Abstract: A method is disclosed for improved target grouping of sensor measurements in an object detection system. The method uses road curvature information to improve grouping accuracy by better predicting a new location of a known target object and matching it to sensor measurements. Additional target attributes are also used for improved grouping accuracy, where the attributes includes range rate, target cross-section and others. Distance compression is also employed for improved grouping accuracy, where range is compressed in a log scale calculation in order to diminish errors in measurement of distant objects. Grid-based techniques include the use of hash tables and a flood fill algorithm for improved computational performance of target object identification, where the number of computations can be reduced by an order of magnitude.

Abstract: A porous polymer battery separator includes variable porosity along its length and can increase the uniformity of the current density within electrochemical battery cells that may normally experience higher current density and higher temperatures near their terminal ends than they do near their opposite ends. By disposing a variable porosity separator between the electrodes of an electrochemical cell such that its terminal end has a lower porosity than its opposite end, the transport of ions through the separator can be more restricted in normally high current regions and less restricted in normally low current regions, thereby increasing the overall uniformity of current density within the cell. The separators may be produced by a dry-stretching process or by a wet process. These processes may include forming a polymer-containing film, producing a uniform distribution of pore sites within the film, and reforming the polymer-containing film to a uniform thickness.

Abstract: Methods for making a negative electrode material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, are provided. The electroactive material comprises silicon. The electroactive material comprises a functionalized surface having a grafted reactive group (e.g., an epoxide group, an amino group, a carboxyl group, and the like). The functionalized surface is admixed and reacted with a polymeric binder (e.g., polyalkylene oxide (PAO), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), and the like that also has at least one reactive functional group) and optionally electrically conductive particles. A porous solid electrode material is thus formed. Negative electrodes are also provided, which provide significant performance benefits and reduce the issues associated with capacity fade, diminished electrochemical cell performance, cracking, and short lifespan associated with conventional silicon anode materials.

Abstract: A method for starting a motor vehicle includes recognizing an engine on event of the motor vehicle at a powertrain control module in communication with a vehicle bus system operatively disposed in the motor vehicle. In response to recognizing the engine on event, an authentication request is transmitted from a verification module to a device having an electronic pattern-entry user interface. The method further includes receiving an entered pattern entered on the electronic pattern-entry user interface, and recognizing, by an authentication system, that the entered pattern is an authenticated pattern. In response to the recognizing that the entered pattern is the authenticated pattern, an authenticated engagement command is transmitted to the powertrain control module to instruct the powertrain control module to enter into an engaged state, the engaged state electrically enabling the powertrain control module to provide tractive power to a vehicle drive wheel.

Abstract: A method for providing localized stiffening of a vehicle trim panel using a plurality of discrete stiffening elements. The method includes selectively placing one or more of the discrete stiffening elements on the panel and then bonding the stiffening elements to the panel.

Abstract: A positive electrode includes a sulfur-based active material, a binder, a conductive filler, and porous, one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods. The one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods are mixed, as an additive, throughout the positive electrode with the sulfur-based active material, the binder, and the conductive filler. The positive electrode with the porous, one-dimensional metal oxide nanorods may be incorporated into any sulfur-based battery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to mitigate the severity of the bond-line read-out defect, and more specifically microwave heating to locally cure adhesive bond-line in a single or two stage process comprising heating thermoset adhesive with microwave radiation until the adhesive is fully cured or partially cured. If the adhesive is partially cured, it can be fully cured by being subjected to an additional thermal cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for quantifying an anode leak location in a fuel cell system. The system and method include determining there is a leak in an anode sub-system of a fuel cell stack and estimating a first effective leak area using a first leak flow value and first operating parameters. The system and method also include increasing airflow to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack and estimating a second leak effective area using a second leak flow value and second operating parameters. The system and method further include comparing the first leak effective area to the second leak effective area and determining an anode outflow leak location based on the comparison between the first and second leak effective areas.

Abstract: A bonding system (100) comprises a first substrate (110) having a first contact surface (115) comprising a plurality of protuberances (130), a second substrate (120) having a second contact surface (125), an adhesive (200) in contact with the first contact surface (115) and the second contact surface (125), and a plurality of solder balls (300) positioned in the adhesive between the first contact surface (115) and the second contact surface (125). A bonding method to produce a solder-reinforced adhesive bond joining a first substrate (110) and second substrate (120), comprises applying an adhesive (200) on a first contact surface (115), of the first substrate (110), including a plurality of protuberances (130), positioning, at least partially into the adhesive (200), each a plurality of solder balls (300), and connecting, to a portion of the adhesive (200) opposite the first contact surface (115), a second contact surface (125).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bonding system (100) comprising an adhesive (200), comprising thermoplastic material, in contact with a first contact surface (115) and a second contact surface (125), and a plurality of solder particles (300) positioned in the adhesive (200) in contact with the first contact surface (115).

Abstract: One or more ductile metal inserts may be selectively incorporated into articles of limited ductility, including metal castings and molded polymers. The inserts are positioned at joint locations for joining of the article to other articles using self-piercing riveting (SPR). The inserts are of suitable ductility, thickness and strength to receive and retain self-piercing rivets and enable a strong riveted joint between the article and a second article. In an embodiment the articles are magnesium alloy castings formed by any of sand casting, die casting and semi-solid metal casting. The chemical composition of the insert may be informed by the anticipated corrosive environment of the joint and the casting temperature of the magnesium alloy. For magnesium alloy castings which may be exposed to corrosive environments, aluminum alloy inserts are preferred.

Abstract: A system includes a cylinder control module that determines target numbers of cylinders of an engine to be activated during a period, determines, based on the target numbers and an engine speed, N predetermined sequences for controlling the cylinders of the engine during the period, determines whether a transition parameter is associated with at least one of the N predetermined subsequences and selectively adjusts at least one of the N predetermined subsequences based on the determination of whether a transition parameter is associated with at least two of the N predetermined sequences. The system further includes a cylinder actuator module that, during the period, controls the cylinders of the engine based on the N predetermined sequence and based on the at least one selectively adjusted predetermined sequences.

Abstract: A communications system and method of operating a vehicle multi-tainment unit (VMU) within that communications system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) establishing a connection between the VMU and a mobile device; (b) retrieving from a cache associated with the VMU user data previously provided by the mobile device; (c) prior to receiving current user data from the mobile device, receiving via the connection recently-used user data from the mobile device; (d) comparing the previously-provided user data and the received recently-used data; and (e) updating the previously-provided user data based on the comparison.