Abstract: An electrical interconnect is disclosed that includes a first portion configured to be secured to a first terminal of a first electrochemical cell, wherein the first portion comprises a first conductive material, and a second portion configured to be secured to a second terminal of a second electrochemical cell, wherein the second portion comprises a second conductive material; wherein the first conductive material is different than the second conductive material. A method of manufacturing an electrical interconnect is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect is disclosed that includes an inner conductive material having a top surface and a bottom surface; and an outer conductive material different from the inner conductive material, wherein the outer conductive material is clad on the top and bottom surfaces of the inner conductive material, wherein the electrical interconnect is configured to be secured to a first terminal of a first electrochemical cell and a second terminal of a second electrochemical cell. A method of manufacturing an electrical interconnect is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is employed to mount an electronic component on a shelf. A first restraining device is associated with a support structure in a first location. The first restraining device is configured to operably engage a mating piece associated with the electronic component. The support structure is configured to guide an electronic component along an axis of insertion when introduced to the shelf. A second restraining device is associated with the support structure in a second location. The second restraining device is configured to secure the electronic component via one or more fastening elements.

Abstract: A cell module and modular cell tray apparatus for a modular electrochemical device that are more easily manufactured and serviced. A cell module is provided having a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cell module includes an electrically conductive carrier element having a plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture is configured to accept a top portion of an electrode body of an electrochemical cell. A modular cell tray apparatus is provided having a plurality of the cell modules. The cell tray apparatus includes an electrically insulating tray having rows of cell receptacles to accept the cell modules. A modular electrochemical device is provided having a plurality of the cell tray apparatuses. The modular electrochemical device includes a plurality of electrical connectors configured to electrically connect the cell modules within a cell tray apparatus, and to electrically connect the cell tray apparatuses to each other.

Abstract: Manufacturable and serviceable packaging configurations for multi-cell array batteries. A cell alignment structure is provided for positioning and securing an array of electrochemical cells. An inner battery packaging assembly is also provided having the cell alignment structure, a base plate configured to be disposed below the cell alignment structure, and a removable cover configured to fit over the cell alignment structure and attach to the base plate. Furthermore, an outer battery packaging assembly is provided having the inner battery packaging assembly, an outer support plate configured to be disposed below the inner battery packaging assembly, a removable thermal insulating material surrounding the inner battery packaging assembly, and a removable outer battery cover configured to fit over the inner battery packaging and over the surrounding thermal insulating material and attach to the outer support plate.

Abstract: A thermal management device is presently disclosed. The thermal management device includes an insulator with a maximum use temperature of at least 200 degrees Celsius, and a heating element having at least one heater leg, where the heater leg contacts the insulator and is configured to supply thermal energy. The heating element also has lead wires configured to provide a parallel electrical connection between the heater leg and a current source.

Abstract: A thermal management device is presently disclosed. The device includes a plurality of insulator panels with a maximum use temperature of at least 500 degrees Celsius, and a heating element having at least two heater legs electrically connected in parallel, each heater leg contacting at least one of the insulator panels, and lead wires configured to provide a parallel electrical connection between the heater legs and a current source. Also disclosed is a thermal management device having an insulator and a heating element, where each of the electrically parallel heater legs is configured to provide substantially uniform heat flux over at least one surface of the device. Also disclosed is an energy storage device that includes a plurality of energy storage cells, and a thermal management device configured to supply thermal energy to the cells.

Abstract: A coating for use in combustion systems includes a plurality of refractory metal particles in a ceramic, glass or metal matrix disposed on surfaces of the system that are prone to slag, ash, and/or char buildup during operation of the combustion system. The coating is effective to prevent any substantial interaction with the slag, ash, and/or char.

Abstract: A system is employed to mount an electronic component on a shelf. A first restraining device is associated with a support structure in a first location. The first restraining device is configured to operably engage a mating piece associated with the electronic component. The support structure is configured to guide an electronic component along an axis of insertion when introduced to the shelf. A second restraining device is associated with the support structure in a second location. The second restraining device is configured to secure the electronic component via one or more fastening elements.

Abstract: Imaging systems including a multiple focal spot x-ray source adapted to irradiate an object with a series of angularly displaced x-ray beams, one at a time, without substantial rotation or translation of the multiple focal spot x-ray source are provided. Such systems also includes a detector adapted to receive at least a fraction of the angularly displaced x-ray beams after being attenuated by the object to produce at least two x-ray projection images of the object. The imaging systems also include a processor adapted to shift and add the at least two x-ray projection images to bring at least two planes of the object into focus, one at a time.

Abstract: A method of joining a first component and a second component is provided. The first component has a surface that comprises at least about 75% by volume of a refractory metal. The second component has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the first component. The method includes disposing a coating on the surface of the first component. The coating includes an adhesion layer and a wetting layer disposed over the adhesion layer. The method further includes disposing a bonding material between the first and second components and joining them. The bonding material has a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of the second component. An article made using the method is also presented.

Abstract: A modular x-ray source for an imaging system includes an electron source mounting plate, two or more electron sources each mounted on and electrically coupled to the electron source mounting plate, and a target block positioned proximately to the two or more electron sources. The source includes two or more targets mounted on and electrically coupled to the target block, each target positioned opposite a respective one of the two or more electron sources to receive a respective beam of electrons therefrom.

Abstract: A modular x-ray source for an imaging system includes an electron source mounting plate, two or more electron sources each mounted on and electrically coupled to the electron source mounting plate, and a target block positioned proximately to the two or more electron sources. The source includes two or more targets mounted on and electrically coupled to the target block, each target positioned opposite a respective one of the two or more electron sources to receive a respective beam of electrons therefrom.

Abstract: A coating for use in combustion systems includes a plurality of refractory metal particles in a ceramic, glass or metal matrix disposed on surfaces of the system that are prone to slag, ash, and/or char buildup during operation of the combustion system. The coating is effective to prevent any substantial interaction with the slag, ash, and/or char.

Abstract: Systems and methods for highly collimated and temporally variable X-ray beams. Disclosed herein is a system for producing a collimated X-ray beam, the system including one or more distributed electron sources configured to produce electron beams, one or more X-ray production targets configured to receive the electron beams and to generate X-ray beams at X-ray focal spots, X-ray optics configured to collect the X-ray beams from the X-ray focal spots, wherein the X-rays optics are configured to focus the X-ray beams to a single virtual focal spot, and an X-ray collimator configured to collimate the X-ray beams from the virtual focal spot to generate the collimated X-ray beam.