A glazing unit is provided for producing an aesthetically pleasing effect, comprising or consisting of at least one pane, said pane having a first structured surface to which a three-dimensional photonic structure is applied and the average refractive index of the photonic structure being higher than approximately 1.6 or higher than approximately 1.8 or higher than approximately 1.95. A method of producing such a glazing unit and the use thereof is also provided.

Manufacturing systems and methods for thin films, including modifying thin film into engineered film panels, are provided. Some embodiments of the present technology are directed to applying an edging material to a film edge of a thin film in an automated and continuous manner, and some embodiments are directed to treating thin films by adjusting one or more dimensions of the thin film using an adjustable structure, and heating the adjusted portion of the thin film, in addition to, or in lieu of applying the edging material.

A solar collector can comprise: a polymeric housing; a polymeric cover attached to the housing defining an internal volume of the solar collector; a solar energy absorber attached to the housing and located within an area defined by the housing and the cover; wherein the housing comprises a flexible sealing member; and wherein the cover comprises a honeycomb structure.

A solar collector can comprise: a polymeric housing; a polymeric cover attached to the housing defining an internal volume of the solar collector; a solar energy absorber attached to the housing and located within an area defined by the housing and the cover; wherein the housing comprises a flexible sealing member; and wherein the cover comprises a honeycomb structure.

A thermophotovoltaic panel, including a first surface for receiving solar radiation, photovoltaic cells connected to said first receiving surface, a heat exchanger connected to said photovoltaic cells, and a second surface, opposite to the first, for supporting the panel, said heat exchanger being positioned between said first receiving surface and said second supporting surface, wherein said photovoltaic cells and said exchanger are embedded in at least one resin, preferably cold-polymerised epoxy resin, to constitute a body including said first receiving surface and said second supporting surface, wherein at least one layer of resin at said first receiving surface is constituted of substantially transparent resin.

A localized heating structure includes a spectrally-selective solar absorber, that absorbs incident solar radiation and reflects at wavelengths longer than 2 m, with an underlying heat-spreading layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than 50 W/(mK), a thermally insulating layer, adjacent to the spectrally-selective solar absorber, having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W/(mK), one or more evaporation openings through the spectrally-selective solar absorber and the thermally insulating layer, and an evaporation wick, disposed in one or more of the evaporation openings in the thermally insulating layer, that contacts liquid and allows the liquid to be transported from a location beneath the thermally insulating layer through to the spectrally-selective solar absorber in order to generate vapor from the liquid. The thermally insulating layer is configured to have a density less than the liquid so that the localized heating structure is able to float on the liquid.

A glazing unit is provided for producing an aesthetically pleasing effect. The glazing unit may include at least one polymer with a first structured surface to which a photonic structure is applied. The surface can reflect a first partial spectrum of incident electromagnetic radiation, and can transmit a second partial spectrum of incident electromagnetic radiation. A reflected proportion corresponds to a higher harmonic and is in a visible spectral range.

A foam sandwich reflector and a method for making a foam sandwich reflector. The reflector and method incorporate a foam slab having a top and bottom surface. Each of the top and bottom surface of the foam slab have a coating of an adhesive layer. The adhesive coating on the bottom surface of the foam slab is a lower bonding layer that bonds the foam slab to the bottom high modulus layer. The adhesive coating on the top surface of the foam slab is an upper bonding layer that bonds the foam slab to the top high modulus layer; bottom high modulus layer composed of a metal, e.g., aluminum or steel. The reflector and method also include an optically smooth, highly reflective high modulus layer. The reflector is curved in one dimension, and the curve is configured to concentrate light when the reflector is in use.

Disclosed herein is a solar thermal collector system that is particularly configured for dual use as a radiant cooling system. In accordance with aspects of a particular embodiment of the invention, the solar thermal collector system includes a solar thermal module having a glazing sheet at a top, exterior surface, and an absorber sheet within the module positioned below and spaced apart from the glazing sheet. The absorber sheet and the glazing sheet are fluidly connected to a fluid handling system, and are configured to carry a working fluid that may be heated in the absorber sheet by the sun to transfer such heat to equipment within the facility in which the system is installed, and to carry the working fluid through the glazing sheet to transfer heat collected from the facility to space. The solar thermal collector module is preferably provided a thermally actuated valve that allows the working fluid to also flow through the glazing sheet, which results in self-regulation of the temperature of the module below a critical design temperature.

A heating system comprising a non-tlai transparent housing comprising walls made of heat isolating material; a tank within the housing for receiving liquid; a platform laid on the ground; legs holding the tank on the platform; light-absorbent and heat conductive fins coupled to the tank, and a cold fluid inlet with a non-return valve therein, and a hot water fluid, the inlet and outlet extending from the tank to outside the housing; means to transfer heated air from inside the housing to outside the housing.