Adaptive buildings and building envelopes having a system of structural members which also function as one or more selectively independent fluidic transport systems. Fluids to be transported such as air, rainwater, potable water, irrigation water, and/or gray water, are moved about the adaptive buildings via the various fluidic transport systems to locations disposed about the adaptive buildings where they are used as needed. Such fluids are also selectively filtered and cleaned by a plurality of filter plate systems disposed about the structure.

A method of generating electrical power or hydrogen from thermal energy is disclosed. The method includes separating, by a selectively permeable membrane, a first saline solution from a second saline solution, receiving, by the first saline solution and/or the second saline solution, thermal energy from a heat source, and mixing the first saline solution and the second saline solution in a controlled manner, capturing at least some salinity-gradient energy as electrical power as the salinity difference between the first saline solution and the second saline solution decreases. The method further includes transferring, by a heat pump, thermal energy from the first saline solution to the second saline solution, causing the salinity difference between the first saline solution and the second saline solution to increase.

The present invention provides a multi-stage filter system suitable for the production of drinking water from a wide variety of contaminated water sources. The modular nature of the multi-stage filter system allows for the customization of filter combinations according to the remediation requirements. The multi-stage filter system comprises a coarse filter (S1); an ultrafiltration filter (S2); a graphene-based filter (S3); and a residual nanoparticle filter (S4). The graphene-based filter cartridge comprises few-layer graphene powder; a combination of few-layer graphene powder and pellets comprising a mixture of polyethersulfone, graphene oxide (GO), and dimethylformamide; a composite comprising chitosan, GO, sodium sulfate and ferric chloride; or a combination of few-layer graphene powder, granular activated carbon and a composite comprising chitosan, GO, sodium sulfate and ferric chloride.

A device for generating hydrogen gas, treated water, and metal-containing nanoparticles. The device includes a vessel containing an electrolyte solution having a preferably iron anode and a preferably copper cathode. A renewable energy source is connected to the anode and the cathode. A valve for disbursing the hydrogen is connected to the hydrogen chamber.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for enhancing the performance and efficiency of separation processes. The methods include flowing a fluid through a processing zone defined by an antiferromagnetic portion of a conduit and, as the fluid flows through the processing zone, exposing the fluid to a magnetic field produced by oscillating electromagnetic waves, wherein the direction of the magnetic field is generally counter to the direction in which the fluid is flowing. The systems include magnetic treatment units, separation systems, and the like.

A system for agricultural irrigation water oxygenation for enriching soil oxygen level comprises a source of compressed oxygen (and not compressed air) coupled to a water line feeding an irrigation system, such as a drip irrigation system. The coupling system may include a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the water line, a solenoid safety valve, a control valve, a flow meter and a controller that controls the flow of oxygen from the source of compressed liquid oxygen to the water line using the components of the coupling system, without using a special cavitation valve and using off-the-shelf components while achieving the same benefits as a system incorporating the special cavitation valve.

A water surface garbage salvaging device, comprising a demihull, a large garbage salvaging device and a small garbage cleaning device; wherein the large garbage salvaging device is arranged on a front portion of the demihull, and the small garbage cleaning device is arranged on a rear portion thereof; the large garbage salvaging device comprises a paddle wheel, slipways and a large garbage storage bin; and the small garbage cleaning device comprises a filter mesh, a guide rail slider mechanism, a lifting mechanism and a pulley system, a hanging bracket is arranged above the filter mesh.

The present invention provides stretchable laminates with a flat appearance on the visible surface. The laminates comprise a textile layer, a functional layer, and a plurality of elastic fibers. The plurality of elastic fibers are in a substantially parallel arrangement and the internal distance between adjacent fibers does not exceed the maximum fiber spacing, which depends on laminate thickness in a stretched state. Also provided are garments and footwear comprising the stretchable laminates and methods of producing the stretchable laminates.

A sea-groundwater source is piped via a multi-barreled pipeline system into an affected area having increased salinity. Some of the water will be used for desalination efforts, and as those are coming online, the water will be used to refill and stabilize the affected area. The system of the present invention also includes a return Brine-Line that conveys brine residuals from desalination and ongoing reclamation efforts responsibly and safely into the sea where it is diluted, blended and aerated in a deep water offshore array that utilizes tidal and persistent regional currents to ultimately convey the outfall into the ocean.

This invention is a novel method to thermally process wet WWTP sludges, including biosolids, so that they can be classified. Wet biosolids or other WWTP sludges are passed through the heating zones of one or more solar thermal systems so that the sludges are heated to a target temperature to meet the requirements for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classification. Various catalysts are provided before the sludges enter the heating zone and within the heating zone to optimize the treatment of the sludges.