Passive cooling article (120) includes a plurality of first elements (122) defining a high absorbance in the atmospheric window wavelength range and defining high average reflectance in the solar wavelength range and a plurality of second elements (124) defining a low absorbance in the atmospheric window wavelength range and defining high average reflectance in the solar wavelength range, wherein the plurality of first (122) and second (124) elements are interspersed to form a major structure having a first major surface (130) comprising the first element outer surfaces (126) and the second element outer surfaces (128), wherein the first element outer surfaces (126) face a first direction toward a first end region (136) of the major structure (130) and the second element outer surfaces (128) face a second direction toward a second end region (136) of the major structure. The article (120) may be applied to a substrate (104), for example, on a generally vertical surface of a vehicle or stationary structure.

A structural body includes a refrigerant between a first plate and a second plate. A circulation structural part between the first and second plates includes a reservoir portion provided on a first plate side. In the circulation structural part, the refrigerant from the reservoir portion which has evaporated due to heat of the first plate side reaches a second plate side, condenses on the second plate side and is returned to the reservoir portion again. A temperature sensitive mechanism is in a first state when a temperature of the first plate side is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature to allow refrigerant circulation, and is in a second state different from the first state when the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature to prohibit the refrigerant circulation.

The smart window for the smart home and smart grid can harvest energy and supply power to the home, grid and window itself. The smart window for the smart home and smart grid has all the Electrochromic panel, Solar panel and Multimedia panel been the same full window wide view and aligned with each other in IGU. To be a home automation system, the smart window has local/remote access/control capabilities. There are several types of smart windows working as master device or slave device. The operation of smart window automation system has three modes, normal/open mode, shut/tint mode and smart phone mode. The tube of air circulation system is hidden inside the frame surrounding IGU. Most of the electronic components are integrated to be FPSOC Field Programmable System On Chip that all the electronic component is hidden in the frame surrounding IGU, too. Therefore, the smart window doesn't have any blockage of window view with the Solar panel, Electrochromic panel, Multimedia panel and air circulation system. The smart window has the clean outlook as the conventional dual panel IGU does. The master device of the smart window system is similar to the huge screen working as a smart phone. In normal/open mode, the smart window is similar to the conventional dual panel window having the full-panel clean and clear view. For the different architectures of the smart homes, the smart window must have versatile alignments and system control that the smart window has to be implemented with the Field Programmable System On Chips of Anlinx, Milinx and Zilinx made of the W5RS advanced FPSOC chip technologies.

A double skin façade (DSF) for a building is disclosed. The DSF has a first façade, a second façade, and a gap extending therebetween. Movement of air is driven in an upward direction toward an upper end of the DSF, causing movement of air contaminants from a lower end of the DSF to the upper end of the DSF, and thereby enhancing the air quality of the street canyon by removing air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building. Also disclosed is a building having a DSF, and a method of enhancing air quality in a street canyon by constructing a DSF on a building.

A supply and/or cooling system contains a supply tube or a supply channel for receiving a liquid and/or a gas, which is coupled to a liquid supply device and/or a gas supply and/or gas suction system and has at least one liquid and/or gas discharge opening in a tube, and a channel base or casing region. A strand-shaped ingredient carrier and/or cooling strand is suspended on the supply tube or the supply channel and/or the supply tube or supply channel coupled to the gas supply and/or a gas suction system is suspended below the at least one ingredient carrier and/or cooling strand. The ingredient carrier contains and/or carries at least one ingredient and the ingredient carrier and/or cooling strand can be supplied with the liquid and/or the gas via the liquid and/or gas discharge opening. The supply tube or the supply channel is vertically moveable.

A double skin façade (DSF) for a building is disclosed. The DSF has a first façade, a second façade, and a gap extending therebetween. Movement of air is driven in an upward direction toward an upper end of the DSF, causing movement of air contaminants from a lower end of the DSF to the upper end of the DSF, and thereby enhancing the air quality of the street canyon by removing air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building. Also disclosed is a building having a DSF, and a method of enhancing air quality in a street canyon by constructing a DSF on a building.

A structure comprises at least one outer wall having an internal wall section and an outer wall section with an air flow passage therebetween. A circulation system circulates air through the flow passage to inhibit moisture accumulation and mold growth. A sensing system determines the presence of moisture in the flow passage and generates a signal in response thereto. A controller receives the signal from the sensing system and controls the circulation system to maintain a predetermined temperature and relative humidity in the flow passage.

An improved solar heater and ventilator device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the solar heater and ventilator system is a multi-functional device that can be used in a variety of ways to provide heat, produce and store electricity, and provide natural ventilation. In one embodiment, the device is comprised of a main frame, multiple columns of interconnected movable cubes and a distributor panel. Through the interconnected movable cubes, the solar heater and ventilator system can easily switch functionalities between a solar heater and a ventilator and cooling system. The device is easy and inexpensive to operate, as it does not require any external electricity, and its functionalities can be changed with simple touches of buttons

A structure comprises at least one outer wall having an internal wall section and an outer wall section with an air flow passage therebetween. A circulation system circulates air through the flow passage to inhibit moisture accumulation and mold growth. A sensing system determines the presence of moisture in the flow passage and generates a signal in response thereto. A controller receives the signal from the sensing system and controls the circulation system to maintain a predetermined temperature and relative humidity in the flow passage.

An active insulated assembly for controlling heat transfer through insulated assemblies. The active insulated assembly includes a thermal conductor configured to actively move thermal energy from the active insulated assembly. The active insulated assembly also includes a first radiant barrier on a first side of the thermal conductor configured to reflect radiant energy back to its source and allow the assembly to resist heat transfer in either direction. The active insulated assembly further includes a second radiant barrier on a second side of the thermal conductor wherein the second side is opposite the first side, the second radiant barrier configured to reflect radiant energy back to its source and allow the assembly to resist heat transfer in either direction.