Abstract:
A welding assembly includes a sonotrode, cleaning station, and controller. The controller periodically commands clamping of the sonotrode onto the cleaning block, and a transmission of ultrasonic energy into the cleaning block for a calibrated duration sufficient for removing residual amounts of metal from welding pads of the sonotrode. The cleaning block may include an aluminum bar coated with a polymeric material, e.g., porous polyethylene silica or alumina composite. A thin sacrificial layer of an anti-adhesion material, e.g., colloidal silica, may be periodically applied to the welding pads, particularly after a transition from welding a first metal to welding a second metal. The sacrificial layer may be applied via a sponge, a saturated surface, or spraying.
Abstract:
Electrochemical cells that cycle lithium ions are provided. The electrochemical cells have an electrode that includes a silicon-containing electroactive material that undergoes volumetric expansion and contraction during the cycling of the electrochemical cell; and an electrolyte system that promotes passive formation of a flexible protective layer comprising a lithium fluoride-polymer composite on one or more exposed surface regions of the silicon-containing electroactive material. The electrolyte system includes a lithium salt, at least one cyclic carbonate, and two or more linear carbonates. At least one of the two or more linear carbonate-containing co-solvents is a fluorinated carbonate-containing co-solvent. The electrolyte system accommodates the volumetric expansion and contraction of the silicon-containing electroactive material to promote long term cycling stability.
Abstract:
A method of coating an inner surface of an engine cylinder bore includes cleaning the surface to remove carbon, resulting in the surface having a maximum of 30 atomic percent carbon, texturing the surface to achieve a developed interfacial area ratio of at least 100%, and heating the surface to between 100-200 degrees Celsius. A thermal spray coating is then adhered to the surface. In some cases, a force of 25+ Newtons scratched across the thermal spray coating is required to remove the thermal spray coating from the surface. Maximum adhesion strength is achieved when the coating is applied to: 1) a heated surface that has 2) an Sdr of at least 100% and 3) a maximum of 20 atomic percent of carbon on the surface. When these three criteria are all present, adhesion strength can be 50 Newtons or more with evidence of metallurgical diffusion/bonding at the interface.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle based on a physiological trait. The method includes: receiving physiological data from one or more physiological sensors; processing the received physiological data, by a processor, to determine one or more physiological conditions; and based on the determined physiological condition, outputting one or more control signals to a vehicle system to control an operation of the vehicle system.
Abstract:
A lithium-ion conducting, solid electrolyte is deposited on a thin, flexible, porous alumina membrane which is placed between co-extensive facing side surfaces of a porous, lithium-accepting, negative electrode and a positive electrode formed of a porous layer of particles of a compound of lithium, a transition metal element, and optionally, another metal element. A liquid electrolyte formed, for example, of LiPF6 dissolved in an organic solvent, infiltrates the electrode materials of the two porous electrodes for transport of lithium ions during cell operation. But the solid electrolyte permits the passage of only lithium ions, and the negative electrode is protected from damage by transition metal ions or other chemical species produced in the positive electrode of the lithium-ion cell.
Abstract:
Electrochemical cells that cycle lithium ions are provided. The electrochemical cells have an electrode that includes a silicon-containing electroactive material that undergoes volumetric expansion and contraction during the cycling of the electrochemical cell; and an electrolyte system that promotes passive formation of a flexible protective layer comprising a lithium fluoride-polymer composite on one or more exposed surface regions of the silicon-containing electroactive material. The electrolyte system includes a lithium salt, at least one cyclic carbonate, and two or more linear carbonates. At least one of the two or more linear carbonate-containing co-solvents is a fluorinated carbonate-containing co-solvent. The electrolyte system accommodates the volumetric expansion and contraction of the silicon-containing electroactive material to promote long term cycling stability.
Abstract:
A system, for use in implementing a vehicle function based on user gesture, including a hardware-based processing unit and a hardware-based storage device. The storage device includes a user-gesture determination module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determines a user gesture, made by a user proximate a vehicle, wherein the user gesture is not an under-vehicle user kick. The storage device also includes a vehicle-function identification module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, determines a vehicle function pre-associated with the user gesture determined. The storage device further includes a vehicle-function activation module that, when executed by the hardware-based processing unit, initiates performance of the vehicle function identified. In various embodiments the technology includes the storage device, and processes including any of the operations described.
Abstract:
A welding assembly includes a sonotrode, cleaning station, and controller. The controller periodically commands clamping of the sonotrode onto the cleaning block, and a transmission of ultrasonic energy into the cleaning block for a calibrated duration sufficient for removing residual amounts of metal from welding pads of the sonotrode. The cleaning block may include an aluminum bar coated with a polymeric material, e.g., porous polyethylene silica or alumina composite. A thin sacrificial layer of an anti-adhesion material, e.g., colloidal silica, may be periodically applied to the welding pads, particularly after a transition from welding a first metal to welding a second metal. The sacrificial layer may be applied via a sponge, a saturated surface, or spraying.
Abstract:
A lithium-ion conducting, solid electrolyte is deposited on a thin, flexible, porous alumina membrane which is placed between co-extensive facing side surfaces of a porous, lithium-accepting, negative electrode and a positive electrode formed of a porous layer of particles of a compound of lithium, a transition metal element, and optionally, another metal element. A liquid electrolyte formed, for example, of LiPF6 dissolved in an organic solvent, infiltrates the electrode materials of the two porous electrodes for transport of lithium ions during cell operation. But the solid electrolyte permits the passage of only lithium ions, and the negative electrode is protected from damage by transition metal ions or other chemical species produced in the positive electrode of the lithium-ion cell.
Abstract:
An electrolyte can be pretreated by contacting with an oxide species (e.g., SiO2, SiOx, where 1≤x≤2, TiO2). The electrolyte comprises LiPF6 and a carbonate solvent. A reaction occurs to form a pretreated electrolyte comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of: MaPx′OyFz, MaPx′OyFzCnHm, and combinations thereof, where when P in the formula is normalized to 1 so that x′ is equal to about 1, 0