Our product is the 
HELIOtube, new type of an inflatable solar concentrator made out of plastic films and protected by patents held by HELIOVIS AG.
A pressure difference creates the perfect mirror
The HELIOtube is a long cylinder. Running through the cylinder is a reflective film which divides the space in two air-tight chambers. A small difference in pressure between the upper and lower chamber causes the reflective film to curve downwards, thus producing a trough which focuses the light.
Focusing the light makes it useable
The light first travels through a transparent, upper film, before reflecting off the curved mirror film to the focus area within the upper chamber. Thermal absorbers then use the focused light to produce steam, which can be used for industrial processes or to generate electricity. Alternatively high performance solar cells could be used to turn the light directly into electricity.
Viewed in the cross section, the membranes follow a circle arc. A perfect concentration would require a form of a parabola. However, the light can also be focused by a circular arc: the light is not focused to an exact point, but rather to an extended focus area. The actual absorbers can cover this area, or secondary optics can further concentrate the light.
The basic principle of the HELIOtube is protected by a patent. Further patents, that cover the flat production process and the installation process, are pending.
The HELIOtube realises significant competitive advantages regarding: