Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit includes a battery system controller and battery packs. Each battery pack has battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control the state-of-charge of the cells. In an embodiment, the cells are lithium ion battery cells.

Abstract: A modular furniture system that comprises a first modular three-dimensional component having x, y, z dimensions of about 18 inches by about 18 inches by about 18 inches and a horizontal member, a second three-dimensional modular component having a horizontal member and arrangable with the first modular component to form modular furniture, and a connector that has a planar middle section with a first protruding section integral with a first side of the middle section and a second protruding section integral with a second side of the middle section. The first and second protruding sections protrude substantially perpendicular relative to the planar middle section. The connector is adapted to connect together the first and second modular components.