Abstract: A system that powers a wireless sensor mechanism from ambient sources without the need to replace a battery is disclosed. The present invention uses an energy harvesting mechanism built onto, for example, a substrate to recharge a rechargeable energy storage mechanism that is built on the same substrate. The energy storage mechanism provides power to a transmission/receiving mechanism and microprocessor that may also be arranged on said substrate. The energy-harvesting mechanism may be combined with a power management unit to enable efficient use and regulation of the harvested energy.

Abstract: A switching mode power supply (SNIPS) includes a rectifying unit transforming AC power input from outside to DC power, a main transformer transforming and outputting the rectified DC power, a pulse width modulation control unit controlling output voltage by applying a pulse signal to a primary winding of the main transformer, and a feedback control unit controlling an output signal of the pulse width modulation control unit by detecting output voltage of the main transformer, including: a first state transform unit, including: a second photo diode; and a second photo transistor included between an AC power input unit and the pulse width modulation control unit to form a photo coupler with the second photo diode, and a second state transform unit, including: a comparator connected to a secondary winding of the main transformer to apply the output voltage and reference voltage to an inverting terminal and a noninverting terminal, and compare the output voltage with the reference voltage and output the voltage t

Abstract: An electrochemical device is claimed and disclosed wherein certain embodiments have a cathode greater than about 4 ?m and less than about 200 ?m thick; a thin electrolyte less than about 10 ?m thick; and an anode less than about 30 ?m thick. Another claimed and disclosed electrochemical device includes a cathode greater than about 0.5 ?m and less than about 200 ?m thick; a thin electrolyte less than about 10 ?m thick; and an anode less than about 30 ?m thick, wherein the cathode is fabricated by a non-vapor phase deposition method. The electrochemical device may also include a substrate, a current collector, an anode current collector, encapsulation and a moderating layer.

Abstract: A method for making an electrochemical cell includes, for example, providing a cathode powder; and pressing the cathode powder at a pressure of more than 500 bar and less than 10000 bar, resulting in a pressed cathode body with a pressed porosity of more than 5 vol % and less than 60 vol %.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is claimed and disclosed wherein certain embodiments have a cathode greater than about 4 ?m and less than about 200 ?m thick; a thin electrolyte less than about 10 ?m thick; and an anode less than about 30 ?m thick. Another claimed and disclosed electrochemical device includes a cathode greater than about 0.5 ?m and less than about 200 ?m thick; a thin electrolyte less than about 10 ?m thick; and an anode less than about 30 ?m thick, wherein the cathode is fabricated by a non-vapor phase deposition method. A non-vacuum deposited cathode may be rechargeable or non-rechargeable. The cathode may be made of CFx (carbon fluoride) material, wherein, for example, 0<x<4. The electrochemical device may also include a substrate, a current collector, an anode current collector, encapsulation and a moderating layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal foil encapsulation of an electrochemical device. The metal foil encapsulation may also provide contact tabs for the electrochemical device. The present invention may also include a selectively conductive bonding layer between a contact and a cell structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal film encapsulation of an electrochemical device. The metal film encapsulation may provide contact tabs for the electrochemical device. The present invention may also include a selectively conductive bonding layer between a contact and a cell structure. The present invention may further include ways of providing heat and pressure resilience to the bonding layer and improving the robustness of the protection for the cell structure.

Abstract: Described herein is, for example, a battery or capacitor over voltage (overcharge) and under-voltage protection circuit, that, for example, is adapted to not draw current from the battery or capacitor to be charged unless charge energy is detected and to not charge an energy storage device when an over-charge condition is sensed. The protection circuit may, for example, not be turned on unless an over voltage condition is present. Incoming energy to the system can be shunted to ground via a shunt load of various types including resistive loads and active components such as a zener diode. In some embodiments, no switching of the inbound power is required. Within limits, no regulation of inbound power is needed. When inbound power is sufficient to charge the battery or capacitor, regulation can occur via the applied shunt regulator if overcharge voltage conditions exist. Either type of charge source, voltage or current, can be used to provide charge energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic connecting device, which is magnetically and electrically coupled to an external device via a communication-type magnetic connector and is configured to transfer operating power to the external device after checking the external device using communication when the external device is coupled to the connecting device, thus ensuring convenience and safety in use. The magnetic connecting device includes a plurality of power terminals magnetically coupled to a connector of an external device and configured to transfer power to the external device, and at least one communication terminal arranged adjacent to the plurality of power terminals and configured to come into contact with the connector of the external device and to transmit or receive data when the external device is coupled.

Abstract: A power tracking device for a power generation apparatus is provided. A multiplier generates a power level signal according to a current signal and a voltage signal both sensed from the output of the power generation apparatus. A sample-and-hold circuit samples the power level signal according to a sampling clock and generates a current level signal, a peak level signal, and a threshold level signal according to an update signal. A compare circuit compares the current, peak and threshold level signals to generate the update signal and a change signal. A converter performs pulse width modulation (PWM) to generate a PWM signal according to a control signal corresponding to the change signal and converts the output of the power generation apparatus to a load according to the PWM signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid-state lithium-ion thin-film electrolyte that, compared to the current state-of-the-art thin-film electrolyte, Lipon, exhibits an equal or larger electrochemical stability window (0-5.5 V vs. Li+/Li), an equal or smaller electronic conductivity (10?14 S/cm at 25° C.), the same ideal transference number for Li+ ions (t=1.000), and a 10× higher Li+ ion conductivity at ?40° C. Latter provides thin-film batteries (TFBs) with at least a 5× higher power performance at ?40° C. over the current state-of-the-art Lipon TFBs.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system to, for example, transmit and/or receive wireless signals is disclosed. The present invention uses, for example, electrically conductive surfaces within the energy device itself as a means of receiving and/or transmitting wireless communications signals. The surface may be an integral portion of the energy device, such as a charge collection surface within a battery or a capacitor that mainly provides the battery or a capacitor with a necessary function. In another embodiment of the invention the metallic or conductive surface is added to and specifically built into the energy device during manufacturing for the main purpose of receiving and/or transmitting wireless communications signals but is otherwise not necessary for the energy storage component.

Abstract: A charging device using magnets is disclosed. The charging device using magnets includes a sleeve and a charging pad. The sleeve includes a connector connected to the charging terminal of a mobile terminal, and a plurality of magnetic terminals connected to the connector. The charging pad includes magnetic electrodes which magnetically come into contact with the respective magnetic terminals of the sleeve, and supplies charging power to the magnetic terminals using the magnetic electrodes. The magnetic electrodes of the charging pad are configured such that magnetic forces are attenuated due to magnetic fields of coils or such that repulsive forces are generated between the magnetic electrodes of the charging pad and the magnetic terminals of the sleeve which come into contact with the magnetic electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal foil encapsulation of an electrochemical device. The metal foil encapsulation may also provide contact tabs for the electrochemical device. The present invention may also include a selectively conductive bonding layer between a contact and a cell structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a lithium orthophosphate sputter target or tile and resulting target material is presented. The target is fabricated from a pure lithium orthophosphate powder refined to a fine powder grain size. After steps of consolidation into a ceramic body, packaging and degassing, the ceramic body is densified to high density, and transformed into a stable single phase of pure lithium orthophosphate under sealed atmosphere. The lithium orthophosphate target is comprised of a single phase, and can preferably have a phase purity greater than 95% and a density of greater than 95%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to masking techniques and apparatuses, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for masking a flexible substrate to be coated with one or more material layers. The method involves flexing a substrate to provide a curved surface and providing a flexible sheet on the curved surface to properly apply a coating on the surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a substrate and a flexible sheet. An elastic material, such as a spring pin, or an off-axis roll-down bar may be used to create the tension used to flex the substrate and or flexible sheet.

Abstract: A switching mode power supply (SMPS) including: a first state transform unit, including: a second photo diode; and a second photo transistor included between an AC power input unit and the pulse width modulation control unit to form a photo coupler with the second photo diode, and a second state transform unit, including: a comparator connected to a secondary winding of the main transformer to apply the output voltage and reference voltage to an inverting terminal and a noninverting terminal, and compare the output voltage with the reference voltage and output the voltage through an output terminal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, compositions and methods of fabricating high performance thin-film batteries on metallic substrates, polymeric substrates, or doped or undoped silicon substrates by fabricating an appropriate barrier layer composed, for example, of barrier sublayers between the substrate and the battery part of the present invention thereby separating these two parts chemically during the entire battery fabrication process as well as during any operation and storage of the electrochemical apparatus during its entire lifetime. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention thin-film batteries fabricated onto a thin, flexible stainless steel foil substrate using an appropriate barrier layer that is composed of barrier sublayers have uncompromised electrochemical performance compared to thin-film batteries fabricated onto ceramic substrates when using a 700° C. post-deposition anneal process for a LiCoO2 positive cathode.

Abstract: A power tracking device for a power generation apparatus is provided. A multiplier generates a power level signal according to a current signal and a voltage signal both sensed from the output of the power generation apparatus. A sample-and-hold circuit samples the power level signal according to a sampling clock and generates a current level signal, a peak level signal, and a threshold level signal according to an update signal. A compare circuit compares the current, peak and threshold level signals to generate the update signal and a change signal. A converter performs pulse width modulation (PWM) to generate a PWM signal according to a control signal corresponding to the change signal and converts the output of the power generation apparatus to a load according to the PWM signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, compositions and methods of fabricating high performance thin-film batteries on metallic substrates, polymeric substrates, or doped or undoped silicon substrates by fabricating an appropriate barrier layer composed, for example, of barrier sublayers between the substrate and the battery part of the present invention thereby separating these two parts chemically during the entire battery fabrication process as well as during any operation and storage of the electrochemical apparatus during its entire lifetime. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention thin-film batteries fabricated onto a thin, flexible stainless steel foil substrate using an appropriate barrier layer that is composed of barrier sublayers have uncompromised electrochemical performance compared to thin-film batteries fabricated onto ceramic substrates when using a 700° C. post-deposition anneal process for a LiCoO2 positive cathode.