A sorption heat pump having an evaporator containing a working fluid to evaporate the fluid to produce a gas, a sorber containing a sorption material to sorb the gas during a sorption phase, a vapor pathway connecting the evaporator and sorber, and a thermal control unit controlling the rate of vapor flow between the evaporator and sorber through the pathway, and being selectively operable to permit, stop and restart the flow of gas through the pathway. The pump may be used with a compartment storing temperature sensitive material. The evaporator may be positioned inside and the sorber outside the compartment, or the sorber may be positioned inside and the evaporator outside the compartment. The pump may be used in an apparatus including both cool and warm compartments, with an insulation layer in each. A method is disclosed for reusing the pump after the sorption material has been sorbed.

An atmospheric water generator apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fluid cooling device. A water condensing surface is thermally connected to the fluid cooling device, the water condensing surface having a superhydrophobic condensing surface, a superhydrophilic condensing surface, or a combination thereof. An air-cooled heat rejection device is in fluid communication with a fluid cooling device. An air fan is configured to induce airflow across the water condensing surface in order to condense and extract water from the atmosphere.

A self-cooling container for cooling a liquid includes a first portion with a first frangible seal that extends across and seals an evaporator unit containing a refrigerant and a second portion with a second frangible seal that extends across and seals a desiccant chamber containing a desiccant. The first portion rotates axially relative to the second portion. An actuator assembly is between the first portion and the second portion and includes: a cutter assembly, which is coupled to the first portion of the self-cooling container and includes a cutter coupled to a rotatable axle and a pinion gear coupled to the rotatable axle, and a drive gear assembly coupled to the second portion of the self-cooling container and including a ring gear supported by a housing. The pinion gear on the cutter assembly is mated to the ring gear of the drive gear assembly.

A self-cooling container for cooling a liquid includes a first portion with a first frangible seal that extends across and seals an evaporator unit containing a refrigerant and a second portion with a second frangible seal that extends across and seals a desiccant chamber containing a desiccant. The first portion rotates axially relative to the second portion. An actuator assembly is between the first portion and the second portion and includes: a cutter assembly, which is coupled to the first portion of the self-cooling container and includes a cutter coupled to a rotatable axle and a pinion gear coupled to the rotatable axle, and a drive gear assembly coupled to the second portion of the self-cooling container and including a ring gear supported by a housing. The pinion gear on the cutter assembly is mated to the ring gear of the drive gear assembly.

Systems and methods for heat exchange during gas adsorption and desorption cycling, one method including removing heat from an adsorbent material during gas adsorption to the adsorbent material; storing the removed heat for later use during desorption of gas from the adsorbent material; heating the adsorbent material during desorption of gas from the adsorbent material using at least a portion of the removed heat; and recycling heat during the step of heating to prepare a working fluid for the step of removing heat via temperature reduction of the working fluid.

Systems and methods for heat exchange during gas adsorption and desorption cycling, one method including removing heat from an adsorbent material during gas adsorption to the adsorbent material; storing the removed heat for later use during desorption of gas from the adsorbent material; heating the adsorbent material during desorption of gas from the adsorbent material using at least a portion of the removed heat; and recycling heat during the step of heating to prepare a working fluid for the step of removing heat via temperature reduction of the working fluid.

A method for producing a coating material is specified, comprising the following steps: producing a mixture of hydroxyl-terminated siloxane and siloxane having at least three functional hydrides and/or silane having at least three hydrolysable groups; adding an organic solvent to the mixture; homogenizing the mixture; adding an adsorption material to the mixture; and adding a catalyst to the mixture. A coating material according to the invention, a method for coating a device, and a heat exchanger are also specified.

A transport container for transporting temperature-sensitive transport goods comprising a chamber for receiving the transport goods, a casing enclosing the chamber and at least one cooling element for temperature control of the chamber, wherein the cooling element comprises an evaporation element with a cooling surface, a desiccant for receiving coolant evaporated in the evaporation element and a reservoir for the coolant which is fluidly connectable with the evaporation element. Means are provided for evaporating the coolant stored in the desiccant and the desiccant is connected to the reservoir for transporting the vaporized coolant to the reservoir.

A transport container for transporting temperature-sensitive transport goods comprising a chamber for receiving the transport goods, a casing enclosing the chamber and at least one cooling element for temperature control of the chamber, wherein the cooling element comprises an evaporation element with a cooling surface, a desiccant for receiving coolant evaporated in the evaporation element and a reservoir for the coolant which is fluidly connectable with the evaporation element. Means are provided for evaporating the coolant stored in the desiccant and the desiccant is connected to the reservoir for transporting the vaporized coolant to the reservoir.

Disclosed is an adsorption-based heat pump useful for refrigeration and cooling/heating for applications such as HVACs and chillers. Adsorption is a surface phenomenon where a solid substance (adsorbent) attracts molecules of a gas or solution (refrigerant or adsorbate) on its surface. The latent heat of the adsorbate provides the heating/cooling effect. The novel adsorption heat pump enhances heat and/or mass transfer to and from the adsorbate. One embodiment comprises at least one evaporator, at least one desorber (adsorbent heating apparatus), at least one adsorbent cooling apparatus and at least one condenser. The embodiment employs different techniques to enhance heat and/or mass transfer.