Abstract: Thermoplastic starch-based materials formed as a reactive extrusion product from one or more starches, plasticizers, with the addition of a diacid, diglycidyl ether, silicone and/or a glyceride additive added during gelatinization of the starch and plasticizer, before blending of such starch-based polymeric material with any other polymer (e.g., polyester biopolymers, polyolefins, polyamides, etc.). Silicones, where added, may alternatively be added after formation of the thermoplastic starch, e.g., as part of a masterbatch, when blending with another polymer. Addition of silicone reduces glycerin migration and smoke generation, particularly when processing such compositions to form nonwovens. Addition of glycerides (e.g., triglycerides) can increase hydrophobicity of the resulting starch-based polymeric material.

Abstract: An axial flux motor incorporates a rotor having a plurality of pockets receiving magnet assemblies. A retention device is engaged from an inactive surface of at least one magnet assembly to one or more structural elements surrounding an associate one of the plurality of pockets in the rotor.

Abstract: This invention teaches a multi-sensor quality inference system for additive manufacturing. This invention still further teaches a quality system that is capable of discerning and addressing three quality issues: i) process anomalies, or extreme unpredictable events uncorrelated to process inputs; ii) process variations, or difference between desired process parameters and actual operating conditions; and iii) material structure and properties, or the quality of the resultant material created by the Additive Manufacturing process. This invention further teaches experimental observations of the Additive Manufacturing process made only in a Lagrangian frame of reference. This invention even further teaches the use of the gathered sensor data to evaluate and control additive manufacturing operations in real time.

Abstract: Notifications for instructing user behavior can be determined and presented when appropriate. Current fitness data are accessed. This data is used to determine whether a user fitness goal is likely to be achieved. If not, a notification may be determined and presented at a user device.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) that includes a plurality of battery cells is described. The monitoring system includes a sensor that is arranged to monitor one or multiple heat transfer plates thermally coupled to the plurality of battery cells, a controller is in communication with the sensor. The controller including an instruction set that is executable to monitor, via the sensor, a parameter of the heat transfer plate and detect a thermal runaway event when the parameter of the heat transfer plate exceeds a threshold. The thermal runaway event is communicated to a battery controller.

Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed and includes battery cells, an outer housing, a support structure, and a planar structure. The outer housing is configured to enclose and immerse the plurality of battery cells in a coolant. The outer housing includes multiple walls including side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. The support structure supports the battery cells. The support structure includes dividing members separating the battery cells. The planar structure is disposed above or below the battery cells. A gap exists between a planar surface of the planar structure and a planar surface of one of the top wall and the bottom wall of the outer housing for flowing the coolant between the planar structure and the one of the top wall and the bottom wall. The planar structure and at least some of the walls direct the coolant to flow across and between the battery cells.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery cell stack disposed within a housing such that a gap exists between the battery cell stack and an inner surface of the housing. The battery cell stack includes a plurality of battery cells that each include a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab electrically coupled to an electrode assembly and extending from the electrode assembly outside of a case. The positive electrode tabs and/or the negative electrode tabs of the plurality of battery cells extend into the gap between the battery cell stack and the inner surface of the housing. A filler material fills the gap and provides a thermally conductive pathway between the positive electrode tabs and/or the negative electrode tabs of the plurality of battery cells and the inner surface of the housing. The filler material includes a thermally conductive particulate component distributed throughout a polymeric matrix component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells encased in an outer shell. The outer shell has disposed on an inner surface a flame retardant layer that comprises expandable graphite. The expandable graphite is operative to expand during an thermal event that results in an increase in battery module temperature. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising disposing in a battery module a flame retardant layer; where the battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells encased in an outer shell. The outer shell has disposed on an inner surface a flame retardant layer that comprises expandable graphite. The expandable graphite is operative to expand during an thermal event that results in an increase in battery module temperature.

Abstract: A switch of an inverter module is disposed in a coolant channel, is configured to be immersed in coolant in the coolant channel, and includes: a first terminal disposed on a first plane and configured to connect to a direct current (DC) reference potential; a second terminal disposed on a second plane and configured to connect to an alternating current (AC) reference potential; a gate, an emitter, and a collector; first cooling features that extend away from the first and second planes, that directly contact the first terminal, and that are configured to allow coolant flow therethrough; and second cooling features that extend away from the first cooling features, the first plane, and the second plane, that directly contact the second terminal, and that are configured to allow coolant flow therethrough.

Abstract: A temperature regulation system for a battery is provided. The temperature regulation system includes an electrochemical cell, which may be in the form of a battery. The electrochemical cell includes a housing having a first side surface that extends from a first end to a second end, and a first temperature control chamber containing a dielectric fluid. The first temperature control chamber is located along the first side surface of the housing or along at least one of the first end or the second end of the housing. The dielectric fluid is in direct contact with the housing at the first side surface or at the first end or the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a data storage system having a group of processor-controlled intelligent storage elements (ISEs). Each ISE in the group individually includes storage resources and a network interface. The storage resources of all the ISEs in the group collectively define a field of storage (FoS). A portion of the FoS is addressable by a remote device or by another ISE via the respective ISE's network interface. An ISE FoS structure (ISEFoS) is individually stored in nonvolatile memory within each of the ISEs in the group. Each ISEFoS contains parametric data pertaining to every ISE in the group. Orchestration logic executed by one of the ISEs of the group (a recipient ISE), in response to the recipient ISE receiving a storage management operation request via the network interface, queries the recipient ISE's ISEFoS in order to optimally determine which ISE in the group to use in executing the storage management operation request.

Abstract: System and methods for estimating a temperature of a battery are presented. In some embodiments, a method of estimating a temperature of a battery system may utilize measured battery system temperature data and measured ambient temperature data. Based on the measured temperature data, an average estimated temperature of the battery system may be determined using, at least in part, an extended Kalman filter and an energy balance process model associated with the battery system.

Abstract: System and methods for estimating a temperature of a battery are presented. In some embodiments, a method of estimating a temperature of a battery system may utilize measured battery system temperature data and measured ambient temperature data. Based on the measured temperature data, an average estimated temperature of the battery system may be determined using, at least in part, an extended Kalman filter and an energy balance process model associated with the battery system.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a data storage system having a group of processor-controlled intelligent storage elements (ISEs). Each ISE in the group individually includes storage resources and a network interface. The storage resources of all the ISEs in the group collectively define a field of storage (FoS). A portion of the FoS is addressable by a remote device or by another ISE via the respective ISE's network interface. An ISE FoS structure (ISEFoS) is individually stored in nonvolatile memory within each of the ISEs in the group. Each ISEFoS contains parametric data pertaining to every ISE in the group. Orchestration logic executed by one of the ISEs of the group (a recipient ISE), in response to the recipient ISE receiving a storage management operation request via the network interface, queries the recipient ISE's ISEFoS in order to optimally determine which ISE in the group to use in executing the storage management operation request.

Abstract: A system and method of owner control of an electronic device are provided. Owner identification information, such as data integrity and source authentication information, is stored on the electronic device. Received owner control information is stored on the electronic device where the integrity of the received owner control information is verified and/or the source is authenticated using the owner identification information. In one embodiment, owner identification information comprises an owner signature private key.

Abstract: A system and method of owner control of an electronic device are provided. Owner identification information, such as data integrity and source authentication information, is stored on the electronic device. Received owner control information is stored on the electronic device where the integrity of the received owner control information is verified and/or the source is authenticated using the owner identification information. In one embodiment, owner identification information comprises an owner signature private key.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is provided for assigning a personalized indicium to a mobile communications device which includes logic means operable to generate a temporary Personal Information Number (PIN) for transmitting in a request to a network node. Upon validating the request, a response is provided by the network node to the mobile communications device, the response including a permanent PIN assigned to the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A system and method of owner control of an electronic device are provided. Owner identification information, such as data integrity and source authentication information, is stored on the electronic device. Received owner control information is stored on the electronic device where the integrity of the received owner control information is verified and/or the source is authenticated using the owner identification information. In one embodiment, owner identification information comprises an owner signature private key.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, there is provided a mobile wireless device comprising: a microprocessor and memory, the memory comprising a set of control settings used to control a plurality of device operations; wherein the microprocessor is configured to: receive a first digital signature key for verifying digital signatures on software applications to be installed on the device; determine if any digital signature keys for verifying digital signatures on software applications to be installed on the device exist on the device, and if not, store the received first digital signature key in the memory; receive a software application for installation on the device; verify a digital signature on the received software application using the first digital signature key; and install the software application on the device if the digital signature on the received software application is successfully verified.

Abstract: A system and method of owner control of an electronic device are provided. Owner identification information, such as data integrity and source authentication information, is stored on the electronic device. Received owner control information is stored on the electronic device where the integrity of the received owner control information is verified and/or the source is authenticated using the owner identification information. In one embodiment, owner identification information comprises an owner signature private key.