Abstract: A battery fabrication method includes forming on a substrate, at least a portion of a battery cell having a plurality of battery component films that include an underlying film with an overlying metal-containing film. A beam incident area of the metal-containing film is locally heated by directing onto the metal-containing film, an energy beam maintained at a fluence of at least about 800 J/cm2. The metal-containing film is heated to a temperature that is at least 100° C. higher than the temperature attained by the underlying film.

Abstract: A solid-state, mismatched battery comprises a first battery cell having a first internal resistance, and a second battery cell having a second internal resistance, the second internal resistance being a predefined resistance that is less than the first internal resistance. One or more of electrical connectors electrically couple the first and second battery cells. A casing encloses the first and second battery cells. A pair of terminals is electrically coupled to the first and second battery cells to output electrical power to an external load.

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: A system and method for assigning unique and immutable attributes to user profiles and associated image(s) to facilitate the dynamic indication of supervisory control and monitoring through iconic representation, steganographic processing and/or encryption processing.

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: A lithium battery comprises a battery support and a cathode current collector directly on and in contact with the battery support. The cathode current collector is composed of molybdenum and comprises a thickness of at least about 0.01 microns. A cathode is on the cathode current collector, an electrolyte on the cathode, and at least one of an anode or anode current collector on the electrolyte.

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 at least one battery component film comprising a metal or metal compound. A plurality of pulsed laser beam bursts from a femtosecond laser source that is set to provide a pulsed laser beam having an irradiance level of from about 10 to about 800 J/cm2, are applied to the battery component film to vaporize at least a portion of the metal or metal compound of the battery component film substantially without causing fractures along the cleavage planes of the battery substrate.

Abstract: A trellis mounted system for irrigation and frost prevention is described. The irrigation system comprises a trellis, a first conduit coupled to the trellis, and a second conduit coupled to the trellis. The first conduit delivers a heated water stream to a nozzle that provides a heated water spray to an area surrounding the trellis. The second conduit provides drip irrigation to a ground area surrounding the trellis. The heated water supplied by the trellis mounted irrigation system prevents the development of damaging frost on agricultural plants.

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.