The present invention relates to a system for the production of carbon nanotubes from carbonaceous matter, preferably, plastic waste and solar energy; Method of production.

Disclosed is a vertical solar apparatus, comprising a vertical light guide device (110) and a light energy utilization device (120), wherein the vertical light guide device (110) comprises at least one Fresnel lens (111, 112) arranged substantially vertically; and the light energy utilization device has a second light receiving surface (Fa2) substantially laid out flat. The light guide device is used for deflecting sunlight, such that the sunlight is at least partially guided to the second light receiving surface (Fa2). The solar apparatus can be adapted in order to be mounted in a long and narrow zone, and a vertical structure thereof enables the solar apparatus to easily engage with an elevation of a building, thereby saving on an additional occupied area.

The invention relates to a method for producing artificial crushed sand by means of a thermal treatment using sand in the form of fine sand (FS/FSa) and/or round sand as the starting material (1). The starting material (1) in variant A is heated to a melting temperature by bundling sun rays (13), and/or the starting material in variant B is heated to a melting temperature by using a conventional melting device which achieves its energy supply using converted or stored solar power, whereby each of a plurality of sand grains are melted together into a three-dimensional intermediate product (2). The intermediate product (2) produced in this manner is cooled and finally comminuted to a particle size of less than 2 mm in a comminuting process. An end product (3) is produced which differs from the starting material (1) with respect to the shape and surface roughness. The method offers a long-term solution for meeting the demand for crushed sand and provides sand for the construction industry.

The invention relates to a method for producing artificial crushed sand by means of a thermal treatment using sand in the form of fine sand (FS/FSa) and/or round sand as the starting material (1). The starting material (1) in variant A is heated to a melting temperature by bundling sun rays (13), and/or the starting material in variant B is heated to a melting temperature by using a conventional melting device which achieves its energy supply using converted or stored solar power, whereby each of a plurality of sand grains are melted together into a three-dimensional intermediate product (2). The intermediate product (2) produced in this manner is cooled and finally comminuted to a particle size of less than 2 mm in a comminuting process. An end product (3) is produced which differs from the starting material (1) with respect to the shape and surface roughness. The method offers a long-term solution for meeting the demand for crushed sand and provides sand for the construction industry.

A system includes a thermal transpiration generator having a vacuum-sealed container, a rotatable shaft within the container, bearings supporting the shaft within the container, a first set of vanes secured to the shaft, a second set of vanes secured to the shaft, a first receiving lens for focusing energy on the first set of vanes, a second receiving lens for focusing energy on the second set of vanes, and a flywheel secured to the shaft. An electric generator is located outside the container and is coupled to the rotatable shaft with a magnetic coupler to be driven by rotation of the shaft. The system further includes a light energy collector system concentrating energy on each of the first and second receiving lenses, and an outer housing located about the container and the electric generator.

Planar optical module (100, 100) for capturing, converging and collimating incident light (3, 3) with a variable incident direction comprising: a first optical arrangement (10) with an optical layer able to converge the incident light-beam (3, 3), forming thereby a converging light-beam (4, 4) and a second optical arrangement (20) placed downstream said first optical arrangement (10), said second optical arrangement (20) having an optical layer collimating said converging light-beam(s) (4, 4), forming thereby a collimated and concentrated beam (5, 5), wherein the first and second optical arrangements (10, 20) are movable one relative to the other such that the relative position of first and second optical arrangements (10, 20) allows said collimated and concentrated beam (5, 5) to have an orientation which is, in a plane perpendicular to the main plane (P) of the planar optical module (100, 100), predetermined, fixed and independent from the direction of the incident light (3, 3). Preferentially, the first optical arrangement (10) comprises two optical layers (11, 12) movable one relative to the other, the second optical arrangement (20) comprises either an optical layer formed by one or a plurality of reflective elements (26, 27) having a concave surface or comprises only one optical layer with variable refractive-index elements (23) or with fluorescent dyes (25).

An optical heat exchanger and an associated system and method are provided to allow a vehicle, such as an unmanned air vehicle, a rocket or the like, to deliver more payload at a lower cost. The optical heat exchanger includes a support surface defining a plurality of tapered openings. Each tapered opening tapers from the first size proximate an outwardly facing end of the opening to a second smaller size proximate an inwardly facing end of the opening. The inwardly facing end of each tapered opening is in communication with the propellant. The optical heat exchanger also includes a plurality of lenses with each lens positioned proximate the outwardly facing end of a respective opening. Each lens is configured to receive an electromagnetic energy beam and concentrate the majority of the electromagnetic energy beam through the inwardly facing end of the respective tapered opening, thereby heating the propellant.

An optical heat exchanger and an associated system and method are provided to allow a vehicle, such as an unmanned air vehicle, a rocket or the like, to deliver more payload at a lower cost. The optical heat exchanger includes a support surface defining a plurality of tapered openings. Each tapered opening tapers from the first size proximate an outwardly facing end of the opening to a second smaller size proximate an inwardly facing end of the opening. The inwardly facing end of each tapered opening is in communication with the propellant. The optical heat exchanger also includes a plurality of lenses with each lens positioned proximate the outwardly facing end of a respective opening. Each lens is configured to receive an electromagnetic energy beam and concentrate the majority of the electromagnetic energy beam through the inwardly facing end of the respective tapered opening, thereby heating the propellant.

A solar collector utilizes an inflated tubular film which concentrates sunlight onto a solar receiver. The film incorporates refractive elements in a pattern which focuses light in one or two dimensions to create foci in the form of lines, spots, or other shapes. The film may be replaceable. The film may include layers of material to optimize optical, structural, thermal, and durability characteristics.

A solar powered boiler assembly for producing steam with solar energy includes a bowl that is positioned in the ground. A boiler is positioned in the bowl and the boiler has a fluid therein. A dome is removably positioned on the bowl. A plurality of lenses each extends through the dome such that each of the lenses is exposed to sunlight. Each of the lenses focuses the sunlight onto the boiler to heat the boiler. In this way the boiler produces steam by heating the fluid therein. A reflector is coupled to the dome and the reflector is comprised of a light reflecting material for reflecting sunlight onto the lenses.