This invention is a combination washer and dryer powered by solar energy. The solar energy unit collects solar energy and converts it into electrical energy which is stored in an energy storage device. The solar energy unit connects to the main enclosure to power the electronic control circuits and the motor in the main enclosure. Within the main enclosure is a second energy storage device. The main enclosure also comprises a receptacle for liquid, detergent, and the clothing bin. The clothing bin is rotated or agitated by a motor according to instructions provided by the electronic control circuit and powered by either the solar panel directly or by one of the two energy storage devices.

Positioning a radiation collection device such as a solar oven using a positioning system attached to an outside of a building structure. The positioning system allowing the collection device to be positioned in a plurality of locations where at least one of the plurality of locations is away from the building structure to allow the radiation collection device to collect solar radiation.

The present invention relates to a solar cooking apparatus, comprising: a first solar reflector; a second solar reflector; a solar collection element; and a solar collection element holder, wherein the first solar reflector and the second solar reflector are concave, and symmetrically arranged and aligned with a solar collection element axis, the reflectors having a up to a 360 range of motion around a plane perpendicular to the solar collection element axis, and focusing radiation at the solar collection element, which rapidly heats when the first and/or second solar reflectors are in an opened position, the first and second solar reflectors shield the solar collector when in a closed position. The solar cooking apparatus is adjustable and, in some embodiments, portable.

Technologies are disclosed herein for a thin heat exchanger through which coolant may be pumped. The heat exchanger may include an envelope and a heat conduction layer provided over the envelope. The envelope may include one or more channels formed therein. The channels formed between the envelope and the conduction layer may extend the length of the heat exchange layer and be configured to carry coolant therethrough. The heat exchange layer may include an inlet manifold on a first end and an outlet manifold on another end opposing the first end. The inlet manifold may allow the flow of coolant into the heat exchange layer and the outlet manifold may allow the removal of the coolant from the heat exchange layer. Coolant flow may be controlled by a suction pump operating under computer control based at least in part on sensor data.

The invention relates to a method and a device for obtaining dewatered biomass from algae and/or microorganisms. The concentrated biomass available as a result of the harvesting process is spread over an endless conveyor belt (1) and exposed to heated air on the conveyor belt (1). The air is heated by the sun and/or an air heater (5) in a closed system, the conveyor belt (1) being enclosed by a light-permeable casing (2). The drying process is carried out until a residual moisture is achieved, the dewatered biomass adhering to the conveyor belt (1) at the end of the drying process. Said biomass is separated from the conveyor belt (1) by means of a doctor- or scraper edge (9) and is gathered in a collection container (8).

An integrated solar energy drying system, including: a solar greenhouse, a solar energy storage bed, an air condenser, a wet dust collector, pipes, valves, and blowers. The solar greenhouse includes: a top side, three sunny sides, a shady side, floorboards, a gas inlet, and two gas outlets. The solar energy storage bed includes: an upper air box, a lower air box, a plurality of solar heat collecting-storing pipes, and a sealing chamber. Each solar heat collecting-storing pipe includes an air pipe. The air condenser includes: an air inlet, an air outlet, two gas chambers, and a bundle of gas pipes. The solar greenhouse, the solar energy storage bed, the air condenser, the wet dust collectors are connected via pipes. The valves and the blowers are disposed on the pipes.

A solar drying tunnel having a low-profile and which is transportable includes a bottom portion, a cover, and externally controlled manually operated access mechanism for turning grain over. The tunnel may also include one or multiple ventilators at one end to keep the cover up and to provide air flow.

A portable solar concentrator includes a stand, a plurality of inner panels supported by the stand, and a plurality of outer panels attached to the inner panels. The inner panels have a reflective surface, and are configured to direct solar energy at a target. The outer panels have a reflective surface and can be configured in an active position to direct solar energy at the target, and can be configured in an inactive position to direct solar energy away from the target.

A system and process for producing carbon nano-materials is disclosed. A carbonate material such as Li.sub.2CO.sub.3 is heated via a furnace to transform into molten carbonate. CO.sub.2 is bubbled into the molten carbonate. The molten carbonate is subjected to electrolysis by passing current from an anode to a cathode. A transition metal nucleation agent is added to result in nucleation sites that grow carbon nano-materials at the cathode. This process separates oxygen at the anode and carbon nano-materials at the cathode. The characteristics of the carbon nano-material may be controlled by varying current density, feed gas, transition metal composition, temperature, viscosity and electrolyte composition.

Positioning a radiation collection device such as a solar oven using a positioning system attached to an outside of a building structure. The positioning system allowing the collection device to be positioned in a plurality of locations where at least one of the plurality of locations is away from the building structure to allow the radiation collection device to collect solar radiation.