dish heater is a heating device that prevents an accumulation of ice from inhibiting the satellite dish from receiving the radio frequency transmissions from the satellite. The solar-powered satellite dish heater comprises the satellite dish and a heating structure. The heating structure generates heat that is transferred to the satellite dish such that any ice that has accumulated on the satellite dish will melt.

The solar-powered satellite dish heater is configured for use with a satellite dish. The satellite dish is an antenna that is configured to receive radio frequency transmissions from a satellite. The solar-powered satellite dish heater is a heating device that prevents an accumulation of ice from inhibiting the satellite dish from receiving the radio frequency transmissions from the satellite. The solar-powered satellite dish heater comprises the satellite dish and a heating structure. The heating structure generates heat that is transferred to the satellite dish such that any ice that has accumulated on the satellite dish will melt.

A solar energy powered Stirling duplex cooler is presented which includes a Stirling engine and a Stirling cooler. The Stirling engine drives the Stirling cooler to produce cold temperatures for refrigeration or air conditioning. The Stirling duplex cooler includes a solar concentrator to focus high temperature solar radiation upon the Stirling engine expansion space. The Stirling duplex cooler further includes a thermal storage tank to receive and store heat rejected from the cooler expansion space. This stored heat is used to operate the cooler at night. A flywheel connected operatively to engine and cooler expansion space pistons and a crankshaft connected operatively to engine and cooler compression space pistons actuate the pistons to move a working fluid between the expansion and compression spaces.