Abstract: A silicon anode material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium and methods of formation relating thereto are provided. The silicon anode material comprises a plurality of carbon-encased silicon clusters, where each carbon-encased silicon cluster includes a volume of silicon nanoparticles encased in a carbon shell having an interior volume greater than the volume of the silicon nanoparticles. The method of making the silicon anode material includes forming a plurality of precursor clusters, where each precursor silicon-based cluster comprises a volume of SiOx nanoparticles (x?2). The method further includes carbon coating each of the precursor clusters to form a plurality of carbon-coated SiOx clusters; and reducing the SiOx nanoparticles in each of the carbon-coated SiOx clusters to form the silicon anode material.

Abstract: A self-cleaning film system includes a substrate and a film. The film includes a monolayer formed from a fluorinated material, and a first plurality of regions disposed within the monolayer and spaced apart from one another such that each of the regions abuts, is surrounded by, and is not covered by the fluorinated material. Each of the regions includes a photocatalytic material. The system may include a wave guide disposed adjacent the substrate. The wave guide includes a first light source configured for emitting a first portion of electromagnetic radiation towards the film having an ultraviolet wavelength of from 10 nm to 400 nm, and a second light source configured for emitting a second portion of electromagnetic radiation towards the film having an infrared wavelength of from 700 nm to 1 mm. A method of forming a self-cleaning film system configured for reducing a visibility of a contaminant is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrolyte system for an electrochemical cell includes an aprotic solvent, such as an ether-based solvent and a lithium salt, and a solid component. The aprotic solvent has a dielectric constant of ?3. The solid component is in direct communication with the aprotic solvent. The solid component includes a sulfide or oxy-sulfide, glass or glass-ceramic electrolyte. The sulfide or oxy-sulfide, glass or glass-ceramic electrolyte has a weighted average bond dissociation enthalpy of greater than or equal to about 380 kJ/mol, which corresponds to a glass having strong bonds. The sulfide or oxy-sulfide, glass or glass-ceramic electrolyte is therefore insoluble in the aprotic solvent. The solid component is lithium ion-conducting and electrically insulating. The electrolyte system may be disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode in an electrochemical cell. In various aspects, the negative electrode includes lithium metal and the positive electrode includes sulfur.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a coated body hardened by hot forming. The base body is austenitized in a method step. The coating of the precoated base body is oxidized artificially prior to this method step. A body produced according to the method has an oxidized layer with a thickness of between 0.05 ?m and 30 ?m.

Abstract: A sitting, reclining and/or leaning device is provided for arrangement in a vehicle. The device includes a seat frame and several wing elements. The wing elements are arranged on the seat frame in a shared plane when in a basic position. The wing elements may be swiveled out of the basic position into at least one swivel position.

Abstract: A system configured to facilitate an electronic chat session between a user and an agent includes an agent interface device, one or more processors, and non-transitory computer readable memory storing program code. Upon execution of the stored program code, the system displays a chat window on the agent interface device, user and agent messages within the chat window, and pre-message text within the chat window. The pre-message text is displayed while the user is composing an unsent message.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid that communicates with an analog electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) subsystem or a manual valve. The ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS valve, a park servo, a park mechanism, a mode valve, and a plurality of solenoids. The ETRS and manual valve communicate with a clutch actuator subsystem that engages a one-way clutch and six clutches/brakes.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes a rotor shaft defining a cavity within the rotor shaft and a radial hole extending from the cavity to an external surface of the rotor shaft, and a restrictor that reduces a flow of liquid through the radial hole in response to a rotational speed of the hollow rotor shaft exceeding a predetermined threshold rotational speed.

Abstract: A transparent pane assembly includes a transparent pane and an antenna. The transparent pane is made of at least one dielectric substrate, and includes a first area and a second area adjacent to the first area. The antenna is fixed to the transparent pane, and includes a first portion spanning across the first area and a second portion spanning across the second area, the first portion being of a density that is greater than the second portion.

Abstract: A method of making a negative electrode for an electrochemical cell includes applying a fluoropolymer via a deposition process to one or more surface regions of an electroactive material. The electroactive material may be selected from the group consisting of: lithium metal, silicon metal, silicon-containing alloys, and combinations thereof. The fluoropolymer reacts with lithium to form a composite surface layer on the one or more surface regions that comprises an organic matrix material having lithium fluoride particles distributed therein. Electrochemical cells including such negative electrode are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in an autonomous vehicle for providing auditory guidance to a pedestrian. In one embodiment, a processor-implemented method in a vehicle for providing auditory guidance includes: identifying a desire to communicate with a pedestrian; determining a message to communicate to the pedestrian; calculating a travel path about which to make the pedestrian aware; positioning a directional acoustic device to project directional sound waves to a starting point of the travel path; modulating the message in the directional sound waves; and repositioning the directional acoustic device to project the directional sound waves with the modulated message along the travel path, wherein as the directional sound waves contact with a travel path surface the message is demodulated and a sound conveying the message appears to originate from and travel along the travel path.

Abstract: Provided are oil reservoirs and engine oil circulation systems including an upper sump capable of receiving oil from an engine, a lower sump disposed vertically below the upper sump, a valve-controlled orifice (VCO) penetrating the upper sum bottom, an oil chimney capable of receiving oil and communicating oil to the lower sump, and an oil conduit capable of extracting oil from the lower sump. Methods for operating systems include maintaining the VCO in an open position for a draw down duration temporally proximate an engine cold start, subsequently circulating oil between the engine and the oil reservoir, actuating the VCO to a closed position subsequent to the draw down duration for a warmup duration, and actuating the VCO to an open position subsequent to the warmup duration. Methods can further include actuating the VCO to an open position during the warmup duration in response to an increased oil demand event.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively analyzing radar signals of a radar system of a vehicle. A receiver is configured to receive a plurality of radar signals of a radar system of a vehicle. The interface is configured to obtain data from one or more sensors of the vehicle having a modality that is different from the radar system. The processor is coupled to the receiver and to the interface, and is configured to selectively analyze the plurality of radar signals based upon the data.

Abstract: A bearing shell for an automotive propulsion system is provided, along with a crankshaft assembly and an engine having a bearing shell. The bearing shell comprises an inner layer having an inner layer thickness. The inner layer defines a bearing surface on an inner side. The bearing surface of the inner layer is configured to support and contact an oil film. The bearing shell also has an outer layer disposed around the inner layer and radially outward of the inner layer. The outer layer has an outer layer thickness that is greater than the inner layer thickness, the outer layer thickness being at least one millimeter. The outer layer is formed of an outer layer material comprising an aluminum alloy and/or a metal matrix composite material. The inner layer is formed of an inner layer material, wherein the outer layer material is stronger than the inner layer material.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a window frame delimiting a window aperture and a window pane that is adjustably positioned in the window aperture. The window frame includes a first leg having a first surface which is situated opposite a first edge of the window pane extending in the adjusting direction. The window frame also includes a second leg having a second surface which is located opposite a second edge of the window pane extending in the adjusting direction. At least the first surface of the first leg delimits a clearance of the window pane transversely to the adjusting direction. In a closed position, the first edge and the first surface touch one another at the height of an upper region of the first leg. At a height of a lower region of the first leg the first edge and the first surface run spaced from one another.

Abstract: A motor vehicle device includes a movable windowpane, which can be moved into a first end position, and an actuation mechanism having a touch-sensitive surface and by which a sliding movement of an operating element on the surface can be detected. The actuation mechanism cooperates with a drive of the windowpane in such a way that the windowpane is moved into the first end position when a sliding movement occurring at least in part in a predetermined first movement direction is detected.