Abstract: A power system provides power from a power source to a load via a distribution bus, and includes a DC-DC converter coupled in parallel with a network of switching elements coupled between an output terminal of the power source and the distribution bus. A controller is configured to selectively activate or deactivate the DC-DC converter and each of the switching elements to enable the power source to power the load via the distribution bus. The switching elements may be transistors, and the diodes may be parasitic body diodes of the transistors. The power source may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. An output voltage level from the battery may be regulated by the controller as a function of operation of the DC-DC converter and a number of the activated or deactivated transistors.

Abstract: A power system provides power from a power source to a load via a distribution bus, and includes a DC-DC converter coupled in parallel with a network of switching elements coupled between an output terminal of the power source and the distribution bus. A controller is configured to selectively activate or deactivate the DC-DC converter and each of the switching elements to enable the power source to power the load via the distribution bus. The switching elements may be transistors, and the diodes may be parasitic body diodes of the transistors. The power source may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. An output voltage level from the battery may be regulated by the controller as a function of operation of the DC-DC converter and a number of the activated or deactivated transistors.

Abstract: A power control system measures individual battery cell voltages and temperatures of a plurality of series-connected battery cells utilizing an Analog Front End, a controller that collects and analyzes the data digitally transferred to it by the Analog Front End, and a Fuel Gauge. Processes performed within the controller are configured to provide optimized representations of the data to the Fuel Gauge to improve its performance.

Abstract: An energy delivery system that combines multiple energy storage sources/systems of different chemical compositions or physical construction with a common control system that is configured to output energy from the system as a function of the different performance characteristics of each system, and is therefore capable of optimizing various operational characteristics of the combined system. The control system is configured to utilize a separate variable impedance network for each energy storage system to adjust the relative output current or discharge rate of each energy storage system, such as to optimize cycle life, depth of discharge, temperature, delivered power, and/or perceived safety of each energy storage system.

Abstract: A backup system for a power supply unit providing power to a load via a distribution bus includes a power source, a network of switching elements coupled between an output terminal of the power source and the distribution bus, diodes coupled in parallel with the switching elements, and a controller configured to selectively activate or deactivate each of the switching elements to enable the power source to power the load via the distribution bus. The switching elements may be transistors, and the diodes may be parasitic body diodes of the transistors. The power source may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. An output voltage level from the battery may be regulated by the controller as a function of a number of the activated or deactivated transistors.

Abstract: A battery monitoring circuit measures individual battery cell voltages and temperatures of a plurality of series-connected battery cells utilizing an Analog Front End, a controller that collects and analyzes the data digitally transferred to it by the Analog Front End, and a Fuel Gauge configured to measure a single battery cell.

Abstract: An energy delivery system that combines multiple energy storage sources/systems of different chemical compositions or physical construction with a common control system that is configured to output energy from the system as a function of the different performance characteristics of each system, and is therefore capable of optimizing various operational characteristics of the combined system. The control system is configured to utilize a separate variable impedance network for each energy storage system to adjust the relative output current or discharge rate of each energy storage system, such as to optimize cycle life, depth of discharge, temperature, delivered power, and/or perceived safety of each energy storage system.

Abstract: A backup system for a power supply unit providing power to a load via a distribution bus includes a power source, a network of switching elements coupled between an output terminal of the power source and the distribution bus, diodes coupled in parallel with the switching elements, and a controller configured to selectively activate or deactivate each of the switching elements to enable the power source to power the load via the distribution bus. The switching elements may be transistors, and the diodes may be parasitic body diodes of the transistors. The power source may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. An output voltage level from the battery may be regulated by the controller as a function of a number of the activated or deactivated transistors.

Abstract: A battery monitoring circuit measures individual battery cell voltages and temperatures of a plurality of series-connected battery cells utilizing an Analog Front End, a controller that collects and analyzes the data digitally transferred to it by the Analog Front End, and a Fuel Gauge configured to measure a single battery cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for estimating battery discharge time duration during high-rate battery discharging. Generally speaking, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a prediction of battery run times for short duration, high-current discharge events that are scaled in seconds rather than minutes, and which are continuously compensated for ambient temperature which can alter discharge times as a result of reaching thermal limitations before chemical capacity has actually been exhausted.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for estimating battery discharge time duration during high-rate battery discharging. Generally speaking, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a prediction of battery run times for short duration, high-current discharge events that are scaled in seconds rather than minutes, and which are continuously compensated for ambient temperature which can alter discharge times as a result of reaching thermal limitations before chemical capacity has actually been exhausted.

Abstract: Micron-sized metal particles in an ink or paste composition are deposited onto a substrate and then photosimered. The substrate may comprise a polymeric material. The polymeric substrate may have a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than two times the coefficient of thermal expansion of the photosimered ink or paste composition.

Abstract: A metallization paste or ink for making electrical contacts on solar cells has reduced diffusion in a silicon wafer. The paste or ink is configured for printing on a crystalline silicon substrate of a solar cell, wherein the paste comprises silicon particles, aluminum particles, and a paste vehicle. Alternatively, the paste comprises aluminum-silicon alloy particles.

Abstract: A metallization paste or ink for making electrical contacts on solar cells has reduced diffusion in a silicon wafer. The paste or ink is configured for printing on a crystalline silicon substrate of a solar cell, wherein the paste comprises silicon particles, aluminum particles, and a paste vehicle. Alternatively, the paste comprises aluminum-silicon alloy particles.

Abstract: Conductive patterns are formed using formulations containing metallic particles, which may be copper. These metallic particles may be coated with a binder material that improves adhesion during photosintering of the formulations. The binder contains chemistry suitable for it to be removed from the particles in a separate process such as drying or thermal sintering. The coating is a non-volatile organic compound attached to the metallic particles with a minimum thickness oxide coating. The organic coating improves a coefficient of thermal expansion value match between the metallic particles and the substrate, which may be polymeric.

Abstract: Micron-sized metal particles in an ink or paste composition are deposited onto a substrate and then photosimered. The substrate may comprise a polymeric material. The polymeric substrate may have a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than two times the coefficient of thermal expansion of the photosimered ink or paste composition.

Abstract: A dielectric layer is directly applied onto the surface of a heat sink part. For example, the composition for making the dielectric layer may be made into a paste or ink and then printed as a paste or ink, or applied with some other equivalent method, such as a lamination technique. The electrical circuit traces are then printed in a similar fashion onto the dielectric layer in the required pattern for whatever circuitry is to be applied. That circuitry (e.g., circuit elements) is then attached to the electrical traces as needed for the particular application.

Abstract: For solar cell fabrication, the addition of precursors to printable media to assist etching through silicon nitride or silicon oxide layer thus affording contact with the substance underneath the nitride or oxide layer. The etching mechanism may be by molten ceramics formed in situ, fluoride-based etching, as well as a combination of the two.

Abstract: A silicon solar cell is formed with an N-type silicon layer on a P-type silicon semiconductor substrate. An aluminum ink composition is printed on the back of the silicon wafer to form back contact electrodes. The back contact electrodes are sintered to produce an ohmic contact between the electrodes and the silicon layers. The aluminum ink composition may include aluminum powders, a vehicle, an inorganic polymer, and a dispersant. Other electrodes on the solar cell can be produced in a similar manner with the aluminum ink composition.

Abstract: Tape lamination on a dry copper ink film, followed by a flash lamp procedure, produces conductive films. The tape lamination increases the curing parameter window and reduces crack formation in the metallic film Tape lamination facilitates curing of a continuous copper film on temperature sensitive substrates, such as PET, at power levels that would usually crack blow off the copper film This lamination process also improves adhesion and uniformity of the cured film.