Abstract: An electrode assembly includes a current collector, a lithium metal foil, and an alloyed interface that chemically binds the current collector and the lithium metal foil. In certain variations, the alloyed interface includes an intermediate layer disposed between the current collector and the lithium metal foil, a portion of the current collector adjacent to the intermediate layer is alloyed with the indium, gallium, or alloy of indium and gallium defining the intermediate layer, and a portion of the lithium metal foil adjacent to the intermediate layer is alloyed with the indium, gallium, or alloy of indium and gallium defining the intermediate layer. In other variations, the alloyed interface includes a copper-lithium alloy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electrode assemblies for safe nondestructive testing in ambient conditions. In certain variations, the electrode assembly includes a current collector and a non-reactive lithium mimic material disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the current collector or embedded in the current collector. In other variations, the electrode assembly includes include a current collector, a lithium metal material disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the current collector or embedded in the current collector to form an electrode assembly, and a non-conductive pouch holding the electrode assembly.

Abstract: An electroactive material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The electroactive material includes a plurality of atomic layers and a plurality of cations disposed between the atomic layers. The plurality of atomic layers includes an atom selected from the group consisting of: silicon, germanium, boron, and combinations thereof. The plurality of cations is selected from the group consisting of: calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, nickel, potassium, sodium, and combinations thereof. A ratio of the cations to atoms that define the atomic layer may be less than about 1:2.

Abstract: An object detection and predictive motion warning system for a vehicle. The system may include a plurality of weight sensors configured to generate weight values in response to pressure being applied thereto and an object detection and predictive motion controller configured to detect an object within the vehicle and to predict a motion assessment for the object as function thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus including a battery cell includes an electrode stack. The electrode stack includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a separator disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The apparatus further includes an enclosure configured for encasing and mechanically protecting the electrode stack. The apparatus further includes an electrolyte. The apparatus further includes a thermally conductive and electrically insulated inert fill material located between the electrode stack and the enclosure configured for providing a thermally conductive connection between the electrode stack and the enclosure.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling alignment of a vehicle during parking that include obtaining sensor data via one or more sensors of a vehicle, as to passenger occupancy of the vehicle and as to a parking location for the vehicle; identifying, via a processor of the vehicle, which passenger seats of the vehicle are occupied, based on the sensor data; identifying, via the processor, the parking location based on the sensor data; and determining, via the processor, an offset for parking of the vehicle in the parking location, based at least in part on which passenger seats of the vehicle are occupied.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for vehicular computation management. The system includes, onboard a vehicle, electric control units (ECUs), a battery, a communication system, and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor energy consumption, operate the vehicle as a computational hub when the energy consumption is less than a threshold, including providing computational resources to an external node, determine whether the vehicle has excess energy and computational capacity when the energy consumption is equal to or greater than the threshold, including determining a usage of each of the ECUs and determining an energy consumption of tasks executing thereon, and operate the vehicle as a hybrid computational hub when the vehicle has excess energy and computational capacity, including providing excess computational capacity of the ECUs to the external node.

Abstract: Method of using a vehicle to alert to potential risks includes determining that a user of the vehicle will be absent; determining an estimated absence time; and sending an alert to authorities, via a control system, if the user does not return within the estimated absence time. The method may include receiving the estimated absence time from the user, or the control system of the vehicle determines the absence and the estimated absence time. The user may define the absence and input the estimated absence time through a centralized location, such that the alert is sent from the centralized location. Following expiration of the estimated absence time, detecting a pedestrian near the vehicle, and then playing a pre-recorded emergency message through speakers, such that the pedestrian is made aware of the pre-recorded emergency message. Vehicle lights/horn may operate to guide the user, possibly in decaying fashion.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying a scene for a vehicle towing a trailer. A method includes: determining, by the processor, an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle; determining, by the processor, a simulated trailer based on the angle of the trailer; determining, by the processor, a projection matrix based on the simulated trailer; generating, by the processor, scene data based on image data from a camera of the vehicle and image data from a camera of the trailer using the projection matrix; and generating, by the processor, display data to display the scene to an occupant of the vehicle based on the scene data.

Abstract: Presented are hybrid fixture assemblies with integrated additive manufactured features, methods for making/using such fixtures, and manufacturing systems equipped with such fixtures. A manufacturing fixture assembly includes a fixture support frame formed, at least in part, from a first material, and a fixture support shell formed, at least in part, from a second material distinct from the first material. The support frame, which seats on/mounts to a work surface, includes a skeletal substructure with multiple male connectors projecting therefrom. The skeletal substructure contains multiple first frame walls that are removably intermeshed with multiple second frame walls in a collapsible format. The support shell includes a support surface that holds a workpiece, an interface surface that abuts the skeletal substructure, and multiple female connectors that project from the interface surface.

Abstract: A cabinet includes a locking system having a cabinet body including a bottom wall, a top wall, a first side wall, a second, opposing side wall, and a third side wall connected to the bottom wall, the top wall, and between the first side wall and the second side wall. At least one door is pivotally mounted to the cabinet body. The at least one door, bottom wall, top wall, first side wall, second side wall, and third side wall define a storage volume. A lock mechanism including a latch and release element is pivotally mounted inside the storage volume. The latch and release element is accessible only in the storage volume. A lock opening extends through the cabinet body at the lock mechanism. A lock element is insertable through the lock opening. The lock element includes a latch receiver that is selectively engageable by the latch and release element.

Abstract: A method for detecting a contaminant in a vehicle coolant system during service includes contacting a chromophore impregnated strip and a heat transfer fluid sample, where the chromophore impregnated strip includes a complexing agent selected to form a complex with the contaminant that causes a color change in the chromophore impregnated strip and thereby indicates the presence of the contaminant in the heat transfer fluid sample.

Abstract: A vehicle, and a system and method for operating the vehicle. The system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor obtains a detection set related to an object at a range from the vehicle. The processor is configured to select a convolution path for the detection set based on a range of the object, wherein the convolution path includes one or more convolutional layers and a number of the one or more convolutional layers is dependent on the range of the object, apply the one or more convolutional layers of the selected convolution path to the detection set to generate a filtered data set, and operate the vehicle with respect to the object using the filtered data set.

Abstract: A propulsion control system has an electric motor configured to generate an axle torque in response to a final torque command, and has a motor constraint that specifies a maximum torque. A motor controller is configured to generate the final torque command in response to an intermediate torque command and a distributed power limit command. An open-loop function in supervisory controller is configured to calculate an initial torque command vector in response to a driver torque command, calculate an intended operating vector by mapping the initial torque command vector into a multidimensional power space, generate the intermediate torque command by clipping the intended operating vector in response to the motor constraint, generate a constrained command vector by clipping the intended operating vector in response to the motor constraint and a plurality of energy storage constraints, and generate the distributed power limit command in response to the constrained command vector.

Abstract: A calibration pipeline for 6DoF alignment parameters for an autonomous vehicle includes an automated driving controller instructed to receive inertial measurement unit (IMU) poses and final radar poses and determine smoothened IMU poses from the IMU poses and smoothened final radar poses from the final radar poses. The automated driving controller aligns the smoothened IMU poses and the smoothened final radar poses with one another to create a plurality of radar-IMU A, B relative pose pairs. The automated riving controller determines a solution yielding a threshold number of inliers of further filtered radar-IMU A, B relative pose pairs, randomly samples the further filtered radar-IMU A, B relative pose pairs with replacements several times to determine a stream of filtered radar-IMU A, B relative pose pairs, and solves for a solution X for the stream of filtered radar-IMU A, B relative pose pairs.

Abstract: A method of notifying an owner of a lost item in a vehicle having a vehicle compartment is provided. The method comprises providing at least one sensor to sense the lost item in the vehicle compartment. The method further comprises sensing the lost item on a point relative to a spherical coordinate system to define a sensed item data and determining a position of the lost item in cartesian coordinates based on the sensed item data to define a position data. The method further comprises translating the sensed item data and the position data for visualization of the lost item to define an item image of the lost item relative to the vehicle compartment, and updating an inventory list of lost objects to include the lost item with the item image. The method further comprises identifying the owner of the lost item by way of a perception algorithm, providing notification to the owner of the lost item, and providing viewable access of the item image such that the image is viewed by the owner of the lost item.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system having a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to estimate a rate of change of a hitch angle between a trailer and vehicle, the estimated rate of change of the hitch angle being based on a turn angle for a plurality of rear wheels of the vehicle as well as a speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery cathode includes: a current collector; and a coating applied to the current collector, the coating including: conductive carbon; polyvinylidene fluoride binder polymer; acid-functionalized dispersant polymer; and electrochemically active layered metal oxide.

Abstract: A compressor system includes a compressor housing including an inlet opening and a diffuser outlet, the compressor housing includes a first recirculation passage extending from the diffuser outlet to a mounting face of the compressor housing. The compressor housing defines a cavity that receives a compressor wheel. An inlet adapter is mounted to the mounting face of the compressor housing and the inlet adapter includes a second recirculation passage in communication with the first recirculation passage in the compressor housing and with a compressor air inlet passage of the inlet adapter. A recirculation valve is mounted to the inlet adapter and is disposed in communication with the second recirculation passage for providing a selective connection of the first recirculation passage to the compressor air inlet passage.

Abstract: An antenna system operates in a hybrid coplanar waveguide and rectangular waveguide mode. A slot array with a conductive layer is disposed on a substrate and defines a coplanar waveguide joining a number of side slots arranged in a line forming the slot array. Another substrate is spaced apart from the substrate and a ground plane is defined thereon. A defined volume waveguide is disposed between the substrates. The array is configured to radiate a radiation pattern in a hybrid mode that results from a combination of the slot array and the defined volume waveguide. The side slots may be elliptical in shape for side lobe level reduction.

Abstract: A method for adapting a usage level of a battery pack includes measuring cell sense data for each respective battery cell using a cell sense circuit, the cell sense data including a cell voltage, current, and temperature. The method includes processing the cell sense data, for each respective battery cell, through multiple battery state functions of a controller to generate numeric cell degradation values (CDVs). The battery state functions are calibrated relationships of the cell sense data to predetermined battery fault conditions. Thereafter, the method includes automatically adapting the usage level of the battery pack during operation of the battery pack, via the controller, based on the numeric CDVs. An electric powertrain system includes the battery pack, cell sense circuit, a rotary electric machine, and a controller configured to execute the above method.

Abstract: A battery includes positive and negative current collectors and a plurality of bipolar electrodes arranged in a stack between the positive and negative current collectors. The positive and negative current collectors and the stack of the plurality of bipolar electrodes are folded in an S-shape.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a trip of a user in a vehicle. A method includes: receiving by a processor of a user device, device scan data from one or more communication enabled devices; determining, by the processor, whether the devices listed in the device scan data is a vehicle device; in response to the determining, identifying, by the processor, the vehicle device as a found device; determining, by the processor, whether the found device is listed in a known device list; and generating, by the processor, at least one of a trip start signal and a trip end signal based on whether the found device is listed in the known device list.

Abstract: A system and method of vibration and audible noise reduction in a LiDAR resonator includes a spring fork mechanism including multiple spring forks. Each spring fork includes two tines. The first tine of a first and second spring fork include a mounted optical module to transmit a light pulse and receive a reflection of the light pulse. The second tine of the first and second spring forks include a mounted counterweight having a mass and center of gravity equal to a mass and center of gravity of the mounted optical module. To reduce or eliminate longitudinal vibrations each tine includes a first section and a second section, the first section attached to the second section by a U-shaped section.

Abstract: A system for managing communication between a vehicle and a broker module includes a telematics unit connected to the vehicle. The telematics unit is configured to carry out wireless data communications according to a publish-subscribe messaging protocol. A command unit is in communication with the telematics unit, the command unit having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The telematics unit is configured to establish a network connection with the broker module. The command unit is adapted to create a dynamic retry delay process for the network connection by varying a connection retry delay time based on a plurality of failure categories and an operation mode of the vehicle. The plurality of failure categories each corresponds to a respective failure in the network connection.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery pack via an offboard energy source uses an interleaved boost converter and closed-loop control. The energy source outputs a charging current via a DC charge port during a direct current fast-charging (DCFC) process. A controller detects a voltage disparity condition in which a voltage capability of the battery pack exceeds a voltage capability of the energy source. In response to this condition, a rise of the charging current over time is recorded as a current trajectory and an open-loop equivalent time constant is extracted from the current trajectory. A time constant of the PI control block is set substantially equal to the equivalent time constant. The PIM is controlled in closed-loop using proportional-integral control. The charging current is controlled in a continuous current conduction mode during the DCFC process.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, and a separating layer disposed therebetween. The first porous electrode includes an electrolyte intermingled with a positive electroactive material represented by: LiM1xM2yM3zM4(1?x?y?z)O2 where M1 include nickel (Ni) and M2, M3, and M4 are transition metals independently selected from the group consisting of: manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), and combinations thereof and where 0.8?x?1, 0?y?1, and 0?z?1. The second porous electrode includes the electrolyte intermingled with a silicon-based negative electroactive material. The electrolyte includes greater than or equal to about 0.5 wt. % to less than or equal to about 2 wt. % of an electrolyte additive including (2-cyanoethyl)triethoxysilane (TEOSCN). The electrolyte also includes a lithium-containing salt and a solvent mixture including ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) in mass ratio of about 3:7.

Abstract: A system for use with a direct current fast-charging (DCFC) station includes a controller and battery system. The battery system includes first and second battery packs, and first, second, and third switches. The switches have ON/OFF conductive states commanded by the controller to connect the battery packs in a parallel-connected (P-connected) or series-connected (S-connected) configuration. An electric powertrain with one or more electric machines is powered via the battery system. First and second charge ports of the system are connectable to the station via a corresponding charging cable. The first charge port receives a low or high charging voltage from the station. The second charge port receives a low charging voltage. When the station can supply the high charging voltage to the first charge port, the controller establishes the S-connected configuration via the switches, and thereafter charges the battery system solely via the first charge port.

Abstract: A system for managing vehicle body and wheel motion control with a dual clutch differential includes sensors and actuators disposed on the vehicle, the sensors measuring real-time static and dynamic data and the actuators altering static and dynamic behavior of the motor vehicle. A control module executes program code portions stored in memory. The program code portions receive the real-time static and dynamic data; selectively prioritize torque output from a prime mover of the vehicle through the differential to driven wheels of the vehicle to control a body and the driven wheels; model and estimate clutch torque for each clutch of the dual clutch differential; model and estimate a joint clutch torque, a tire force, and corner torque; and generate a torque output for each clutch of the dual clutch differential that is selected to maintain one or more of body control, wheel control, and stability of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A system of controlling operation of a vehicle includes one or more sensors operatively connected to the vehicle. The sensors are configured to obtain respective data of a scene and include a radar unit. A command unit is adapted to receive the respective data and includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is configured to determine an orientation angle of a pedestrian in the scene, a Doppler frequency of the pedestrian and a distance of the pedestrian from a border of a road, based in part on the respective data. The orientation angle is based on a heading of the pedestrian relative to a direction of a road. The command unit is configured to designate a status of the pedestrian as either crossing or not crossing based on the distance, the orientation angle and the Doppler frequency of the pedestrian.

Abstract: A system of controlling operation of a vehicle includes a lidar unit and a radar unit configured to obtain measured lidar datapoints and a measured radar signal, respectively. A command unit is adapted to receive the measured lidar datapoints and the measured radar signal, the command unit including a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is configured to identify respective objects in the measured lidar datapoints and assign a respective radar reflection intensity to the measured lidar datapoints in the respective objects. A synthetic radar signal is generated based in part on the radar reflection intensity. The command unit is configured to obtain an enhanced radar signal by adjusting the measured radar signal based on the synthetic radar reference signal.

Abstract: An antenna system operates in a hybrid coplanar waveguide and rectangular waveguide mode. A slot array with a conductive layer is disposed on a substrate and defines a coplanar waveguide joining a number of side slots arranged in a line forming the slot array. Another substrate is spaced apart from the substrate and a ground plane is defined thereon. A defined volume waveguide is disposed between the substrates. The array is configured to radiate a radiation pattern in a hybrid mode that results from a combination of the slot array and the defined volume waveguide. The side slots may be elliptical in shape for side lobe level reduction.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided that include: sensors configured to obtain sensor data for a vehicle having both friction braking and regenerative braking capabilities and coupled to a trailer, the sensor data including: friction braking data as to a vehicle friction braking force for the vehicle; and regenerative braking sensor data as to a vehicle regenerative braking force for the vehicle; and a processor coupled to the sensors and configured to at least facilitate controlling braking of the trailer by providing trailer braking force, via instructions provided by the processor, based on both the friction braking data and the regenerative braking sensor data, with a sensitivity toward the vehicle regenerative braking force such that the trailer braking force is affected differently by the vehicle regenerative braking force versus the vehicle friction braking force.

Abstract: An augmented reality system operable to provide passengers with a personalized augmented reality environment and experience. The augmented reality system may select the augmented reality environment according to a plurality of augmented reality themes, with the passengers being enabled to personalize their traveling experience and/or to interact with virtual objects to generate virtual commands suitable for use in implementing real control of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Presented are electric motors and apparatuses thereof for discharging an electric charge buildup on the rotor. In an embodiment, an electric motor apparatus includes a case, a stator arranged within the case, a rotor, a motor shaft extending longitudinally through the rotor to include an axial end, a grounding brush having an outer surface and an elliptical surface, and a spring including one portion maintaining slidable contact with the case and another portion coupled to an outer surface of the brush, the elliptical surface attached to the axial end of the motor shaft for causing a current flow via the brush through the case, which can act as system ground, for discharging an electric charge buildup on the stator due to a parasitic capacitance between the stator and rotor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting a blind spot of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, head position data indicating a position of a head of a driver of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, pillar position data associated with at least one pillar of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, at least one angle based on the head position data and the pillar position data; determining, by the processor, at least one blind spot area based on the at least one angle; detecting, by the processor, at least one object within the at least one blind spot area; and generating at least one of notification data, decision data, and control data based on the at least one object.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell may include a first electrode that includes a positive electroactive material, a second electrode that includes a negative electroactive material and a polyacrylate binder, and a separating layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The polyacrylate binder has a molecular weight greater than or equal to about 250,000 mol/g to less than or equal to about 500,000 mol/g. The second electrode is prepared by disposing an electrode forming slurry having a temperature greater than or equal to about 4° C. to less than or equal to about 15° C. one or near a surface of a current collector. The electrode forming slurry includes the negative electroactive material and the polyacrylate binder. The negative electroactive material can be a silicon-containing material.

Abstract: A lifting system includes a top plate, a bottom plate and N pairs of hinged plates. The N pairs of hinged plates are connected by 2N pairs of hinges to N sides of the top plate and the bottom plate, where N is an integer greater than 2. A bladder is arranged between the top plate and the bottom plate and between inner edges of the N pairs of hinged plates.

Abstract: A method of forming a shaped steel object is provided. The method includes cutting a blank from an alloy composition including 0.05-0.5 wt. % carbon, 4-12 wt. % manganese, 1-8 wt. % aluminum, 0-0.4 wt. % vanadium, and a remainder balance of iron. The method also includes heating the blank until the blank is austenitized to form a heated blank, transferring the heated blank to a press, forming the heating blank into a predetermined shape to form a stamped object, and decreasing the temperature of the stamped object to a temperature between a martensite start (Ms) temperature of the alloy composition and a martensite final (Mf) temperature of the alloy composition to form a shaped steel object comprising martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: A power line communication (PLC) system for a vehicle is contemplated. The system may include a plurality of power lines configured to connect at least a first node and a second node to negative and positive terminals of a vehicle battery. The system may include a filter connected to the power lines. The filter may be configured to attract a first portion of a PLC signal to the negative terminal prior to the first portion reaching the second node and to permit a second portion of the PLC signal to continue transmission to the second node.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle towing a trailer. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more sensors onboard a vehicle are configured to provide sensor data, and a processor onboard the vehicle is configured to at least facilitate: monitoring a trailer sway of the trailer using the sensor data, based on one or more parameters of the sensor data representing the trailer sway and application of a band-pass filter to the one or more parameters; and mitigating the trailer sway, via instructions provided by the processor to one or more braking systems of the vehicle, the trailer, or both, when it is determined that the trailer sway of the trailer is sufficient to warrant mitigation based on the one or more parameters of the sensor data representing the trailer sway and the application of the band-pass filter to the one or more parameters.

Abstract: Presented are oleophilic surface treatments for electric machines, methods for making/using such electric machines, and vehicles employing traction motors having stator windings with oleophilic treatments on select surfaces. An electric machine includes an outer housing with a direct-cooling thermal management system fluidly connected to the housing to circulate thereto a coolant fluid. A stator assembly, which is attached to the housing, includes a stator core with one or more electromagnetic windings mounted to the stator core. A rotor assembly is movably mounted to the hosing adjacent the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor core with one or more magnets mounted to the rotor core spaced, e.g., across an air gap, from the winding(s). Select components of the stator assembly have a target surface with an oleophilic surface treatment that enlarges the target surface's wetted area and increases a coolant mass of the coolant fluid contacting the target surface.