The invented optical chamber is sealed and encapsulated by a transparent element, a connection element and a transparent substrate or another transparent element. The optical chamber is filled with a transparent fluid and equipped with an electronic sensing and execution component. The surface state, the position and the inclination of the optical chamber are adjusted by the electronic sensing and execution component or through a movable part of the connection element, thereby adjusting the output direction and the focal length of the light beam. The optical chambers are combined in series or in array to constitute an operational solar concentrator adapted to output more than one controlled convergent light beam or a directional light beam to support various light energy applications, such as long-distance lighting, heating, light energy and signal transmission, increased electric energy production, and weather control. The invention is provided to adjust the internal temperature and pressure to adapt to extremely high power and extreme environments. Biotechnology is useful for obtaining the same structure and function.

The invented optical chamber is sealed and encapsulated by a transparent element, a connection element and a transparent substrate or another transparent element. The optical chamber is filled with a transparent fluid and equipped with an electronic sensing and execution component. The surface state, the position and the inclination of the optical chamber are adjusted by the electronic sensing and execution component or through a movable part of the connection element, thereby adjusting the output direction and the focal length of the light beam. The optical chambers are combined in series or in array to constitute an operational solar concentrator adapted to output more than one controlled convergent light beam or a directional light beam to support various light energy applications, such as long-distance lighting, heating, light energy and signal transmission, increased electric energy production, and weather control. The invention is provided to adjust the internal temperature and pressure to adapt to extremely high power and extreme environments. Biotechnology is useful for obtaining the same structure and function.

A selective emitter for thermophotovoltaic energy conversion and method for fabricating the same is disclosed. The selective emitter includes a germanium wafer, and a reflective layer deposited on a first side of the germanium wafer. The reflective layer includes tungsten. The selective emitter also includes an anti-reflective layer deposited on a second side of the germanium wafer opposite the first side. The anti-reflective layer includes Si.sub.3N.sub.4. The method for fabricating a selective emitter for thermophotovoltaic energy conversion includes deposing a reflective layer on a first side of a germanium wafer, and deposing an anti-reflective layer on a second side of the germanium wafer, the first side being opposite the second side. The germanium wafer may be undoped. The reflective layer may be sputtered onto the germanium wafer. The anti-reflective layer may be deposited on the germanium wafer using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

A selective emitter for thermophotovoltaic energy conversion and method for fabricating the same is disclosed. The selective emitter includes a germanium wafer, and a reflective layer deposited on a first side of the germanium wafer. The reflective layer includes tungsten. The selective emitter also includes an anti-reflective layer deposited on a second side of the germanium wafer opposite the first side. The anti-reflective layer includes Si.sub.3N.sub.4. The method for fabricating a selective emitter for thermophotovoltaic energy conversion includes deposing a reflective layer on a first side of a germanium wafer, and deposing an anti-reflective layer on a second side of the germanium wafer, the first side being opposite the second side. The germanium wafer may be undoped. The reflective layer may be sputtered onto the germanium wafer. The anti-reflective layer may be deposited on the germanium wafer using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Passive cooling articles may include a first element defining a high absorbance in an atmospheric infrared wavelength range and a high average reflectance in a solar wavelength range. The first element may define a first major surface (114, 214, 314, 414) positioned and shaped to reflect solar energy in the solar wavelength range to an energy absorber (108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608) spaced a distance from the first major surface (114, 214, 314, 414). The energy absorber (108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608) may be a heating panel or a photovoltaic cell. A second element may define a high thermal conductivity and thermally coupled to a second major surface (116, 216, 416) of the first element to transfer thermal energy from the second element to the first element to cool the second element.

Passive cooling articles may include a first element defining a high absorbance in an atmospheric infrared wavelength range and a high average reflectance in a solar wavelength range. The first element may define a first major surface (114, 214, 314, 414) positioned and shaped to reflect solar energy in the solar wavelength range to an energy absorber (108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608) spaced a distance from the first major surface (114, 214, 314, 414). The energy absorber (108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608) may be a heating panel or a photovoltaic cell. A second element may define a high thermal conductivity and thermally coupled to a second major surface (116, 216, 416) of the first element to transfer thermal energy from the second element to the first element to cool the second element.

The present disclosure relates to an energy harvesting technology for generating electrical energy by using a combination of a solar cell and a thermoelectric device. An energy harvesting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a solar cell for generating electrical energy based on sunlight; a heat transfer layer formed on at least one edge portion of the upper surface of the solar cell on which sunlight is incident; and a thermoelectric device including a first electrode, a second electrode, a thermoelectric channel disposed between the first and second electrodes, having a horizontal structure in which the first electrode is disposed on the heat transfer layer to be arranged horizontally with respect to the solar cell, and configured to generate additional electrical energy based on the temperature difference between the first and second electrodes.

The present disclosure relates to an energy harvesting technology for generating electrical energy by using a combination of a solar cell and a thermoelectric device. An energy harvesting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a solar cell for generating electrical energy based on sunlight; a heat transfer layer formed on at least one edge portion of the upper surface of the solar cell on which sunlight is incident; and a thermoelectric device including a first electrode, a second electrode, a thermoelectric channel disposed between the first and second electrodes, having a horizontal structure in which the first electrode is disposed on the heat transfer layer to be arranged horizontally with respect to the solar cell, and configured to generate additional electrical energy based on the temperature difference between the first and second electrodes.

A hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic power generation system with a pumped thermal storage system with a mode switchable heat pump/heat engine apparatus realizes utility scale stabilized power generation with low cost thermal storage, ultra-high conversion efficiency with hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic cogeneration system, and low capital cost with the mode switchable heat pump/heat engine apparatus. The present system heat, cool, and supply power to buildings simultaneously over the four seasons. The synergistically combination of the hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic cogeneration and the pumped thermal storage of the present invention is to make a transformative change of power supply landscape.

A device including a liquid's flow path having an upstream side and a downstream side, a plurality of flow restrictive elements providing material communication between the upstream side to the downstream side, a thermoelectric generator or a thermophotovoltaic cell in thermal connection with a portion of the device located at the downstream side with respect to the plurality of flow restrictive elements. The portion is provided with roughness elements for, in use, contacting a fluid flowing through the device and facilitating collapse of cavitation bubbles.