Abstract: A photocatalytic system having enhanced photo efficiency/photonic efficacy is provided that includes a thin nucleation material coated on a substrate. The nucleation material enhances lattice matching for a subsequently deposited photocatalytic active material. Such a photocatalytic system may be used as a self-cleaning surface in an application where removal of fingerprints and other residue is desired. In certain aspects, the nucleation material comprises aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and the photocatalytic material comprises an anatase phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) deposited over the nucleation material. A photocatalytic activity of the system is ?about 50% above a comparative photocatalytic activity where the photocatalytic active material is disposed directly on the substrate. Methods of making such photocatalytic systems are also provided.

Abstract: Resistance spot welding of a steel workpiece to an aluminum or an aluminum alloy workpiece can be facilitated by replacing the refractory aluminum oxide-based layer(s) on at least the faying surface of the aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece with a protective coating that is more conducive to the spot welding process. The protective coating may be a metallic coating or a metal oxide conversion coating. In a preferred embodiment, the protective coating is a coating of zinc, tin, or an oxide of titanium, zirconium, chromium, or silicon.

Abstract: A hybrid shaping-and-energizing system, for use in efficiently joining together multiple workpieces while inhibiting establishment of weld material in unwanted areas. The system including a shaping tool configured to form at least one recess in a proximate workpiece of the workpieces to be joined, and a weld-energy applicator connected to the shaping tool and configured to apply weld energy to the proximate workpiece. The recess is formed, and weld energy applied, so that molten workpiece material becomes disposed within the recess, thereby inhibiting formation of weld material in any undesired position.

Abstract: A power inverter including a multi-phase inverter circuit is electrically connected to a high-voltage DC power source, and includes a capacitor electrically connected between positive and negative conductors of a high-voltage bus. A normally-ON discharge switch is electrically connected in series with a discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus. The discharge switch includes a control gate, wherein the control gate of the discharge switch is in communication with an ignition switch. The discharge switch is controllable to an open state between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus when the ignition switch is in an ON state. The discharge switch achieves a closed state to provide a low-impedance electric current flow path through the discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus when the ignition switch is in an OFF state.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a concentration estimation value of hydrogen gas in an anode sub-system of a fuel cell system is within a predetermined threshold of a valid hydrogen gas concentration, and if not, correcting the estimation value. The method includes providing a hydrogen gas concentration sensor value from a virtual sensor and calculating the hydrogen gas concentration estimation value using a gas concentration estimation model. The method also includes determining if a difference between the estimation value and the sensor value is greater than at least one threshold, and if so, causing an extended bleed event to occur that bleeds an anode exhaust gas to force the estimation value to be closer to the sensor value. The method also includes setting a diagnostic if multiple extended bleeds do not cause the estimation value and the sensor value to converge.

Abstract: The present technology includes a washer system comprising a washer switch assembly and an electronic module. The washer switch includes a ground configured for electrical connection with a washer pump by way of a switch and a fuse contact configured to receive control signals from a power-mode relay. The electronic module includes a controller comprising a computer-readable storage device, and the controller is electrically isolated from the washer switch assembly and the washer pump in operation of the system.

Abstract: An antenna module mounted to a roof of a vehicle that includes a plurality of antenna elements for various vehicle communications systems. The antenna module also includes an FDM camera associated with an FDM, where the camera is positioned at the rear of the module and is mounted in a general flat configuration parallel to the roof the vehicle so that the camera field-of-view is directed upward and so that metal components of the camera do not interfere with the radiation pattern of the antenna elements. The camera includes one or more optical elements, such as a prism or reflector, mounted to the camera or other structure that redirects the camera field-of-view rearward of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-pulse fuel delivery control systems, methods for using such systems, and motor vehicles with engines employing multi-pulse fuel injection schemes. A fuel delivery control system is disclosed with fuel injectors that selectively inject multiple pulses of fuel per working cycle into cylinders of an engine. An engine sensor detects an operating condition of the engine, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) sensor detects a state of an EGR system coupled to the engine. An engine control unit is programmed to: determine, from the detected EGR state, a current intake burned gas fraction; determine, from the detected engine operating condition, a desired intake burned gas fraction; determine a secondary fuel mass injection adjustment based on the desired and current intake burned gas fractions; and command the fuel injectors to inject two fuel pulses into each cylinder per working cycle, with the second pulse modified based on the determined adjustment.

Abstract: A system and method for providing target selection and threat assessment for vehicle collision avoidance purposes that employ probability analysis of radar scan returns. The system determines a travel path of a host vehicle and provides a radar signal transmitted from a sensor on the host vehicle. The system receives multiple scan return points from detected objects, processes the scan return points to generate a distribution signal defining a contour of each detected object, and processes the scan return points to provide a position, a translation velocity and an angular velocity of each detected object. The system selects the objects that may enter the travel path of the host vehicle, and makes a threat assessment of those objects by comparing a number of scan return points that indicate that the object may enter the travel path to the number of the scan points that are received for that object.

Abstract: A cellular radio architecture that includes a programmable bandpass sampling radio frequency front-end and an optimized digital baseband. The architecture includes a receiver module having a plurality of signal channels for different frequency bands, where each signal channel in the receiver module includes a receiver delta-sigma modulator that converts analog receive signals to a representative digital signal. The architecture also includes a transmitter module having a transmitter delta-sigma modulator for converting digital data bits to analog transmit signals, where the transmitter module includes a power amplifier and a switch for directing the transmit signals to one of the signal paths. The architecture also includes a dual self-cancellation circuit providing digital and analog cancellation of the transmit signal in the receiver module.

Abstract: A system and method for providing online calibration of a plurality of cameras in a surround-view camera system on a vehicle. The method provides consecutive images from each of the cameras in the surround-view system and identifies overlap image areas for adjacent cameras. The method identifies matching feature points in the overlap areas of the images and estimates camera parameters in world coordinates for each of the cameras. The method then estimates a vehicle pose of the vehicle in world coordinates and calculates the camera parameters in vehicle coordinates using the estimated camera parameters in the world coordinates and the estimated vehicle pose to provide the calibration.