Recent Patents on Engineering - Volume 7, Issue 3, 2013

A state of the art search was conducted of novel applications for flexible photovoltaics (PV) in portable and niche markets. Flexible PV modules are thinner and lighter weight than traditional rigid modules, allowing them to expand into the mobile device market and areas where traditional rigid modules would be impractical. A variety of new applications are currently being developed in this technical field, with 40% of developments occurring within the last 5 years in USPTO subclass 136/245 (Batteries: photoelectric/collapsible or foldable), and 80% in subclass 320/101 (Battery charging/from solar source). The growth is likely attributable to the falling cost of thin film modules, gains in efficiency, and the proliferation of portable devices in recent years. The flexible PV applications discussed in this review are classified in three broad categories: canopies and covers, field-deployable arrays, and portable device chargers. Significant progress has been made in all areas, illustrating some of the key advantages of lightweight flexible PV over rigid crystalline silicon modules for certain applications. Creative support schemes for holding flexible modules in a functional orientation are highlighted and compared. Particular interest has been demonstrated in the category of portable device chargers, and notable opportunities for future development are discussed.

In the present paper we have focused on the adsorption of surfactant molecules on solid surfaces, and their further application to adsolubilization of organic molecules and heavy metal ions. The emphasis is given on the materials and surfactants used, the organics removed and the processes employed for engineering applications. The batch studies, column studies, effect of pH and other parameters are discussed briefly. Finally, some patented technologies are also reported.

This work reviews the scope of the international and Brazilian inventions in the area of biopesticides. The search for patents allowed the design of a graphical evaluation of the number of patents registered each year and a description of the key patents published. An analysis of each patent allowed them to be classified into groups which resulted in a better understanding of characteristics and trends in the patenting of biopesticides over the years. In addition, the similarities and differences among Brazilian and international patents were discussed. An attempt was made to establish the reasons for such similarities and differences, and an outline was made of the future of biopesticides.

The paper overviews recent developments and research work for stiffened plates and shells in all the engineering applications. The first part reviews the analytical, numerical and modelling procedures that were developed for analysis of stiffened plates and shells. The review covers analysis of defective stiffened panels (i.e., with cracks, corrosion, material, geometric imperfections...etc). The structural idealization, the theoretical basis and the merits of these methods are also discussed. The paper also reviews design philosophies that were developed to predict the ultimate strength of stiffened panels. The influence of various parameters that affect structural performance are discussed. The optimization studies to minimize the weight of the structure are also presented. Related patents to the subject are also reviewed.

The paper presents new polyphase ceramic waste forms (matrices) of aluminosilicate-phosphate type synthesized from natural bauxites and apatite ore tailings. This ceramic material is named “geoceramics” by the authors. The optimum composition of the waste matrix is selected (Cs2O, P2O5, SiO2, and Al2O3) and a cost-saving method for synthesis of matrices capable to accommodate up to 12 wt. % of cesium and 6 wt. % of strontium isotopes is developed. Phases which immobilize cesium isotopes are identified. It is shown that waste forms which are close in stoichiometric composition to pollucite (CsAlSi2O6) have the best resistance to water. The rate of cesium leaching (R) from these waste forms is 2.10-6 g/cm2day in the kinetic region. Heat treatment and cooling of the matrix material does not affect the immobilization performance of the proposed waste forms. In some cases, a positive effect is achieved by using the sol-gel method which can reduce the grain sizes, resulting in a decrease in the leach rate of cesium to 1.10-6 g/cm2 day. The leach rate of strontium is below the detection limit of atomic absorption spectrophotometers (0.3 .10-6 g/cm2day).

Building sector is one of the largest primary energy consuming sectors and contributes substantial atmospheric emissions. With growth and improvement in technology, the energy consumption and comfort levels have increased exponentially. Minimizing energy consumption in all energy consuming sectors have become progressively imperative worldwide because of the many important issues, such as; increase in energy demand, energy security, rising energy cost and the need to reduce the environmental damage of energy consumption. In building sector there are various opportunities available to have a better indoor thermal comfort conditions and to reduce energy consumption by using advance materials. The use of advance and innovative materials (e.g. Phase change materials (PCMs), thermochromic materials, radiant and thermal barrier materials) instead of conventional materials is advantageous in achieving better indoor thermal comfort and saving energy, therefore it is imperative to pay attention to the selection of building materials. Different materials are used in different components of buildings; hence it requires improvement in all materials to have better indoor conditions. In this paper, a review of the latest patents and literature on advance building materials has been discussed. The study reveals that the use of advance materials is promising in energy saving and better indoor thermal comfort as compared to the conventional building materials.