Abstract: Vertical via connections to a battery are hermetically sealed to prevent environmental factors (e.g. moisture, oxygen, and nitrogen) from entering the internals of the battery through porous conductive material filling the vias resulting in reduced battery performance and battery failure.

Abstract: A pulse mode apparatus comprises a mismatched battery electrically connected to a pulse mode device having a pulse duty cycle with a power-on time period and a power-off time period. The mismatched battery comprises a first battery cell having a first internal resistance and first charge capacity, and a second battery cell having a second internal resistance and second charge capacity, and the battery comprises at least one of the following: (1) the second internal resistance is less than the first internal resistance, and (2) the second charge capacity is less than the first charge capacity. The battery also has a pair of electrical connectors electrically coupling the first and second battery cells in parallel, a pair of terminals connected to the first or second battery cells, and a casing around the first and second battery cells with the terminals extending out of the casing.

Abstract: A lithium battery comprises at least one battery cell on a support, the battery cell comprising a plurality of electrodes about an electrolyte. A protective casing comprises a cover spaced apart from and covering the battery cell to form a gap therebetween with a polymer filling the gap. In one version, the polymer comprises polyvinylidene chloride polymer. First and second terminals extend out of the protective casing, the first and second terminals being connected to different electrodes of the battery cell.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an electrical appliance can tolerate variations in supplied electrical energy. In some embodiments, the method may include coupling the electrical appliance to a source of electrical energy, delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance, wherein the electrical energy is delivered at a first electrical energy level, obtaining a first measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the first electrical energy level, delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance at a second electrical energy level different than the first electrical energy level, obtaining a second measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the second electrical energy level, and comparing the first measurement of current to the second measurement of current.

Abstract: A building automation system including a controller, at least one outlet for providing electrical energy to one or more electrical devices, at least one sensor for detecting one or more characteristics of the electrical devices, and a communication link configured to allow communication between the controller and other components of the system, wherein the controller is configured to control (e.g., interrupt, change, adjust, terminate, increase, and/or meter) the supply of power to the at least one outlet based, in part, on one or more characteristics of the electrical device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for dynamically adjusting functions of an automation system. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems, devices, and methods for intelligently controlling one or more energy-consuming devices in a structure such as a residential, commercial, or industrial building. One embodiment include determining an identity of a person and/or the direction the person is traveling, and then changing a function of an actuator based on the determination(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for mapping components of an automation system. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems, devices, and methods for intelligently controlling one or more energy-consuming devices in a structure such as a residential, commercial, or industrial building. One embodiment includes a method of identifying a location of at least one component of an automation system, comprising obtaining an image of the at least one component, the image being captured by a wireless device; determining a location of the wireless device at the time of capturing the image; determining an identity of the at least one component; and associating the identity of the at least one component with the location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for configuring an automation system. A parameter for a building in which an automation system is to be installed is obtained. Configuration information is obtained for properly configuring components of the automation system in accordance with a parameter for the building. It is determined whether or not each of the components of the automation system being installed within the building is properly configured based on the obtained configuration information and input received from a user indicating the locations of the respective components within the building. A notification is provided to the user, which indicates the results of the determination for one or more of the components, and the user is presented with options for modifying configuration settings for one or more of the components.

Abstract: Automation systems and methods of use thereof are generally disclosed. The systems may control devices, and may monitor use of a utility and provide feedback related to the utility usage. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems including personalized incentives to encourage responsible usage of a utility.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an electrical appliance can tolerate variations in supplied electrical energy. In some embodiments, the method may include coupling the electrical appliance to a source of electrical energy, delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance, wherein the electrical energy is delivered at a first electrical energy level, obtaining a first measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the first electrical energy level, delivering electrical energy to the electrical appliance at a second electrical energy level different than the first electrical energy level, obtaining a second measurement of current consumed by the electrical appliance at the second electrical energy level, and comparing the first measurement of current to the second measurement of current.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of detecting the presence of a plug comprising: a plurality of receptacles configured to receive a plurality of prongs from a plug, wherein the plurality of receptacles includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle; a controller configured to detect whether a first prong of the plurality of prongs is present in the first receptacle; and a switch configured to provide power to the second receptacle. The switch provides power to the second receptacle when the controller detects that the first prong of the plurality of prongs is present in the first receptacle and the switch does not provide power to the second receptacle when the controller does not detect that the first prong is present in the first receptacle.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a battery comprises selecting a battery substrate having cleavage planes, and depositing on the battery substrate, one or more battery component films comprising electrode films that at least partially surround an electrolyte film. Pulsed laser beam bursts are applied to the battery component films at a sufficiently high power level to vaporize portions of the films to form shaped battery features. The pulsed laser bursts shape the films substantially without causing fractures along the cleavage planes of the battery substrate. Pulsed laser shaping can be used to replace the use of a mask in the fabrication of shaped battery components.

Abstract: A method for tracking a quantity of a utility supplied to a device connected to a utility supply associated with a first account of the utility is disclosed. The method may include determining if the device is associated with a second account, and associating the quantity of the utility consumed by the device to the second account if the device is associated with the second account.

Abstract: A battery packaging method comprises providing a battery comprising at least one battery cell on a substrate, the battery cell comprising a plurality of electrodes about an electrolyte, and the battery having at least one open peripheral side surface. A thermoplastic bead is provided at an open peripheral side surface of the battery. A cap is placed over the battery and in contact with the thermoplastic bead. The thermoplastic bead is locally heated by directing an energy beam onto the thermoplastic bead, the energy beam having a beam width sized sufficiently small to heat a beam incident region on the thermoplastic bead substantially without heating adjacent regions.

Abstract: A method of depositing lithium-containing films on a battery substrate in a sputtering chamber is provided. At least one pair of sputtering targets that each comprise a lithium-containing sputtering member is provided in the sputtering chamber, the sputtering targets selected to each have a conductivity of at least about 5×10?6 S·cm?1. A substrate carrier holding at least one battery substrate is placed in the sputtering chamber. A pressure of sputtering gas is maintained in the sputtering chamber. The sputtering gas is energized by applying to the pair of sputtering targets, an electrical power at a frequency of from about 10 to about 100 kHz.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for dynamically adjusting functions of an automation system. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems, devices, and methods for intelligently controlling one or more energy-consuming devices in a structure such as a residential, commercial, or industrial building. One embodiment include determining an identity of a person and/or the direction the person is traveling, and then changing a function of an actuator based on the determination(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for mapping components of an automation system. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems, devices, and methods for intelligently controlling one or more energy-consuming devices in a structure such as a residential, commercial, or industrial building. One embodiment includes a method of identifying a location of at least one component of an automation system, comprising obtaining an image of the at least one component, the image being captured by a wireless device; determining a location of the wireless device at the time of capturing the image; determining an identity of the at least one component; and associating the identity of the at least one component with the location.

Abstract: A plasma deposition method deposits a battery component material on a partially fabricated battery cell comprising a battery component layer containing charge-carrying metal species and having an exposed surface. A mesh screen is maintained at a preset distance from the exposed surface, the mesh screen having a plurality of mesh openings. A process gas is energized to form a plasma by applying an electrical power to deposit the battery component material onto the exposed surface of the battery component layer. The mesh screen reduces migration of the charge-carrying metal species in the battery component layer to the exposed surface of the partially fabricated battery cell.

Abstract: A battery fabrication method comprises forming at least one battery cell on a battery substrate by depositing a plurality of battery component films on the battery substrate, the battery component films comprising at least a pair of electrodes about an electrolyte. An overlying protective multilayer coating is formed over the battery cell. A plurality of pulsed laser bursts of a pulsed laser beam is applied to the battery substrate, the pulsed laser bursts having sufficient power and duration to cut through the battery substrate and the overlying protective multilayer coating.