Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit, and the related method of making the same. Use of the multifunctional battery permits structural integrity and versatility, wile maximizing power output of the cells and minimizing the overall weight of the structure. The multifunctional battery includes an open cell interconnected structure comprised of a plurality of open cells so as to provide a structural electrode. The structural electrode is configured to be a load bearing member. The battery also includes interstitial electrodes that are counter electrodes to the structural electrode. The interstitial electrodes are at least partially received within a predetermined number of the cells of the interconnected structure. Additionally, a separator portion is disposed between the structural electrode and interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator.

Abstract: A direct vapor deposition (DVD) apparatus and method is taught, that provides a carrier gas flow entraining vapor atoms for the coating of regions on a substrate that are not in line-of-sight. The degree of non line-of-sight (NLOS) coating, hence thickness uniformity around the substrate is a sensitive function of the flow conditions. For a fixed background pressure in the region of deposition, an increase in the uniformity of the coating thickness is accomplished as the flow velocity is reduced. This improvement in uniformity is a result of an increase in the fraction of vapor atoms which deposit in NLOS positions on the substrate such as backside (21) of fiber (65) as indicated by vapor streamlines (51). Vapor impact width (VIW) is the width of the vapor flux impacting on some area of the fiber. Front side coating (FSC) width is the vapor width of atoms impacting on the substrate frontside (22).

Abstract: A lightweight periodic cellular structure has a stacked array of hollow or solid structural elements that are bonded at their contact points in order to form a stacked lattice structure. Further arrays may be stacked onto the stacked lattice structure in order to form a periodic cellular structure of varying thickness and depth. Also, structural panels may be added to parallel exterior edges of the stacked lattice structure to form a structural panel. Further, the hollow structural elements are provided with wicking elements along their interior walls to facilitate heat transfer through the periodic cellular structure. Liquid may also be introduced into the hollow structural elements to further facilitate heat transfer through the periodic cellular structure. Also, the cellular structure may be utilized as light weight current collectors, such as electrodes, anodes, and cathodes.