Abstract: A single-pass heavy-ion fusion system for power production from fusion reactions alone, power production that uses additional energy of fission reactions obtained by driving a sub-critical fission pile with the neutrons from fusion reactions, destroying high-level and/or long-lived radioactive waste by intense bombardment with fusion neutrons, or for the production of neutron beams for various applications includes a new arrangement of current multiplying processes that employs a multiplicity of isotopes to achieve the desired effect of distributing the task of amplifying the current among all the various processes, to relieve stress on any one process, and to increase the design margin for assured ICF (inertial confinement fusion) ignition for applications including but not restricted to the above list. The energy content and power of the ignition-driver pulses are greatly increased, thus increasing intensity of target heating and rendering reliable ignition readily attainable.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a facility for calibrating sensors of an autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a camera calibration target configured to be measured by and used for calibrating an optical camera of the AV; a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) calibration target configured to be measured by and used for calibrating a LiDAR transceiver of the AV; and a platform configured to allow the AV to drive onto and park on the platform. The camera calibration target and the LiDAR calibration target are positioned to be detectable by the optical camera and the LiDAR transceiver while the AV is parked on the platform. The platform is further configured to modify a lateral position, height, or orientation of the optical camera and the LiDAR transceiver relative to the camera calibration target and the LiDAR calibration target while the AV is parked on the platform.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors of an autonomous vehicle (AV); determining that a first sensor of the one or more sensors needs recalibration based on the sensor data. The first sensor being of a first sensor type. The method also includes sending a request to a remote management system indicating that one or more of the sensors of the AV need recalibration and a location of the AV; determining the presence of a service vehicle having a calibration target configured to calibrate sensors of the first sensor type; and initiating a calibration routine using the calibration target.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes one or more processors and one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media coupled to one or more of the processors. The one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media include instructions operable when executed by one or more of the processors to cause the system to perform operations including receiving service-facility data associated with a service facility that includes one or more service regions for servicing autonomous vehicles. Each of the one or more service regions is configured to charge an autonomous vehicle. The service facility data includes location information indicating a location of each of the one or more service regions; and availability information indicating an availability of each of the one or more service regions. The operations also include receiving vehicle data associated with a number of autonomous vehicles. The vehicle data includes a charge level of a respective autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may receive respective service center candidacy information from service center computers; determine that an autonomous vehicle requires service work; determine a pool of service centers that are capable of providing the service work for the autonomous vehicle; select, based at least on a reduction in a utilization of at least one resource, a service center from the pool of service centers; and provide, to the autonomous vehicle computing device associated with the autonomous vehicle, location information of the selected service center.

Abstract: Provided is a method of spatially referencing a plurality of images captured from a plurality of different locations within an indoor space by determining the location from which the plurality of images was captured. The method may include obtaining a plurality of distance-referenced panoramas of an indoor space. The distance-referenced panoramas may each include a plurality of distance-referenced images each captured from one position in the indoor space and at a different azimuth from the other distance-referenced images, a plurality of distance measurements, and orientation indicators each indicative of the azimuth of the corresponding one of the distance-referenced images. The method may further include determining the location of each of the distance-referenced panoramas based on the plurality of distance measurements and the orientation indicators and associating in memory the determined locations with the plurality of distance-referenced images captured from the determined location.

Abstract: Battery electrode compositions and methods of fabrication are provided that utilize composite particles. Each of the composite particles may comprise, for example, a high-capacity active material and a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix material. The active material may store and release ions during battery operation, and may exhibit (i) a specific capacity of at least 220 mAh/g as a cathode active material or (ii) a specific capacity of at least 400 mAh/g as an anode active material. The active material may be disposed in the pores of the scaffolding matrix material. According to various designs, each composite particle may exhibit at least one material property that changes from the center to the perimeter of the scaffolding matrix material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes a computing system receiving information from an autonomous vehicle (AV). Based on the received information, the system may identify a target objective, with an associated target destination, for the AV and determine that the AV is able to transport passengers while furthering the target objective. The system may receive multiple ride requests from ride requestors, respectively. Each of the ride requests is associated with an origination location and a destination location. The system may match the AV with one of the ride requests based on a location of the AV, the target destination of the target objective, and the origination location and destination location associated with the ride request. The system may instruct the AV to perform a transportation task from the origination location to the destination location associated with the ride request, and drive to the target destination after completing the transportation task.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing system may receive an indication of an impaired sensor component from a first autonomous vehicle. The system may identify a sensor type of the impaired sensor component and determine a suitable service center for servicing the sensor type based on one or more criteria. The system may identify a second autonomous vehicle. The second autonomous vehicle has a functional sensor component of the sensor type. The system may send instructions to the second autonomous vehicle to drive to a location of the first autonomous vehicle and share sensor data from the functional sensor component with the first autonomous vehicle. The first autonomous vehicle may be instructed to drive to the service center location using sensor data of the second autonomous vehicle. The second autonomous vehicle may be instructed to drive to the service center location with the first autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing system may generate a prediction of requests for autonomous vehicles in a fleet of collectively managed autonomous vehicles based on a current condition and a future event, the prediction including a predicted request level and a predicted duration of the request level. The system may receive status information from fleet vehicles and identify a vehicle in need of service. The system may receive status information from service centers and identify a service center to service the vehicle. The system may determine a time at which to service the vehicle at the identified service center based on the generated prediction of requests, schedule the vehicle for service at the identified service center at the determined time, and instruct the vehicle to drive to the service center to be serviced at the determined time. In particular embodiments, the prediction of requests may be generated using machine learning.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided comprising composite particles, with each composite particle comprising active material and a scaffolding matrix. The active material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. For certain active materials of interest, the storing and releasing of the ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix is provided as a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active material is disposed. In this way, the scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

Abstract: A compliant heating system includes a dynamic component including a heat exchanger; a pressure vessel shell encompassing at least a portion of the heat exchanger; and a compressive seal expansion that connects the dynamic component and the pressure vessel shell.

Abstract: An X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube includes a bearing configured to couple to an anode. The bearing includes a stationary member, a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube, and a support feature configured to minimize bending moment along a surface of the stationary member to reduce deflection of the stationary member relative to the rotary member due to radial loads during operation of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: A single-pass heavy-ion fusion system for power production from fusion reactions alone, power production that uses additional energy of fission reactions obtained by driving a sub-critical fission pile with the neutrons from fusion reactions, destroying high-level and/or long-lived radioactive waste by intense bombardment with fusion neutrons, or for the production of neutron beams for various applications includes a new arrangement of current multiplying processes that employs a multiplicity of isotopes to achieve the desired effect of distributing the task of amplifying the current among all the various processes, to relieve stress on any one process, and to increase the design margin for assured ICF (inertial confinement fusion) ignition for applications including but not restricted to the above list. The energy content and power of the ignition-driver pulses are greatly increased, thus increasing intensity of target heating and rendering reliable ignition readily attainable.

Abstract: In short, the invention provides a storage compartment containing a front door panel that can easily be opened in one fluid motion, and closed in one fluid motion; with the flexibility of being wider than would usually be possible with a functionality of this kind. The front door swings up and under the upper panel of the storage compartment and, when size requires, vertical supports are placed within the storage compartment to support the upper, horizontal panel. Because these support panels lie in the way of the front panel's operating motion, material has been removed from the front panel and support panels to allow them to coincide with one another. The method of guiding this operation, through the use of rotating, sliding pivot points is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-factor user authentication framework using asymmetric key includes a host device, a user agent, a gesture system, and an authentication system. The multiple factors include a user credential as well as a user gesture that indicates that the user is present. The user interacts with the user agent via the host device in order to obtain access to something for which user authentication is needed. The authentication system maintains the user credentials, which are provided to authenticate the user in response to the authentication system determining that the user is present (which can be determined in different manners, such as using a personal identification number (PIN), biometric information regarding the user, geographic location of the gesture system, etc.). The user agent, gesture system, and authentication system can be implemented on the same device (e.g., the host device), or alternatively implemented across one or more different devices.

Abstract: An electric machine comprising: a frame; and a rotor assembly comprising a shaft to which is mounted at least one bearing and at least one magnet; the frame comprising a bearing seat to which the bearing of the rotor assembly is mounted, and wherein the bearing seat extends axially beyond the bearing to surround the magnet, and the bearing seat comprises locating features for holding a position sensor assembly relative to the magnet.

Abstract: Provided is a method of spatially referencing a plurality of images captured from a plurality of different locations within an indoor space by determining the location from which the plurality of images was captured. The method may include obtaining a plurality of distance-referenced panoramas of an indoor space. The distance-referenced panoramas may each include a plurality of distance-referenced images each captured from one position in the indoor space and at a different azimuth from the other distance-referenced images, a plurality of distance measurements, and orientation indicators each indicative of the azimuth of the corresponding one of the distance-referenced images. The method may further include determining the location of each of the distance-referenced panoramas based on the plurality of distance measurements and the orientation indicators and associating in memory the determined locations with the plurality of distance-referenced images captured from the determined location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distributed antenna system for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency, RF, signals, wherein said antenna system comprises at least one elliptical waveguide which comprises a plurality of openings. The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a distributed antenna system of the aforementioned type.

Abstract: A battery electrode composition is provided that comprises composite particles. Each composite particle may comprise, for example, active fluoride material and a nanoporous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active fluoride material is disposed. The active fluoride material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. The storing and releasing of the ions may cause a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.