Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination interfaces or barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

Abstract: Described herein, are battery separators, comprising the following: a microporous polymeric film; and an optional coating layer on at least one side of the microporous polymeric film, wherein at least one of the microporous polymeric film and the optional coating comprises an additive. The additive is selected from the group consisting of a lubricating agent, a plasticizing agent, a nucleating agent, a shrinkage reducing agent, a surfactant, an SEI improving agent, a cathode protection agent, a flame retardant additive, LiPF6 salt stabilizer, an overcharge protector, an aluminum corrosion inhibitor, a lithium deposition agent or improver, or a solvation enhancer, an aluminum corrosion inhibitor, a wetting agent, and a viscosity improver. Also, described herein are batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, comprising one or more of the described separators. Methods for making the battery separators are also described.

Abstract: An example system includes a controller configured to: receive pressure information indicative of a pressure level of the pressurized fuel between an electro-mechanical valve and an engine; based on the pressure level being below a first threshold pressure, send a first signal to open the electro-mechanical valve; determine, based on the pressure information, that the pressure level is increasing upon sending the first signal; in response to the pressure level increasing, send a second signal to activate a pump; determine that the pressure level has increased to a second threshold pressure; and provide information indicating that the engine is ready for operation.

Abstract: An example system includes a controller configured to: receive pressure information indicative of a pressure level of the pressurized fuel between an electro-mechanical valve and an engine; based on the pressure level being below a first threshold pressure, send a first signal to open the electro-mechanical valve; determine, based on the pressure information, that the pressure level is increasing upon sending the first signal; in response to the pressure level increasing, send a second signal to activate a pump; determine that the pressure level has increased to a second threshold pressure; and provide information indicating that the engine is ready for operation.

Abstract: A method for utilizing an optical system for taskless mapping of brain function includes determining a time series of dynamic light measurements for a plurality of spatially distributed source-detector pairs, receiving the dynamic light measurements over a period of time using the source-detector pairs without dependence on either a task or a change in physiological condition, generating a plurality of temporal correlations between regions of a brain for the light measurements based on the time series of the spatially distributed source-detector pairs and the received dynamic light measurements, producing at least one map of a respective strength of each of a plurality of temporal correlations, producing overlapping source-detector pairs measurements using diffuse optical tomography (DOT) geometries, reconstructing data representative of the dynamic light measurements into an image space using at least one DOT algorithm, and co-registering DOT voxel images obtained by the reconstruction to anatomical informat

Abstract: A method for utilizing an optical system for mapping brain function includes determining a time series of light intensity measurements for spatially distributed source and detector pairs, receiving light measurements over a period of time, and producing at least one map of a respective strength of each of a plurality of temporal correlations, wherein the temporal correlations are based on the time series of the spatially distributed source and detector pairs and the light measurements.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system has an exhaust conduit conveying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The exhaust conduit has a dry portion and a wet portion located downstream of the dry portion. Cooling fluid enters the exhaust conduit to cool exhaust gases flowing through the wet portion. A bypass conduit is connected to the exhaust conduit and conveys a portion of the cooling fluid away from the dry portion to thereby decrease reversion of cooling fluid into the dry portion.

Abstract: A liquid cooled internal combustion engine has a cooling system with a coolant liquid flow passage having a drain port and a clog-preventing drain plug having an anti-clog protrusion finger extending through the drain port and into the coolant liquid flow passage when the clog-preventing drain plug is in its closed position. The anti-clog protrusion finger leaves a hole in a clog layer of debris and/or engine combustion products upon removal of the anti-clog protrusion finger from the coolant liquid flow passage upon moving the clog-preventing drain plug to its open position.

Abstract: A marine transmission provides first and second drive gears that have first and second driving surfaces in contact with first and second quantities of rheological fluid. First and second driven surfaces of a propeller shaft are also in contact with the rheological fluids within first and second cavities. Torque is transmitted between the drive gears and the propeller shaft through the increase in viscosity of the rheological fluid. A dog clutch can also be provided in order to lock the propeller shaft to the driving one of the first and second drive gears after the rheological fluid is used to spin up the propeller shaft to the appropriate speed.

Abstract: A plenum is provided upstream from a catalyst module and downstream from a plurality of exhaust ports of a marine engine. The plenum is provided with a cross-sectional area that induces exhaust gas to slow as it passes from the plurality of exhaust ports into the plenum. This slowing of the velocity of exhaust gas improves the probability that the exhaust gas will be more evenly distributed across the inlet surface of the catalyst module.

Abstract: A method for controlling a marine engine uses a flow regulating valve in combination with a solenoid operated two position control valve to regulate the flow of cooling water through exhaust system components. Temperatures are measured at the components, such as within the cooling jacket of exhaust manifolds, and a microprocessor compares the measured temperatures to desired ranges. When the temperatures exceed upper limits, additional flow is directed from a pump to the exhaust system components. When the temperatures are below desired flow thresholds, the flow of the water in the pump is restricted in order to allow the exhaust system components to rise in temperature.

Abstract: A catalyst system for a marine engine includes a plurality of catalyst devices arranged in parallel with each other to accommodate a smaller overall size in a preferred dimension to allow more efficient packaging of the catalyst system.

Abstract: A catalyst system for a marine engine incorporates a catalyst device within a housing structure. The catalyst device has a rim portion that is disposed within first and second flange surfaces of first and second housing structures. A gasket is provided which is configured to have an opening that allows the rim portion of the catalyst device to be constrained between the first and second flange portions but not between the gasket and either of the first and second flange surfaces.

Abstract: A porous member is disposed within the exhaust stream of a marine engine at a location where its temperature approximates the temperature of the exhaust stream through normal use of the engine. Exhaust gas flows freely through the non-catalytic porous member, but water passing in a reverse direction through the exhaust system is vaporized as it attempts to flow through the non-catalytic porous member.

Abstract: A catalyst system for a marine engine supports a catalyst device within a catalyst housing structure in such a way that a space is defined around the device in order to thermally insulate the device from the catalyst housing structure. A rim of the catalyst device cooperates with the housing structure to provide a seal at a bottom portion of the catalyst device to trap water within a reservoir to prevent the water from flowing toward exhaust ports of the engine. The space between the catalyst device and the housing structure provides a thermal insulation which allows the catalyst device to operate at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The exhaust system for a marine engine provides a concentricity spacer located between an outer surface of a generally tubular member of a catalyst device and an inner surface of a generally tubular cavity formed within a catalyst housing structure. The concentricity spacer is shaped to allow fluid to pass through the spacer in a direction generally parallel to a central axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: A method for utilizing an optical system for mapping brain function includes determining a time series of light intensity measurements for spatially distributed source and detector pairs, receiving light measurements over a period of time, and producing at least one map of a respective strength of each of a plurality of temporal correlations, wherein the temporal correlations are based on the time series of the spatially distributed source and detector pairs and the light measurements.

Abstract: A marine engine exhaust system has an oxygen sensor located within a catalyst housing structure and downstream from a catalyst device. The oxygen sensor is located away from a reversion liquid trajectory path that defines the likely path of liquid water flowing in a reverse direction through the marine engine exhaust system toward a plurality of exhaust ports of the engine. By locating the oxygen sensor away from this reversion liquid trajectory path, the likelihood of damage to the oxygen sensor from contact with liquid water is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A cooling system of a marine propulsion device is provided with a valve that directs alternative flows of cooling water to portions of the marine propulsion system and apportions the cooling water flows in response to the speed of the water pump used to draw water from a body of water. Increasing pressures within the structure of the valve body change the proportion of water flowing through first and second coolant paths as engine speed increases.

Abstract: A fuel enrichment cold start/run circuit and method pumps fuel from the fuel pump to an enrichment circuit inlet independently of a carburetor float bowl such that the enrichment circuit is supplied with fuel regardless of the orientation of the float bowl, including angular orientation.