A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure illuminated by a source of monochromatic light. The light trapping optical structure includes a photoresponsive layer including semiconductor quantum dots. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a relatively low thickness and located between opposing broad-area surfaces that confine and redistribute light within the light trapping structure and cause multiple transverse propagation of light through the photoresponsive layer to enhance absorption. The light trapping optical structure further incorporates optical elements configured for injecting light into the light trapping structure.

A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure illuminated by a source of monochromatic light. The light trapping optical structure includes a photoresponsive layer including semiconductor quantum dots. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a relatively low thickness and located between opposing broad-area surfaces that confine and redistribute light within the light trapping structure and cause multiple transverse propagation of light through the photoresponsive layer to enhance absorption. The light trapping optical structure further incorporates optical elements configured for injecting light into the light trapping structure.

A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure illuminated by a monochromatic light source. The light trapping optical structure includes a photoresponsive layer including semiconductor quantum dots. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a relatively low thickness and located between opposing broad-area surfaces that confine and redistribute light within the structure and cause multiple transverse propagation of unabsorbed light through the photoresponsive layer to enhance absorption. The light trapping optical structure further incorporates various microstructured surfaces including light-distributing to surface relief features such as linear microlenses, prismatic surface relief features and/or linear grooves.

A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure illuminated by a monochromatic light source. The light trapping optical structure includes a photoresponsive layer including semiconductor quantum dots. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a relatively low thickness and located between opposing broad-area surfaces that confine and redistribute light within the structure and cause multiple transverse propagation of unabsorbed light through the photoresponsive layer to enhance absorption. The light trapping optical structure further incorporates various microstructured surfaces including light-distributing to surface relief features such as linear microlenses, prismatic surface relief features and/or linear grooves.

A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure. The light trapping optical structure includes a monochromatic light source, a light guiding layer, a lenticular lens array incorporating a plurality of linear cylindrical microlenses, a broad-area reflective surface, and a generally planar photoresponsive layer located between the lens array and the reflective surface. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a sufficiently low thickness to transmit at least a portion of incident light without absorption in a single pass. A portion of the unabsorbed light is trapped within the light trapping optical structure and redirected back to the photoresponsive layer.

A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure. The light trapping optical structure includes a monochromatic light source, a light guiding layer, a lenticular lens array incorporating a plurality of linear cylindrical microlenses, a broad-area reflective surface, and a generally planar photoresponsive layer located between the lens array and the reflective surface. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a sufficiently low thickness to transmit at least a portion of incident light without absorption in a single pass. A portion of the unabsorbed light is trapped within the light trapping optical structure and redirected back to the photoresponsive layer.

The solar desalination and power generating system is a hybrid system combining a Fresnel solar concentrator with a solar desalination still, and further including at least one concentrating photovoltaic cell for simultaneously generating electrical power. The solar still includes an absorber base, at least one sidewall, and a hollow cover. The hollow cover has an inlet port for receiving seawater, which passes through an interior of the hollow cover and exits through at least one outlet port into an open interior region of the solar still. At least one collection duct collects pure water condensate. A vacuum pump selectively lowers the pressure within the open interior region of the solar still. The solar still is suspended above a linear Fresnel reflector array such that the at least one concentrating photovoltaic cell, mounted to a lower surface of the absorber base, is positioned at a focal line thereof.

The solar desalination and power generating system is a hybrid system combining a Fresnel solar concentrator with a solar desalination still, and further including at least one concentrating photovoltaic cell for simultaneously generating electrical power. The solar still includes an absorber base, at least one sidewall, and a hollow cover. The hollow cover has an inlet port for receiving seawater, which passes through an interior of the hollow cover and exits through at least one outlet port into an open interior region of the solar still. At least one collection duct collects pure water condensate. A vacuum pump selectively lowers the pressure within the open interior region of the solar still. The solar still is suspended above a linear Fresnel reflector array such that the at least one concentrating photovoltaic cell, mounted to a lower surface of the absorber base, is positioned at a focal line thereof.

A thermal management device for a photovoltaic panel includes a phase change material layer attached to a back side of the photovoltaic panel. The thermal management device includes a Seebeck thermoelectric generator having a first surface attached to the phase change material layer. The thermal management further device includes a heat sink attached to a second surface of the Seebeck thermoelectric generator. The heat sink is configured with a sinuous coil, a water inlet port and a water outlet port connected to the sinuous coil, and a plurality of heat fins. The thermal management further device includes a casing box configured to enclose its various components, and a glass cover attached to the casing box and configured to cover a top surface of the photovoltaic panel.

A thermal management device for a photovoltaic panel includes a phase change material layer attached to a back side of the photovoltaic panel. The thermal management device includes a Seebeck thermoelectric generator having a first surface attached to the phase change material layer. The thermal management further device includes a heat sink attached to a second surface of the Seebeck thermoelectric generator. The heat sink is configured with a sinuous coil, a water inlet port and a water outlet port connected to the sinuous coil, and a plurality of heat fins. The thermal management further device includes a casing box configured to enclose its various components, and a glass cover attached to the casing box and configured to cover a top surface of the photovoltaic panel.