An electroconductive hydrogel is formed by hybrid assembly of polymeric nanofiber networks of conducting polymers that self-organize into highly connected 3D nanostructures with an ultralow threshold (?1 wt %) for electrical percolation. A method for forming the electroconductive hydrogel comprises the steps of: dispersing aramid nanofibers (ANFs) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); conducting a solvent exchange with water to generate hydrogels with connective 3D fibrillar networks that serve as templates for the assembly of conducting polymers; incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) during the processing of the hydrogels to weld the fibrillar joints via hydrogen bonding; infiltrating monomers into the nano-porous hydrogels in an aqueous media; and polymerizing the hydrogels with added oxidants.

An electroconductive hydrogel is formed by hybrid assembly of polymeric nanofiber networks of conducting polymers that self-organize into highly connected 3D nanostructures with an ultralow threshold (?1 wt %) for electrical percolation. A method for forming the electroconductive hydrogel comprises the steps of: dispersing aramid nanofibers (ANFs) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); conducting a solvent exchange with water to generate hydrogels with connective 3D fibrillar networks that serve as templates for the assembly of conducting polymers; incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) during the processing of the hydrogels to weld the fibrillar joints via hydrogen bonding; infiltrating monomers into the nano-porous hydrogels in an aqueous media; and polymerizing the hydrogels with added oxidants.

Disclosed herein are water purifying networks. The networks efficiently absorb water and convert solar irradiation to heat, thereby evaporating absorbed water, which can be collected as purified water.

A solar collector adapted to absorb thermal heating from the sun, wherein said solar collector comprises hollow sections adapted to house a medium. The solar collector is a self-supporting composite solar collector produced from a composite material constituted of at least a first and second material, wherein said first and second materials have equal or substantially equal coefficients of elasticity.

A hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system provides co-generation of electrical energy and thermal energy. Electrical energy is efficiently generated by photovoltaic panels that are cooled by heat exchangers attached thereto, and the cooling of the photovoltaic panels improves the energy output efficiency of the photovoltaic panels. The heat exchangers flow fluid through its channels, and the fluid collects heat from the photovoltaic panels to which the heat exchangers are attached. The heated fluid is then received at and stored in a thermal battery. The thermal battery can be a fluid tank that encourages the fluid to retain the heat collected from the photovoltaic panels. The thermal battery can then supply the heated fluid to thermal loads as thermal energy.

A microfluidic panel including at least one substrate, one or more channels formed in the substrate, and fluid disposed within the one or more channels. The fluid is selected to store thermal energy and the microfluidic panel is adapted to convert the thermal energy into useable energy or condition the energy to adjust optical wavelength passband of the panel.

A solar collector housing that is opened and closed without tools includes structure for accommodating temperature-related expansion and contraction of a polymer absorber housed within the collector. The housing includes a transparent cover, a frame for holding the transparent cover, and a base. The cover, frame and base collectively define a hollow interior within which the polymer absorber is positioned. A plurality of latches is secured to an exterior of the frame. The frame and base are pivotally connected to one another when the latches are open so that the collector housing can be opened. The housing cannot be opened when the latches are closed. A pair of variable gate closure components are positioned in slots formed in a second end of the collector and enable the polymer absorber to expand and contract without placing stress on the absorber tubes.

A solar water heater absorber absorbs the sun's energy on the surface of a twin-walled polycarbonate panel and conducts the heat from the sun through the panel wall into fluid flow through channels of the panel. The panel is an extruded polycarbonate glazing material that consists of two panes connected by longitudinal ribs to form a plurality of water channels that may further include twisted strips providing a helical water flow pattern that increases turbulence within the water channels. The panel is connected to large pipes or headers on the top and bottom ends of the panel that receive the heated fluid from the water channels, allow the heated fluid to exit the panel, and for return water to re-enter the panel in a solar water heating system.

A solar water heater absorber absorbs the sun's energy on the surface of a twin-walled polycarbonate panel and conducts the heat from the sun through the panel wall into fluid flow through channels of the panel. The panel is an extruded polycarbonate glazing material that consists of two panes connected by longitudinal ribs to form a plurality of water channels that may further include twisted strips providing a helical water flow pattern that increases turbulence within the water channels. The panel is connected to large pipes or headers on the top and bottom ends of the panel that receive the heated fluid from the water channels, allow the heated fluid to exit the panel, and for return water to re-enter the panel in a solar water heating system.

The present invention relates to a composite comprising a polymer matrix, graphene and at least one thermally conductive inorganic filler, wherein the graphene and the at least one thermally conductive inorganic filler are dispersed within the polymer matrix. The composites have high thermal conductivities and are particularly useful in solar thermal collectors and other heat exchangers.