Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to battery cells, and more particularly, liquid electrolyte solvents, diluents, and designs for lithium-ion battery cells.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to battery cells, and more particularly, liquid electrolyte solvents, diluents, and designs for lithium-ion battery cells.

Abstract: Liquid electrolytes for electrochemical cells with silicon-based anodes are composed of an aprotic solvent, an ionic liquid, a lithium salt, and 8 mol % to 30 mol % hydrofluoroether. A molar ratio of the hydrofluoroether to the lithium salt is 0.22:1 to 0.83:1. The liquid electrolytes achieve at least a 50% improvement in cycle life over conventional electrolytes, extend capacity retention and delay increases in internal resistance.

Abstract: Liquid electrolytes for a lithium metal battery comprise an aprotic solvent, an ionic liquid, a lithium salt, 8 mol % to 30 mol % hydrofluoroether and up to 5 mol % additives. A molar ratio of the hydrofluoroether to the lithium salt is 0.22:1 to 0.83:1. The liquid electrolytes achieve at least a 50% improvement in cycle life over conventional electrolytes, extend capacity retention and delay increases in internal resistance.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a cathode having a cathode current collector and a cathode active material, an anode having an anode current collector, lithium metal seed, and an anode cap on the lithium metal seed, a liquid electrolyte, a separator between the cathode active material and the anode active material, and a polymer electrolyte lamination layer bonding the anode to the separator. The polymer electrolyte lamination layer is formulated using a crosslinked polymer, a lithium salt, a plasticizer, and an anode additive. The anode cap and the polymer electrolyte lamination layer work together to produce densely plated lithium metal between the lithium metal seed and the anode cap with little or no external pressure.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a cathode having a cathode current collector and a cathode active material, an anode having an anode current collector, lithium metal seed, and an anode cap on the lithium metal seed, a liquid electrolyte, a separator between the cathode active material and the anode active material, and a polymer electrolyte lamination layer bonding the anode to the separator. The polymer electrolyte lamination layer is formulated using a crosslinked polymer, a lithium salt, a plasticizer, and an anode additive. The anode cap and the polymer electrolyte lamination layer work together to produce densely plated lithium metal between the lithium metal seed and the anode cap with little or no external pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of estimating an input count rate of a radiation pulse detector from a detector signal where some individual signal pulses making up the detector signal are closely spaced in time less than a minimum reliable detection gap. In one aspect, the individual signal pulses are detected using a detection algorithm and a plurality of interval start times are defined each interposed with at least one of the detected individual signal pulse arrival times, each interval start time being later by at least the minimum reliable detection gap than a corresponding most recent detected individual signal pulse arrival time. A corresponding plurality of individual signal pulse arrival intervals are calculated between each of the interval start times and a corresponding next detected individual signal pulse arrival time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of estimating an input count rate of a radiation pulse detector from a detector signal where some individual signal pulses making up the detector signal are closely spaced in time less than a minimum reliable detection gap (104,105; tc, td). In one aspect, the individual signal pulses are detected using a detection algorithm and a plurality of interval start times (sk) are defined each interposed with at least one of the detected individual signal pulse arrival times (tk), each interval start time (sk) being later by at least the minimum reliable detection gap than a corresponding most recent detected individual signal pulse arrival time (tk?1). A corresponding plurality of individual signal pulse arrival intervals are calculated between each of the interval start times (sk) and a corresponding next detected individual signal pulse arrival time (tk).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resolving individual signals in detector output data are disclosed. One inventive aspect includes a processing circuit configured to receive detector output data wherein the detector output data may be stepped data or non-stepped data; transform the detector output data to produce stepped data wherein the detector output data is received as non-stepped data; detect at least one signal at least partially based on the stepped data; and estimate a parameter associated with the signal, wherein estimating the parameter may preferably comprise estimating a signal energy or signal time of arrival associated with the signal.

Abstract: Liquid electrolytes for a lithium metal battery comprise an aprotic solvent, an ionic liquid, a lithium salt, 8 mol % to 30 mol % hydrofluoroether and up to 5 mol % additives. A molar ratio of the hydrofluoroether to the lithium salt is 0.22:1 to 0.83:1. The liquid electrolytes achieve at least a 50% improvement in cycle life over conventional electrolytes, extend capacity retention and delay increases in internal resistance.

Abstract: A device and method for material characterization are provided. In one aspect, the method includes detecting packets of radiation emanating from within or passing through one or more items of freight or baggage as a result of irradiation by incident radiation, using a plurality of detectors, each of the detectors being configured to produce an electrical pulse caused by the detected packets having a characteristic size or shape dependent on an energy of the packets. The method further includes processing each of the electrical pulses using one or more digital processors to determine the characteristic size or shape, generating a screening detector energy spectrum for each of the detectors of the energies of the packets detected, and measuring an effective atomic number Z of an unknown material associated with the one or more items of freight or baggage based on the screening detector energy spectra in comparison with calibration measurements.

Abstract: A device and method for material characterization are provided. In one aspect, the method includes detecting packets of radiation emanating from within or passing through one or more items of freight or baggage as a result of irradiation by incident radiation, using a plurality of detectors, each of the detectors being configured to produce an electrical pulse caused by the detected packets having a characteristic size or shape dependent on an energy of the packets. The method further includes processing each of the electrical pulses using one or more digital processors to determine the characteristic size or shape, generating a screening detector energy spectrum for each of the detectors of the energies of the packets detected, and measuring an effective atomic number Z of an unknown material associated with the one or more items of freight or baggage based on the screening detector energy spectra in comparison with calibration measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resolving individual signals in detector output data by obtaining an impulse response characterizing a detector. The method further includes obtaining digitized detector output data in a form of a digital time series and making estimates of a signal temporal position of at least one signal present in the detector output data. The method further includes forming a mathematical model based on the digital time series and determining an amplitude of the at least one signal indicative of an event based on the mathematical model.

Abstract: A method for locating a pulse in detector output data, comprising fitting one or more functions to the detector output data; and determining a location and an amplitude of a peak of said pulse from said one or more functions. The one or more functions may be are a function of time.

Abstract: A land area can be improved to support a geotextile having nonwoven top and bottom layers, and a geogrid core. The top layer defining at least one parking space, such that land areas of various sizes can be covered to form parking lots with rain-draining features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resolving individual signals in detector output data are disclosed. One inventive aspect includes a processing circuit configured to receive detector output data wherein the detector output data may be stepped data or non-stepped data; transform the detector output data to produce stepped data wherein the detector output data is received as non-stepped data; detect at least one signal at least partially based on the stepped data; and estimate a parameter associated with the signal, wherein estimating the parameter may preferably comprise estimating a signal energy or signal time of arrival associated with the signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer-implemented system and method of identifying human settlements in imagery comprising receiving an image, segmenting the image into a plurality of superpixels, analyzing statistical parameters of at least two or more of the plurality of superpixels, where the statistical parameters includes entropy data, and identifying groups of superpixels having at least a predetermined cluster density and a predetermined entropy. Some embodiments further include clipping the image to only include the identified groups of superpixels having the predetermined cluster density and entropy, analyzing statistical parameters of the clipped image, analyzing geometric factors of the clipped image, determining one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the superpixels, and identifying a shape and area of the one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the clipped image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for borehole logging, the method comprising collecting detector output data from a radiation detector of a borehole logging tool, and resolving individual signals in the detector output data by (i) determining a signal form of signals present in the data, (ii) making parameter estimates of one or more parameters of the signals, wherein the one or more parameters comprise at least a signal temporal position, and (iii) determining the energy of each of the signals from at least the signal form and the parameter estimates. The logging tool is shorter, logging tool speed is greater, dwell time is shorter and/or resolution is improved.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer-implemented system and method of identifying human settlements in imagery comprising receiving an image, segmenting the image into a plurality of superpixels, analyzing statistical parameters of at least two or more of the plurality of superpixels, where the statistical parameters includes entropy data, and identifying groups of superpixels having at least a predetermined cluster density and a predetermined entropy. Some embodiments further include clipping the image to only include the identified groups of superpixels having the predetermined cluster density and entropy, analyzing statistical parameters of the clipped image, analyzing geometric factors of the clipped image, determining one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the superpixels, and identifying a shape and area of the one or more settlements based on the statistical parameters and geometric factors of the clipped image.

Abstract: A screening method and apparatus, the method comprising irradiating a subject for screening with excitation radiation, collecting detector output data from a radiation detector located near the subject, and resolving individual signals in the detector output data by (i) determining a signal form of signals present in the data, (ii) making parameter estimates of one or more parameters of the signals, wherein the one or more parameters comprise at least a signal temporal position, and (iii) determining the energy of each of the signals from at least the signal form and the parameter estimates. The screening time is shorter, dwell time is shorter, resolution is improved and/or throughput is increased.