Abstract: Electrolyte formulations for lithium-ion batteries are disclosed that enable high-voltage operation, improved cycle life, reduced impedance, and enhanced safety. The formulations comprise an aprotic organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an epoxide functionalized organic compound, and may further include additives such as organosulfur compounds, alkyl nitriles, fluorinated aliphatic esters, cyclic carbonates, partially fluorinated phenyl phosphate esters, and fluorinated cyclic phosphazenes. These components synergistically stabilize the cathode electrolyte interface (CEI), mitigate oxidative decomposition at elevated voltages, and impart flame-retardant properties. Electrochemical energy storage devices incorporating these formulations exhibit superior performance under high-voltage and high-temperature conditions, making them suitable for applications such as electric vehicles, aerospace systems, and grid storage.

Abstract: A method for recording a custodial chain and identifying anomalies in the chain; said method comprising defining or identifying a first element and assigning a first element identifier to it; associating the first element identifier physically with the first element; defining or identifying at least a second element and assigning a second element identifier to it; associating the second element identifier physically with the second element; aggregating the at least first element and second element physically as an aggregated element and assigning an aggregated element identifier to it; defining an aggregated element record which includes the aggregated element identifier and the at least first element identifier and the at least second element identifier; recording the identifiers as records in a database.

Abstract: A method for recording a custodial chain and identifying anomalies in the chain; said method comprising defining or identifying a first element and assigning a first element identifier to it; associating the first element identifier physically with the first element; defining or identifying at least a second element and assigning a second element identifier to it; associating the second element identifier physically with the second element; aggregating the at least first element and second element physically as an aggregated element and assigning an aggregated element identifier to it; defining an aggregated element record which includes the aggregated element identifier and the at least first element identifier and the at least second element identifier; recording the identifiers as records in a database.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a forming tool. The forming tool may include at least one die having a perimeter wall and a profile panel. At least a portion of the die may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. For instance, the profile panel may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process or the profile panel and additional portions of the die, such as the perimeter wall, may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method of uniquely identifying an item, the item being a member of a batch of nominally identical items. Each item is characterised by variability within the batch with respect to at least one inherent characteristic of the item. The at least one inherent characteristic of the item arises from a material or process used in manufacture of the item. The method includes scanning each item at a point of manufacture with respect to the at least one inherent characteristic. Data is acquired on the at least one inherent characteristic sufficient to uniquely distinguish the item from other items of the batch.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described to generate amino acid sequences of target proteins based on amino acid sequences of template proteins using machine learning techniques. The amino acid sequences of the target proteins can be generated based on data that constrains the modifications that can be made to the amino acid sequences of the template proteins. In illustrative examples, the template proteins can include antibodies produced by a non-human mammal that bind to an antigen and the target proteins can correspond to human antibodies with a region having at least a threshold amount of identity with the binding region of the template antibody. Generative adversarial networks can be used to produce the amino acid sequences of the target proteins.

Abstract: An access control system which relies at least in part on a non-networked path for permitting an entity access to a secured location; the entity identified by the system by means of a unique entity identifier accorded the entity; entry to said secured location secured by a barrier; said barrier identified by the system by means of a unique barrier identifier accorded the barrier; said system including a local access unit located local to the barrier; said system including a barrier controller for actuation of the barrier; said local access unit issuing an open signal to the barrier controller whereby the barrier permits the entity access to the secured location if and only if data contained in a token communicated from an un-trusted communications device to the local access unit is verified by the local access unit with respect to at least a first parameter by the local access unit.

Abstract: A method for recording a custodial chain and identifying anomalies in the chain; said method comprising defining or identifying a first element and assigning a first element identifier to it; associating the first element identifier physically with the first element; defining or identifying at least a second element and assigning a second element identifier to it; associating the second element identifier physically with the second element; aggregating the at least first element and second element physically as an aggregated element and assigning an aggregated element identifier to it; defining an aggregated element record which includes the aggregated element identifier and the at least first element identifier and the at least second element identifier; recording the identifiers as records in a database.

Abstract: A method for recording a custodial chain and identifying anomalies in the chain; said method comprising defining or identifying a first element and assigning a first element identifier to it; associating the first element identifier physically with the first element; defining or identifying at least a second element and assigning a second element identifier to it; associating the second element identifier physically with the second element; aggregating the at least first element and second element physically as an aggregated element and assigning an aggregated element identifier to it; defining an aggregated element record which includes the aggregated element identifier and the at least first element identifier and the at least second element identifier; recording the identifiers as records in a database.

Abstract: An access control system which relies at least in part on a non-networked path for permitting an entity access to a secured location; the entity identified by the system by means of a unique entity identifier accorded the entity; entry to said secured location secured by a barrier; said barrier identified by the system by means of a unique barrier identifier accorded the barrier; said system including a local access unit located local to the barrier; said system including a barrier controller for actuation of the barrier; said local access unit issuing an open signal to the barrier controller whereby the barrier permits the entity access to the secured location if and only if data contained in a token communicated from an un-trusted communications device to the local access unit is verified by the local access unit with respect to at least a first parameter by the local access unit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing or tracking assets in a geographical area. One method includes providing a plurality of travel routes to a plurality of assets located in a geographical area, wherein each of the plurality of travel routes indicates a route along which a corresponding asset of the plurality of assets is to travel, and wherein the plurality of travel routes are based on an analysis of travel history of one or more of the plurality of assets. The method also includes receiving a request from a client device to travel to a destination in the geographical area. The method further includes determining, by one or more computer processors, one or more travel routes of the plurality of travel routes to the destination, wherein the one or more travel routes use different assets to travel to the destination. The method also includes providing the one or more travel routes to the client device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing or tracking assets in a geographical area. One method includes receiving one or more first messages from a plurality of assets on one or more first channels of a plurality of channels. The one or more first messages may indicate live geographical locations of the plurality of assets located in a geographical area. The method also includes displaying, via a graphical user interface, the live geographical locations of the plurality of assets on a map of the geographical area. The method further includes receiving on a second channel a message indicating a request from a first user device to travel to a destination. The method further includes determining one or more travel routes to the destination. The one or more travel routes may use different assets to transport the first user device to the destination.

Abstract: A method for recording a custodial chain and identifying anomalies in the chain; said method comprising defining or identifying a first element and assigning a first element identifier to it; associating the first element identifier physically with the first element; defining or identifying at least a second element and assigning a second element identifier to it; associating the second element identifier physically with the second element; aggregating the at least first element and second element physically as an aggregated element and assigning an aggregated element identifier to it; defining an aggregated element record which includes the aggregated element identifier and the at least first element identifier and the at least second element identifier; recording the identifiers as records in a database.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing or tracking assets in a geographical area. One method includes receiving one or more first messages from a plurality of assets on one or more first channels of a plurality of channels. The one or more first messages may indicate live geographical locations of the plurality of assets located in a geographical area. The method also includes displaying, via a graphical user interface, the live geographical locations of the plurality of assets on a map of the geographical area. The method further includes receiving on a second channel a message indicating a request from a first user device to travel to a destination. The method further includes determining one or more travel routes to the destination. The one or more travel routes may use different assets to transport the first user device to the destination.

Abstract: A configurable furniture system and method are disclosed. The system and method include one or more panels, each of the panels having one or more working edges. One or more hinges successively connect the panels together at the working edges. The system is able to convert from a folded configuration into a functional configuration, which may be a chair, desk, lounge, table or stool.

Abstract: A slouch rear seat includes a seat bottom, a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat bottom, and a driver for moving the slouch rear seat between a design position and a fully forward position. Characteristically, the seat bottom moves from the design position to the fully forward position by the seat bottom moving upward and forward in a manner that avoids a vehicle occupant contacting the top of the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A configurable furniture system and method are disclosed. The system and method include one or more panels, each of the panels having one or more working edges. One or more hinges successively connect the panels together at the working edges. The system is able to convert from a folded configuration into a functional configuration, which may be a chair, desk, lounge, table or stool.