Abstract: A method and a system for balancing cells of a vehicle battery includes discharging charge from a highest charged cell for a discharge time period dependent on a charge difference between the highest charged cell and a lowest charged cell at a given time. The cells may be charged with the discharge charge during a charge time period.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a metal oxygen battery is provided. The metal oxygen battery includes a battery housing including a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment includes a first electrode and an oxygen storage material in communication with the first electrode. The second compartment includes a second electrode and the second electrode includes a metal material (M). In another embodiment, the oxygen storage material is configured as a number of particles disposed within the first electrode. In certain instances, at least a portion of the number of particles are each contained within a selective transport member. In certain other instances, the selective transport member is oxygen permeable and electrolyte impermeable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cementitious composition that can effectively reduce the adsorption of water, which comprises a) at least one polymer that is the polymerization product of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, in the form of their polymer dispersions and water-redispersible polymer powders; and b) at least one alkyl and/or alkenyl substituted dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides.

Abstract: A method comprising; a) assembling a plurality of ceramic filters, into an array wherein two or more of the outer surfaces of each filter are located adjacent to outer surfaces of other ceramic filters with removable spacers located between the adjacent surfaces of ceramic filters such that the spaces between, the adjacent surfaces are uniform m a work surface; b) removing sequentially one or more of the ceramic filters or horizontal rows of the ceramic filters and removing the spacers between adjacent surfaces until a single ceramic fitter or horizontal row remains; c) applying a cement layer to the outer surface of the single ceramic filter or horizontal row on the work surface; d) replacing the next adjacent ceramic filter or horizontal row of ceramic filters in the location the ceramic filler or horizontal row of ceramic filters were removed from; e) sequentially applying layers of cement to the outer surface of a ceramic filter or outer surfaces of a horizontal row of ceramic filters and replacing the ne

Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods and system for enabling an authorized vehicle driveaway. A vehicle driveaway authorization code for authorizing a vehicle to be driven and a user authorization code that corresponds to the vehicle driveaway authorization code may be generated. The codes may be generated by, for example, at least one server configured to generate the authorization codes. The at least one server may be communicating with a nomadic device and a vehicle driveaway authorization system. A vehicle driveaway request signal may be received. In response to a receipt of the vehicle driveaway request signal, the vehicle driveaway authorization code may be transmitted to the vehicle driveaway authorization system and the user authorization code may be transmitted to the nomadic device for input to the vehicle driveaway authorization system in order to enable the vehicle to be driven.

Abstract: A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing zoxamide and zinc pyrithione is provided. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the growth of or controlling the growth of microorganisms in a building material by adding such a synergistic antimicrobial composition. Also provided is a coating composition containing such a synergistic antimicrobial composition, and a dry film made from such a coating composition.

Abstract: In one aspect, a hydrogen storage system includes a sealed container including an inner temperature of 77 degrees Kelvin or greater, a sorbent material enclosed within the sealed container and including a sorbent substrate and a hydrogen splitting catalyst connected to the sorbent substrate via a chemical bond, and one or more hydrogen atoms enclosed within the sealed container. In certain instances, the one or more hydrogen atoms are connected to the sorbent material via interactions greater than Van der Waals interactions. In another aspect, a method of storing hydrogen includes: inputting molecular hydrogen to a sorbent material to form a charged sorbent material, the sorbent material including a sorbent substrate and a hydrogen splitting catalyst connected to the sorbent substrate via a chemical bond; and storing the charged sorbent material at a temperature of greater than 77 degrees Kelvin.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods and systems for determining a tire pressure status. The system may include at least one computer. An input defining an inflation status of one or more vehicle tires, as well as tire inflation data of the one or more tires, may be received. A specific value associated with an inflation event of the one or more vehicle tires may be calculated based on the inflation data. Further, one or more messages for outputting the specific value from one or more vehicle components may be generated and transmitted to the one or more vehicle components. The specific value may be output as one or more messages from the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided are gap-fill methods. The methods comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate having a relief image on a surface of the substrate, the relief image comprising a plurality of gaps to be filled; (b) applying a gap-fill composition over the relief image, wherein the gap-fill composition comprises a self-crosslinkable polymer and a solvent, wherein the self-crosslinkable polymer comprises a first unit comprising a polymerized backbone and a crosslinkable group pendant to the backbone; and (c) heating the gap-fill composition at a temperature to cause the polymer to self-crosslink. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for the filling of high aspect ratio gaps.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper energy absorber system includes a foam energy absorber (EA) for transverse mounting forward of a bumper and having a plurality of cavities formed therein. Variable-stiffness elements are located within the cavities and embedded within the EA. The variable-stiffness elements are formed from open-cell foam treated with magneto-rheological fluid. Electromagnetic devices are co-located with the respective elements and are energized to create magnetic fields acting on the magneto-rheological the elements and thereby increase the stiffness of the elements. When energized, the elements increase the overall stiffness of the EA/element system. When the electromagnetic devices are not energized, the stiffness of the EA by itself is relatively low to meet pedestrian protection goals. At speeds where pedestrian protection is not required but low-speed damageability goals are important, the electromagnetic devices are energized to stiffen the EA/element system.

Abstract: A pedestrian safety system for use with a motor vehicle includes a vehicle hood movable between a closed position and a raised position wherein a leading edge of the hood is raised relative to a front surface of the vehicle to form a gap, and a leg stiffener movable between a retracted position wherein it is beneath the hood when the hood is closed and a deployed position wherein the stiffener projects through the gap and is forward of the leading edge of the hood when the hood is raised. At least one actuator mounted beneath the hood moves the stiffener between the retracted and deployed positions. A remote sensing system detects an impending collision with a pedestrian and triggers the raising of the hood and extension of the actuators.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain, includes: sensing a vehicle speed; selecting a plurality of control strategies; activating one of the plurality of control strategies, the control strategy including: (i) operating the vehicle in a stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is below a first threshold; and (ii) operating the vehicle in a rolling stationary start-stop mode when the vehicle speed is above the first threshold but below a second threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle braking system includes commanding vehicle brakes to provide braking torque based on a driver braking request in response to a detected collision and an anticipated application of a driver-actuated brake pedal after the collision. The method additionally includes activating the vehicle brakes in the absence of application of the brake pedal in response to a subsequent application and release of the brake pedal while a motion sensor reading exceeds a predefined threshold.

Abstract: Interpolymer resins having ethylene monomer residues and residues of a non-conjugated diene comonomer. The non-conjugated diene comonomer can be a dialkenyl phthalate. Incorporation of non-conjugated diene comonomers into interpolymers can provide additional labile unsaturation sites for cross-linking. The interpolymers and cross-linked variations thereof can be employed in a variety of articles of manufacture, such as, for example, as insulation material for power cables.

Abstract: A battery charger may be capable of receiving power from a power distribution circuit including a fuse and may be configured to reduce reactive power through the fuse caused by at least one load, other than the charger, electrically connected with the power distribution circuit.

Abstract: A reinforced liftgate is provided for a vehicle. That reinforced liftgate includes an inner panel having a first aperture and a first reinforcing plate having a second aperture. The first reinforcing plate engages the inner panel so that the first and second apertures are aligned. A first ball stud is mounted to the inner panel in the first and second apertures. In one embodiment the liftgate also includes a hinge reinforcement.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a battery and a controller programmed to calculate a battery voltage characteristic from previously measured charge and discharge data. The battery voltage characteristic is based on differences between the previously measured values when state of charge falls in a range in which the differences are approximately equal. Outside of the range, the charge and discharge voltage data are corrected based on a square root of time to obtain the battery voltage characteristic. The characterization may be performed with a high-rate continuous charge and discharge cycle. Also disclosed is an apparatus for generating the battery characteristic that includes a bi-directional power supply. The battery voltage characteristic is obtained based on the differences of the charge and discharge voltage data and corrected data based on the square root of time. A method is also disclosed based on the same.

Abstract: Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are provided. The catalyst system can include a catalyst support, wherein the catalyst support has an average particle size of about 2 microns to about 200 microns. Nanoparticles are adhered to the catalyst support, wherein the nanoparticles have an average particle size of about 2 to about 200 nanometers. A catalyst is supported on the catalyst support.

Abstract: A rigid barrier system includes a base piece and a face piece. The face piece may be configured to be to be mounted to the base piece, such that the face piece is laterally movable while mounted to the base piece in an unfixed mode. Alternatively or additionally, the rigid barrier system may include a steel floor plate resting on a base layer. A mass of the base layer may be at least ten times a mass of the face piece and the base piece.

Abstract: An article with at least two extruded thermoplastic polymer foam pieces that fit together to form a length of foam having a generally annular cross section, each piece having a concave surface such that the concave surfaces adjoin to form an internal edge defining a hole within the generally annular cross section; wherein each piece has a density less than 36 kilograms per cubic meter, a product of density times average cell size that is less than 17 millimeters*kilogram per cubic meter, and a thermal conductivity of 35 milliwatts per meter*Kelvin or less.