Abstract: A traction battery cell assembly including a battery cell and a cell case is provided. The cell case defines a cavity sized for receiving the battery cell and includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of support chambers disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. Each of the support chambers defines a polygon having multiple sides. The sides are arranged with one another to define an agent cavity to house neutralizing agent. The plurality of support chambers is arranged with the inner wall and the outer wall such that an impact to one of the walls causes a puncture to one of the sides of the support chambers releasing the neutralizing agent. Each of the support chambers may include five or more sides and adjacent sides may define an angle therebetween greater than ninety degrees.

Abstract: Low-profile latching mechanisms and related mechanical interfaces for allowing straps and other fastening accessories for limb-wearable devices are provided. The mechanisms in question allow for a very strong, yet easily releasable, connection to be made between a strap accessory and a device housing, with very little of the mechanism being visible.

Abstract: A wireless cell array tracker includes a daisy chain connecter and processor each supported on a circuit substrate. The circuit substrate is attached to a battery array. The daisy chain connector physically interfaces with a battery sensing module of the battery array. The processor retrieves data from the battery sensing module via the daisy chain connector, and commands wireless transmission of the data.

Abstract: A user may select one or more potential common ancestors with a DNA match to view the target individual's relationship with them. The process may include identifying, from a first genealogical profile of the target individual. A first individual has a first linkage that connects the target individual towards the selected potential common ancestor. The process may also include identifying, from a second genealogical profile of the DNA match, a second individual who has a second linkage that connects the DNA match towards the selected potential common ancestor. The process may further include connecting the first linkage and the second linkage with the selected potential common ancestor by adding one or more individuals whose profiles are retrieved from other searchable genealogical profiles stored in the online system. With the nodes and connections available, the process may generate a map of visual connections between the target individual and the DNA match.

Abstract: A method for evacuating a volume below a substrate in a substrate processing system includes arranging the substrate on a lift mechanism of a substrate support to define the volume below the substrate between the substrate and an upper surface of the substrate support. An evacuation step is initiated to evacuate the volume below the substrate. The evacuation step includes pumping down the volume below the substrate at least one of through and around the lift mechanism. The lift mechanism is lowered during the evacuation step to position the substrate on the upper surface of the substrate support and the evacuation step is terminated.

Abstract: Low-profile latching mechanisms and related mechanical interfaces for allowing straps and other fastening accessories for limb-wearable devices are provided. The mechanisms in question allow for a very strong, yet easily releasable, connection to be made between a strap accessory and a device housing, with very little of the mechanism being visible.

Abstract: A user interface of an entity-centric knowledge discovery system presents an entity profile including a mix of structured and unstructured data relating to an entity. As a user refines the entity profile based on information gathered from various sources, the changing entity profile can be used as a substantially continuously updating query to search, retrieve, and rank new and pertinent information specifically relevant to the profiled entity. The platform described herein provide an active loop for refining an entity description and searching for additional information in which human input and machine-based algorithms can cooperate to more quickly build a comprehensive description of an entity of interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided herein for independently adjusting flowpath conductance. One multi-station processing apparatus may include a processing chamber, a plurality of process stations in the processing chamber that each include a showerhead having a gas inlet, and a gas delivery system including a junction point and a plurality of flowpaths, in which each flowpath includes a flow element, includes a temperature control unit that is thermally connected with the flow element and that is controllable to change the temperature of that flow element, and fluidically connects one corresponding gas inlet of a process station to the junction point such that each process station of the plurality of process stations is fluidically connected to the junction point by a different flowpath.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary home energy storage systems capable of storing electricity locally for later consumption, such as for charging an electrified vehicle, supporting various home energy needs, and supporting alternative energy storage/power source functionality. An exemplary home energy storage system may include a stationary unit, one or more modular units removably connectable to the stationary unit, and a rack mounting and handcart transportation system configured to mount, detach, and transport the modular unit relative to the stationary unit. Once undocked from the stationary unit, the modular unit(s) may be utilized as a portable power source for powering one or more electrical loads. This disclosure further describes various interconnected functionalities (e.g., electrical and wireless communication of state of uses) between the stationary unit and the modular unit of home energy storage systems and between the modular unit and various satellite equipment associated with the modular unit.

Abstract: A vehicle on-board charging assembly includes at least one power electronics module and a coolant channel in thermal contact with the at least one power electronics module. The charging assembly also includes a first reactive portion along a wall of the coolant channel defining a first reactive property and a second reactive portion along the wall of the coolant channel defining a second reactive property. The charging assembly further includes a plurality of emitters arranged to activate the first and second reactive portions. The charging assembly also further includes a controller programmed to sequentially activate the emitters to cause peristaltic pumping of coolant through the coolant channel.

Abstract: A method and system for an electric vehicle include a controller and a battery cooling system. The controller automatically detects when the vehicle is being driven to a charging station. The controller controls the battery cooling system to pre-cool a traction battery of the vehicle as the vehicle is being driven to the charging station so that the traction battery is cooled to a target temperature upon the vehicle reaching the charging station. The battery cooling system includes a phase change material (PCM) surrounding at least a portion of the traction battery. The traction battery is pre-cooled by circulating refrigerant coolant to the PCM to cool the PCM and thereby pre-cool the traction battery.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a pouch cell having electrode tabs extending therefrom, each of the tabs defining perforations, a bus bar in contact with the tabs, and respective agglomerations of mechanically bound solid metal particles each filling one of the perforations to mechanically bind and electrically connect the tabs to the bus bar.

Abstract: A lithium ion pouch battery cell includes a rigid frame forming a skeleton of the cell and defining an aperture, an anode, a separator, and a cathode disposed within the aperture. The anode and cathode each include a current collector with an exposed tab portion, and a pair of terminals, integrated into the frame, each having an exterior portion and an interior portion bonded to one of the current collectors.

Abstract: A vehicle on-board charging assembly includes at least one power electronics module and a coolant channel in thermal contact with the at least one power electronics module. The charging assembly also includes a first reactive portion along a wall of the coolant channel defining a first reactive property and a second reactive portion along the wall of the coolant channel defining a second reactive property. The charging assembly further includes a plurality of emitters arranged to activate the first and second reactive portions. The charging assembly also further includes a controller programmed to sequentially activate the emitters to cause peristaltic pumping of coolant through the coolant channel.

Abstract: A method and system for an electric vehicle include a controller and a battery cooling system. The controller automatically detects when the vehicle is being driven to a charging station. The controller controls the battery cooling system to pre-cool a traction battery of the vehicle as the vehicle is being driven to the charging station so that the traction battery is cooled to a target temperature upon the vehicle reaching the charging station. The battery cooling system includes a phase change material (PCM) surrounding at least a portion of the traction battery. The traction battery is pre-cooled by circulating refrigerant coolant to the PCM to cool the PCM and thereby pre-cool the traction battery.

Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly may include a traction battery cell, a case, and a thermal plate. The case may define a cavity to receive the traction battery cell and has a first side defining a first form feature. The thermal plate may be for positioning adjacent the traction battery cell and define a coolant channel sized for engagement with the case via the first form feature such that traction battery cell is in thermal communication with coolant flowing through the coolant channel. The first form feature may be serpentine-shaped or S-shaped. The first form feature may be castle-shaped from a cross-sectional plan view. The case may be multi-layered and include a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer, and an aluminum layer disposed between the polymer layers.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary home energy storage systems capable of storing electricity locally for later consumption, such as for charging an electrified vehicle, supporting various home energy needs, and supporting alternative energy storage/power source functionality. An exemplary home energy storage system may include a stationary unit, one or more modular units removably connectable to the stationary unit, and a rack mounting and handcart transportation system configured to mount, detach, and transport the modular unit relative to the stationary unit. Once undocked from the stationary unit, the modular unit(s) may be utilized as a portable power source for powering one or more electrical loads. This disclosure further describes various interconnected functionalities (e.g., electrical and wireless communication of state of uses) between the stationary unit and the modular unit of home energy storage systems and between the modular unit and various satellite equipment associated with the modular unit.

Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a battery cell, a busbar, and a thermal spray is provided. The battery cell may include a terminal having an angled taper upper portion extending therefrom. The busbar may define a through-hole having a taper defining an angle substantially opposite of the angled taper upper portion such that a cavity is defined therebetween when the terminal extends through the through-hole. The thermal spray may be deposited within the cavity to secure the busbar to the terminal. The thermal spray may be formed from a metallic powder selected to include particles that deform and connect when accelerated to a speed of approximately 500 mph or more to join the particles and form a bond securing the terminal to the busbar. The particles of the metallic powder may be iron, copper, aluminum, nickel, iron, or magnesium.

Abstract: A battery system is disclosed. The system may include a frame surrounding a battery active region and defining a vent carried by the frame and mounted between the battery active region and coolant passage. The vent may be configured to vent gas from the battery active region to the coolant passage responsive to a pressure or temperature of the gas exceeding a predetermined threshold, and to isolate the battery active region from the coolant passage otherwise.

Abstract: A plug for a fill port of a battery cell includes a body defining a channel. The plug includes a cover coupled to the body and covering the channel. The cover is configured to open in response to predetermined conditions to vent the battery cell.