Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.

Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.

A concentrator apparatus is disclosed. The concentrator apparatus includes a light receiver and a light concentrator. The light concentrator is arranged for the omnidirectional concentration of light toward a first focal point on the light receiver and a second focal point on the light receiver. For example, the light concentrator can include a first concentrating lens with a first focal point on the light receiver. The light concentrator can include a second concentrating lens with a second focal point on the light receive. The first and second concentrating lenses can be circumferentially spaced about the light receiver.

An improved system for concentrating, collecting, and transmitting sunlight, comprises: a first plurality of lens panels that is disposed in at least one location in an origin for collecting sunlight; a central collection point that receives the collected sunlight, said collected sunlight being transmitted from the collection point to at least one concentrating lens, said at least one concentrating lens generating a sharp and strong beam, which is transmitted to a first satellite; a first reflecting portion that reflects the concentrated beam to a second satellite; and a second reflecting portion that reflects the concentrated beam through a second pre-defined distance to an at least one receiver unit, said at least one receiver unit transmitting the sunlight to a receiving point that is disposed in at least one location in the destination for collecting sunlight. The sunlight collected in the destination can be used for various purposes.

An improved system for concentrating, collecting, and transmitting sunlight, comprises: a first plurality of lens panels that is disposed in at least one location in an origin for collecting sunlight; a central collection point that receives the collected sunlight, said collected sunlight being transmitted from the collection point to at least one concentrating lens, said at least one concentrating lens generating a sharp and strong beam, which is transmitted to a first satellite; a first reflecting portion that reflects the concentrated beam to a second satellite; and a second reflecting portion that reflects the concentrated beam through a second pre-defined distance to an at least one receiver unit, said at least one receiver unit transmitting the sunlight to a receiving point that is disposed in at least one location in the destination for collecting sunlight. The sunlight collected in the destination can be used for various purposes.

A double-sided light-concentrating solar apparatus and system. The apparatus comprises a front-side concentrating groove (110), a back-side concentrating groove (110′), and a photovoltaic panel (120) provided at the bottom of each concentrating groove. Each concentrating groove comprises two groove walls (111, 112; 111′, 112′) extending along the bottom; opposite surfaces of the two groove walls are reflecting surfaces; the open side of each of the two groove walls forms an opening of the concentrating groove; the opening direction of the front-side concentrating groove (110) is opposite to the opening direction of the back-side concentrating groove (110′). According to the double-sided concentrating solar device, sunlight (LL) can be concentrated and received from two different directions, thereby enhancing direction adaptability and expanding device mounting methods.

A water desalinator that employs the use of solar concentration, evaporation and humidification, mimicking the natural hydrological cycle in a closed, modular vessel to produce freshwater from salt, brackish, brines and seawater, and a concentrate stream for further processing. Feed water is received and stored in a basin. Surface humidity is generated by the evaporation of basin water. A lens is used to focus sunlight, tracked the suns path based on biomimicry of a sunflower, on a thermal conductor. The thermal conductor has a rounded side-profile and generates a variable temperature across its radius. Water is pumped from the basin to a sprinkler head to be dripped or sprayed on the thermal conductor to generate water vapour. This water vapour consequently mixes with the air in the reaction vessel to increase system humidity. Humid air is removed from the reaction vessel and condensed in a condenser. Accordingly, the salinity concentration of input water is reduced from the output of the reaction vessel. Multiple reaction vessels or concentrators may be used in tandem to achieve improved performance.

According to an embodiment, a transparent solar cell, a photovoltaic system including the transparent solar cell, and a method for manufacturing the transparent solar cell are provided. The transparent solar cell comprises a substrate, an adhesive layer formed on the substrate, a metal layer formed on the adhesive layer, a solar cell layer formed on the metal layer, and a coating layer formed on the solar cell layer. The solar cell layer and the metal layer include a plurality of holes having a predetermined diameter.

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.

Multi-effect-distillation (MED) systems of several designs are among the most energy-efficient technologies used in seawater desalination, throughout the world today; typically, energy consumed being <15 kWh / m^3 distillate produced. One caveat in all MED systems is the disposition of the brine-waste reject product with respect to the environment; per unit volume fresh water produced, typically, two units of waste brine media with salinity in excess of 50 g/l, must be dispersed responsibly. Herein is described a MEDX design coupled with thermal-vapor-expanders (TVX) utilizing energy recovered in said brine-waste media, wherein salt-gradient-solar-ponds (SGSP) are used alongside molten salts single-temperature thermal energy storage (SITTES) as principle thermal energy sources (TES) redirected to the MEDX plant, 24/7. Quantifiable electric power production and an additional ~2500 m^3/d distillate, is attained above that produced in a hypothetical 20-effect MEDX plant thru recycling said waste brines into said 20-effect MEDX plant, integrating both flash-chambers (FC) and negative pressure tanks (NPT) in the fore and end-stages, respectively of said MEDX plant.