Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing 3-R-1,4,2-dioxazol-5-one compounds using convenient and efficient methods. Also provided are 3-R-1,4,2-dioxazol-5-one compounds produced using the methods described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a concentration of a component of an electrolyte in a lithium-ion or for a lithium-ion cell is provided. The method includes providing, to a spectrometer, instructions to capture a spectrum of a sample solution of the electrolyte and generate a signal. The method includes analyzing the signal to determine one or more spectral features of the spectrum. The method includes preparing a database of spectra corresponding to solutions having predetermined concentrations of the component of the electrolyte wherein the database includes a plurality for spectral features for each solution. The method further includes determining a machine learning (ML) model using the database of spectra. The method includes determining the concentration of the component of the electrolyte in the sample solution using the machine learning model.

Abstract: Provided are electrolyte solutions including both lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate and lithium tetrafluoroborate and a solvent component for use in lithium metal or anode-free rechargeable battery cell and methods of using the electrolyte solutions to improve capacity retention of the battery cells. Also provided are rechargeable battery systems including a lithium metal or anode-free battery cell and electrolyte solutions including both lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate and lithium tetrafluoroborate and a solvent component. The systems described herein exhibit improved capacity retention.

Abstract: Methods of preparing electrodes for use in rechargeable battery using two lithiation steps wherein, including a first lithiation step conducted at higher temperatures than the second lithiation step.

Abstract: Improved battery systems have been developed for lithium-ion based batteries. The improved systems include a nonaqueous electrolyte including one or more lithium salts, one or more nonaqueous solvents, and an additive or additive mixture comprising one or more operative additives selected from a group of disclosed compounds, including 3-aryl substituted 1,4,2-dioxazol-5-ones and 3-phenyl-1,3,2,4-dioxathiazole 2-oxide.

Abstract: Improved battery systems have been developed for lithium-ion based batteries. The improved battery systems consist of two-additive mixtures in an electrolyte solvent. Such battery systems are prepared by assembling a positive electrode and a negative electrode in the sealed cell, removing residual water from the sealed cell, filling the sealed cell with a nonaqueous electrolyte under an inert atmosphere, vacuum-sealing the sealed cell, carrying out a formation process comprising charging and discharging the sealed cell until the sealed cell achieves an initial capacity. The nonaqueous electrolyte includes lithium ions, a first nonaqueous solvent comprising a carbonate solvent, a second nonaquaeous solvent comprising methyl acetate, and an additive mixture of a first operative additive of either vinylene carbonate or fluoroethylene carbonate and a second operative additive of 2-furanone. Gas formation is suppressed in the battery system during the formation process.

Abstract: Improved battery systems with two-additive mixtures including in an electrolyte solvent that is a carbonate solvent, an organic solvent, a non-aqueous solvent, methyl acetate, or a combination of them. The positive electrode of the improved battery systems may be formed from lithium nickel manganese cobalt compounds, and the negative electrode of the improved battery system may be formed from natural or artificial graphite.

Abstract: A multi-port, multi-mode valve includes: a valve housing; multiple ports on the valve housing, a spacing between first and second ports being smaller than a spacing between third and fourth ports; and a stemshell positioned at least partly inside the valve housing, the stemshell having at least two channels configured for selectively coupling one or more of the ports to a selected at least other one of the ports.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a concentration of a component of an electrolyte in a lithium-ion or for a lithium-ion cell is provided. The method includes providing, to a spectrometer, instructions to capture a spectrum of a sample solution of the electrolyte and generate a signal. The method includes analyzing the signal to determine one or more spectral features of the spectrum. The method includes preparing a database of spectra corresponding to solutions having predetermined concentrations of the component of the electrolyte wherein the database includes a plurality for spectral features for each solution. The method further includes determining a machine learning (ML) model using the database of spectra. The method includes determining the concentration of the component of the electrolyte in the sample solution using the machine learning model.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes: a number of cells; and a dual-active-bridge converter connected to the cells, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom. The energy storage device can be included in an energy storage system that includes: a grid tie unit comprising at least one DC/AC converter; and multiple pods connected to the grid tie unit, each pod including: a number of cells; and a power electronics unit, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom.

Abstract: Improved battery systems have been developed for lithium-ion based batteries. The improved battery systems consist of two-additive mixtures in an electrolyte solvent that is a carbonate solvent, an organic solvent, a non-aqueous solvent, and/or methyl acetate. The positive electrode of the improved battery systems may be formed from lithium nickel manganese cobalt compounds, and the negative electrode of the improved battery system may be formed from natural or artificial graphite.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a module housing and multiple battery cells positioned inside the module housing. Each of the battery cells has a first end and a second end. Further, each of the battery cells has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The energy storage system includes a first interconnect and a second interconnect positioned over the battery cells. Multiple first cell connectors connect the positive terminals of the battery cells to the first interconnect. Multiple second cell connectors connect the negative terminals of the battery cells to the second interconnect. A top plate having an interior side and an exterior side is positioned over the first interconnect and the second interconnect. The top plate includes one or more weak areas positioned above one or more battery cell.

Abstract: An air vent assembly includes a cover member having an inlet for allowing a flow of air to enter the cover member. The cover member also has a vent extending from the inlet for allowing a flow of air to exit the cover member. The vent includes a first vent portion, and a second vent portion located adjacent to the first vent portion. The first vent portion has a first set of flow guiding vanes disposed therein. The second vent portion has a second set of flow guiding vanes disposed therein. Each of the vanes is spaced apart from one another and pivotally coupled to a pair of opposing walls of the cover member. The first and second sets of flow guiding vanes are independently moveable with respect to each other using an actuating mechanism for providing a variety of flow-guiding positions one of which includes a split flow-guiding position.

Abstract: A solar panel includes a backsheet layer, a bottom encapsulant layer adjacent the backsheet layer, a plurality of photovoltaic cells adjacent the bottom encapsulant layer, a top encapsulant layer adjacent the plurality of photovoltaic cells having a plurality of louvers constructed therein to block side view of the plurality of photovoltaic cells, and a top layer adjacent the top encapsulant layer.

Abstract: A transistor package comprising: a substrate; a first transistor in thermal contact with the substrate, wherein the transistor comprises a gate; the substrate sintered to a heat sink through a sintered layer; an encapsulant that at least partially encapsulates the first transistor; and a Kelvin connection to the transistor gate.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing parts using a die comprising: providing a three-dimensional model; converting the three-dimensional model into G-code; executing the G-code to deposit a metal die; determining whether one or more dimensions of the metal die are within predetermined tolerance levels; based on the determination, milling the die if the one or more dimensions are not within predetermined tolerance levels or depositing additional metal if the one or more dimensions are not within predetermined tolerance levels; and synthesizing a part using the metal die.

Abstract: Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior rail. At least a portion of the inboard boundary wall is spaced apart from an outboard wall of the interior rail such that when the exterior rail is impacted by a blunt-object barrier, the inboard boundary wall of the exterior rail deforms, thereby damping energy of the impact at the exterior rail and arresting crack propagation between the exterior rail and the interior rail.

Abstract: Electric vehicles and, more particularly, a control system for an all-wheel drive electric vehicle.

Abstract: A heat exchanger integrated into an electric vehicle's battery pack enclosure is provided, where the heat exchanger conduits are mechanically and thermally coupled to the inside surface of the enclosure base plate and where the battery pack enclosure is mounted such that ambient air flows over the outside surface of the enclosure base plate during vehicle motion. A thermal management system is coupled to, and controls operation of, the integrated battery pack heat exchanger such that in a first operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the batteries within the battery pack, and in a second operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally decoupled from the batteries within the battery pack.

Abstract: A heat-recovering oven system based on temperature gradient comprises: multiple chambers arranged in a sequence, the chambers configured for operating at various temperatures according to a temperature gradient arrangement that spans the sequence; a conveyor configured for transporting product through the multiple chambers in the sequence for heat treatment according to the temperature gradient arrangement; and multiple temperature-segregated heat exchanger systems, each heat exchanger system including a heat exchanger, a conduit to at least one of the chambers based on its temperature in the temperature gradient arrangement, and a return conduit from the at least one chamber to the heat exchanger.