Abstract: A method of depositing lithium metal oxide on a battery substrate in a sputtering chamber comprising a substrate support, first and second sputtering targets each comprising lithium metal oxide, and first and second electrodes about the backside surfaces of the first and second sputtering targets respectively. In the method, a substrate is placed on the substrate support, sputtering gas maintained at a pressure and energized by applying an alternating voltage of AC power to the first and second electrodes so that each electrode is alternately either an anode or a cathode. The alternating voltage can be applied within a frequency range while also applying a time varying magnetic field about each of the surfaces of the first and second targets.

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.

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: 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: A battery comprises at least one battery cell on a support, the battery cell comprising a plurality of electrodes about an electrolyte, and having a surface. A thermoplastic material covers the surface of the battery cell, the thermoplastic material comprising a nitrogen permeability or oxygen permeability that is less than 20 cm3*mm/(m2*day). A cap covers the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A surface water heating system for irrigation is described. The irrigation apparatus comprises an irrigation manifold, a heat exchanger, a first conduit system, and a second conduit system. A geothermal heated fluid, e.g. water, flows through the first conduit system. A first pump extracts the geothermal heated water from a geothermal source and conducts the heated water through the heat exchanger, and returns the geothermal water, now cooled, to the geothermal water source. Surface water flows through the second conduit system. A second pump extracts water from a higher quality water resource such as a surface water resource and conducts the illustrative surface water through the heat exchanger. Subsequently, the surface water is delivered to the irrigation manifold. Within the heat exchanger, heat is transferred from the geothermal heated water to the higher quality water resource. The geothermal heated water does not come into contact with the illustrative surface water within the irrigation apparatus.

Abstract: A sealed unit includes at least two sheets of transparent or translucent material separated from each other by a spacer. One example of a spacer for a sealed unit includes a first elongate strip, a second elongate strip, and filler arranged therebetween. The first and second elongate strips have a small undulating shape in some embodiments. Methods of making spacers and window assemblies as well as devices for use in the manufacture of spacers and assemblies are disclosed including a manufacturing jig and a spool storage rack. The spool storage rack stores a plurality of spools configured to store spacer materials thereon.

Abstract: A spacer for a sealed unit is formed of a stretched elongate strip of material, such as metal. The elongate strip is longitudinally stretched, causing a reduction in the thickness of the material. Stretching is performed by applying a tension across a segment of an elongate strip. The tension can be applied to the elongate strip by passing the elongate strip through at least two spaced sets of rollers. A first set of rollers operating at a first speed engages with the elongate strip and a second set of rollers operating at a second speed applies a tension to the elongate strip to cause stretching of the material. Corrugated rollers can also be used to form the material into an undulating shape.

Abstract: A pulse abnormality detecting device comprises a band attached to a wrist, a first sliding member with which the band is armored and which slides in the circumference direction of the band along the band, a second sliding member which is slidably provided on the first sliding member and which slides in the axis direction of the band, a pulse sensor which is provided on the second sliding member and which is provided in such a manner that the position of the sensor can be adjusted to the inner side or the side of the band, and a pulse abnormality detecting unit for detecting the abnormality of the pulse from the output data of the pulse sensor. The device can accurately detect the pulse of a user with high precision, adapting to a personal difference.

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: A thin film battery manufacturing method is provided for deposition of lithium metal oxide films onto a battery substrate. The films are deposited in a sputtering chamber having a plurality of sputtering targets and magnetrons. The sputtering gas is energized by applying a voltage bias between a pair of the sputtering targets at a frequency of between about 10 and about 100 kHz. The method can provide a deposition rate of lithium cobalt oxide of between about 0.2 and about 4 microns/hr with improved film quality.

Abstract: A sealed unit includes at least two sheets of transparent or translucent material separated from each other by a spacer. One example of a spacer for a sealed unit includes a first elongate strip, a second elongate strip, and filler arranged therebetween. The first and second elongate strips have a small undulating shape in some embodiments. Methods of making spacers and window assemblies as well as devices for use in the manufacture of spacers and assemblies are disclosed including a manufacturing jig and a spool storage rack. The spool storage rack stores a plurality of spools configured to store spacer materials thereon.

Abstract: A spacer for a sealed unit is formed of a stretched elongate strip of material, such as metal. The elongate strip is longitudinally stretched, causing a reduction in the thickness of the material. Stretching is performed by applying a tension across a segment of an elongate strip. The tension can be applied to the elongate strip by passing the elongate strip through at least two spaced sets of rollers. A first set of rollers operating at a first speed engages with the elongate strip and a second set of rollers operating at a second speed applies a tension to the elongate strip to cause stretching of the material. Corrugated rollers can also be used to form the material into an undulating shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery comprises determining a safe charging voltage Vsafe that is the maximum open circuit voltage of the battery which provides a minimum battery capacity for a predetermined number of charge and discharge cycles of the battery. The battery is charged with a voltage Vhv which is higher than the Vsafe. The charging voltage is removed and open circuit voltage of the battery is measured. The charging and measuring steps are repeated when the open circuit voltage is less than Vsafe, and the charging process is terminated when the open circuit voltage is substantially equal to Vsafe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for management of virtual goods and objects including registration, authentication, market valuation and exchange thereof. Any virtual good or object may be registered via a Virtual Content Integration module which collects information about the virtual good or object from the creator thereof which, when complete, is transmitted to a Virtual Content Authentication module, where ownership information is embedded within the virtual good or object as meta data and/or cross referenced by the metadata within an authentication registry. All transactions involving the virtual good or object are transmitted through and referenced by a Virtual Content Transaction module. All transactions managed by the system and method are evaluated by a Virtual Content Exchange module which determines the real world equilibrium price of the virtual good or object based on estimated supply and demand curves to establish the parameters for and provide a commodity exchange for virtual goods and objects.

Abstract: A thin film battery comprises a substrate having a surface, and a plurality of battery cells on the substrate surface. Each battery cell comprises an electrolyte having opposing surfaces, and a plurality of conductors in electrical contact with at least one of the opposing surfaces of the electrolyte, the plurality of conductors including a first conductor in electrical contact with a surface of the electrolyte and a second conductor in electrical contact with the opposing surface of the electrolyte. At least one electrical connector strip connects a conductor of a first battery cell to a conductor of a second battery cell to electrically couple the first and second battery cells to one another.

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 spacer applicator assembly has tooling with a plurality of retention devices. An actuator is coupled to the tooling, where the actuator is adapted to continuously rotate the tooling about an axis in a first direction and the tooling is adapted to move in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A spacer assembly has a first end and a second end. A first elongate strip extends from the first end to the second end and a second elongate strip is spaced from the first elongate strip, and also extends from the first end to the second end. A sealant is disposed between the first end and the second end and a first flap protrudes from the second end and overlaps a portion of the first end. In a variety of embodiments a primary seal is defined between the first end and the second end and a flap protruding from the second end and extending over the first end defines a secondary seal.