Abstract: A lithium ion battery comprising (i) at least one anode, (ii) at least one cathode containing a cathode active material selected from lithium ion containing transition metal compounds having a content of Manganese of from 50 to 100 wt.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition (A) containing at least one aprotic organic solvent and at least one compound of formula (I) wherein A+ is selected from Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+, and ammonium; is a bidentate radical derived from a (hetero)aromatic 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-diol, from a (hetero)aromatic 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-dicarboxylic acid or from a (hetero)aromatic 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-hydroxycarboxylic acid by abstracting the two H atoms of pairs of adjacent OH groups; and R1 and R2 are organic substituents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel distributed coaxial cable strain sensor that can measure a strain profile over the entire length of a cable. Individual strain sensing elements are constructed using Fabry-Perot interferometers, coaxial cable Bragg gratings, or other reflectometry-based sensing structures. By assembling three or more strain sensors together in a bundle, a coaxial cable shape sensing device can be constructed which is capable of accurate three dimensional position measurement.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus to improve the dynamic coherent length of a sweep velocity-locked laser pulse generator (SV-LLPG) in an all-electronic fashion. A digital SV-LLPG is disclosed with two operation modes, i.e., unidirectional and bidirectional sweep modes; self-adaptive and time-dependent loop parameters (gain and location of poles/zeros); and, self-adaptive initial input curve. High frequency locking architectures, both single-side band (SSB) modulation method and direct phase measurement method, are provided to suppress the linewidth, or improve the coherent length, of the swept laser. A combination of high and low frequency locking, or a combination of multiple architectures disclosed in this invention, is utilized to achieve a higher level of linewidth reduction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus to improve the dynamic coherent length of a sweep velocity-locked laser pulse generator (SV-LLPG) in an all-electronic fashion. A digital SV-LLPG is disclosed with two operation modes, i.e., unidirectional and bidirectional sweep modes; self-adaptive and time-dependent loop parameters (gain and location of poles/zeros); and, self-adaptive initial input curve. High frequency locking architectures, both single-side band (SSB) modulation method and direct phase measurement method, are provided to suppress the linewidth, or improve the coherent length, of the swept laser. A combination of high and low frequency locking, or a combination of multiple architectures disclosed in this invention, is utilized to achieve a higher level of linewidth reduction.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition (A) containing at least one aprotic organic solvent and at least one compound of formula (I) wherein A+ is selected from Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+, and ammonium; is a bidentate radical derived from a (hetero)aromatic 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-diol, from a (hetero)aromatic 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-dicarboxylic acid or from a (hetero)aromatic 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-hydroxycarboxylic acid by abstracting the two H atoms of pairs of adjacent OH groups; and R1 and R2 are organic substituents.

Abstract: A flexible, electrically conductive composite is disclosed that includes a plurality of particles of elastomeric material and a conductive material. The conductive material at least partially covers the plurality of particles of elastomeric material. A first portion of the composite has undergone a force that has deformed a first portion of the particles of elastomeric material and broken up the conductive coating material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel fiber optic sensing device using ultra-weak, terahertz-range reflector structures. A fiber optic sensor device for distributed measurements (strain/temperature) includes an optical fiber detection arm having an inner core extending along a length of the optical fiber, an outer cladding surrounding the inner core, and at least one ultra-weak, terahertz-range reflector structure. Each reflector structure is comprised of two or more ultra-weak range reflectors (gratings) written at a spacing corresponding to the terahertz range and formed along a length of the inner core of the optical fiber. A narrow bandwidth, tunable laser interrogation system interrogates the optical fiber and measures changes in reflections and interference patterns caused by physical changes in the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sweep velocity-locked laser pulse generator (SV-LLPG) controlled using a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) circuit. The SV-LLPG is utilized for the interrogation of sub-terahertz-range fiber structures for sensing applications that require real-time data collection with mm-level spatial resolution. A laser generates chirped laser pulses via injection current modulation and a DPLL circuit locks the optical frequency sweep velocity. A high-quality linearly chirped laser pulse with a frequency excursion of 117.69 GHz at optical communication bands using a distributed feedback laser is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel distributed coaxial cable strain sensor that can measure a strain profile over the entire length of a cable. Individual strain sensing elements are constructed using Fabry-Perot interferometers, coaxial cable Bragg gratings, or other reflectometry-based sensing structures. By assembling three or more strain sensors together in a bundle, a coaxial cable shape sensing device can be constructed which is capable of accurate three dimensional position measurement.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sweep velocity-locked laser pulse generator (SV-LLPG) controlled using a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) circuit. The SV-LLPG is utilized for the interrogation of sub-terahertz-range fiber structures for sensing applications that require real-time data collection with mm-level spatial resolution. A laser generates chirped laser pulses via injection current modulation and a DPLL circuit locks the optical frequency sweep velocity. A high-quality linearly chirped laser pulse with a frequency excursion of 117.69 GHz at optical communication bands using a distributed feedback laser is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel fiber optic sensing device using ultra-weak, terahertz-range reflector structures. A fiber optic sensor device for distributed measurements (strain/temperature) includes an optical fiber detection arm having an inner core extending along a length of the optical fiber, an outer cladding surrounding the inner core, and at least one ultra-weak, terahertz-range reflector structure. Each reflector structure is comprised of two or more ultra-weak range reflectors (gratings) written at a spacing corresponding to the terahertz range and formed along a length of the inner core of the optical fiber. A narrow bandwidth, tunable laser interrogation system interrogates the optical fiber and measures changes in reflections and interference patterns caused by physical changes in the optical fiber.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve system is disclosed that includes a matrix, a hydrophilic acceptor region a hydrophilic transfer region, and a hydrophobic gap between the acceptor region and the transfer region.

Abstract: The present invention employed a method to control electrical activity in a target area of an animal's body by administering transcranial focal stimulation to the target area to adjust activity to normal levels. An advanced automated control system would first detect the abnormal electrical activity using tripolar concentric ring electrodes and then provides transcranial focal electrical stimulation to the target area using noninvasive tripolar concentric ring electrode system in a closed-loop continuous feedback. The automated control system would be adaptable to include the use of therapeutic drugs, either non-continuously or continuously, as a more comprehensive treatment of the abnormal electric activity.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition (A) containing (i) at least one aprotic organic solvent, (ii) at least one conducting salt different from the at least one compound of formula (I), (iii) at least one compound of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are selected from C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C6-C14 aryl and C5-C14 heteroaryl and wherein R4 is different from each R1, R2, and R3, (iv) optionally at least one further additive.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for extending the service life of a battery source by fully utilizing the energy in batteries and/or providing higher energy reserve using multiple batteries. An universal battery bank consists of an ensemble of possibly heterogenous batteries all connected in series to provide a usable operational energy source. For a universal battery bank consists on N batteries, the minimum operational voltage for the individual batteries (Vmin) can be lowered to Vmin/N on average, thereby extending the time interval between battery replacements and draining the individual batteries more efficiently. To exploit this power supply that may vary over a wide voltage range, electronics are designed to monitor the individual batteries, guard against excessive voltage and current, and provide constant current sources and/or constant voltage sources for various appliances.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatically preparing transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples for examination by depositing extremely small samples onto a grid without need for a blotting step. A sample liquid droplet is formed at the end of a capillary, wherein a portion of the liquid is transferred to the TEM sample grid by contact. The excess volume in the liquid droplet is then retracted by an adjacent capillary. After a predetermined time interval, the retraction capillary is moved toward the drop of the sample to remove the excess volume. As compared to a conventional machine, where the blotting procedure can deform the structure of the molecule of interest, the present invention utilizes a very low shear rate for removal of the excess sample fluid.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic/ferroelectric heterostructure thin film is disclosed that exhibits significant magneto-electric coupling. The ferromagnetic/ferroelectric heterostructure thin film includes a) a base layer of silicon substrate, b) a first copper layer deposited on the silicon substrate, c) a first iron layer deposited on the copper layer, d) first aluminum layer deposited on the first iron layer, e) a polymer layer exhibiting ferroelectric properties deposited on the first aluminum layer, f) a second aluminum layer deposited on the polymer layer; g) a second iron layer deposited on the second aluminum layer, and h) a second copper layer deposited on the second iron layer.

Abstract: The present invention employed a method to control electrical activity in a target area of an animal's body by administering transcranial focal stimulation to the target area to adjust activity to normal levels. An advanced automated control system would first detect the abnormal electrical activity using tripolar concentric ring electrodes and then provides transcranial focal electrical stimulation to the target area using noninvasive tripolar concentric ring electrode system in a closed-loop continuous feedback. The automated control system would be adaptable to include the use of therapeutic drugs, either non-continuously or continuously, as a more comprehensive treatment of the abnormal electric activity.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic/ferroelectric heterostructure thin film is disclosed that exhibits significant magneto-electric coupling. The ferromagnetic/ferroelectric heterostructure thin film includes a) a base layer of silicon substrate, b) a first copper layer deposited on the silicon substrate, c) a first iron layer deposited on the copper layer, d) first aluminum layer deposited on the first iron layer, e) a polymer layer exhibiting ferroelectric properties deposited on the first aluminum layer, f) a second aluminum layer deposited on the polymer layer; g) a second iron layer deposited on the second aluminum layer, and h) a second copper layer deposited on the second iron layer.