Abstract: A rechargeable battery with elastically compliant housing includes a housing and at least one battery cell. The housing includes a pair of substantially rigid end plates and an elastically compliant structure joining the end plates so that the end plates are oriented in respective planes that are substantially parallel to each other and define a gap there between. Each battery cell is contained in the housing in the gap between the end plates and includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator between the anode and the cathode. The elastically compliant structure joins the end plates and includes an elastic component that exhibits elastic expansion greater than 3% along an axis orthogonal to the planes in which the end plates are oriented.

Abstract: A vehicle rear cargo reminder system having a front door sensor, a rear door sensor, an alerting device and a controller. The front door sensor being configured to detect opening movement and closing movement of a front door. The rear door sensor configured to detect opening movement and closing movement of a rear door. The alerting device is configured to provide an alarm signal. The controller detects a sequence of events via the front door sensor and the rear door sensor. The controller determines whether or not an object might be located beside or on the rear seat of the passenger compartment, and operates the alerting device to provide the alarm signal to the vehicle operator in the absence of detection of conditions of an ignition switch of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrode assembly comprising at least one pair of a wound or stacked anode and cathode a housing comprising an insulating soft flexible pouch enclosing the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly and each anode and cathode respectfully have a thickness, width and length measured parallel to a common set of orthogonal axes, wherein (i) the thickness represents the smallest dimension of each anode and cathode but represents the greatest dimension of the full electrode assembly, (ii) the width represents a maximum dimension perpendicular to the thickness, and (iii) an aspect ratio of the width to the thickness of the electrode assembly is less than 1.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery with elastically compliant housing includes a housing and at least one battery cell. The housing includes a pair of substantially rigid end plates and an elastically compliant structure joining the end plates so that the end plates are oriented in respective planes that are substantially parallel to each other and define a gap there between. Each battery cell is contained in the housing in the gap between the end plates and includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator between the anode and the cathode. The elastically compliant structure joins the end plates and includes an elastic component that exhibits elastic expansion greater than 3% along an axis orthogonal to the planes in which the end plates are oriented.

Abstract: A vehicle rear cargo reminder system having a front door sensor, a rear door sensor, an alerting device and a controller. The front door sensor being configured to detect opening movement and closing movement of a front door. The rear door sensor configured to detect opening movement and closing movement of a rear door. The alerting device is configured to provide an alarm signal. The controller detects a sequence of events via the front door sensor and the rear door sensor. The controller determines whether or not an object might be located beside or on the rear seat of the passenger compartment, and operates the alerting device to provide the alarm signal to the vehicle operator in the absence of detection of conditions of an ignition switch of the vehicle.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices which incorporate cathode materials that include layered crystalline compounds for which a structural modification has been achieved which increases the diffusion rate of multi-valent ions into and out of the cathode materials. Examples in which the layer spacing of the layered electrode materials is modified to have a specific spacing range such that the spacing is optimal for diffusion of magnesium ions are presented. An electrochemical cell comprised of a positive intercalation electrode, a negative metal electrode, and a separator impregnated with a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing multi-valent ions and arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode active material is described.

Abstract: A composition that includes at least two of: echinochrome A (2-ethyl-3,5,6,7,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone); spinochrome A (2-acetyl-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione); spinochrome B (2,3,5,7-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione); spinochrome C (2-acetyl-3,5,6,7,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione); spinochrome D (2,3,5,6,8-Pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione); and spinochrome E (hexahydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione). The composition can include one or more additional active ingredients (e.g., vitamin, tretinoin (alltrans retinoic acid or ATRA), a glycosaminoglycan (GAG), dermal filler, Botulinum toxin, etc.) and/or one or more inactive ingredients (e.g., solvent, carrier, gelling agent, coloring agent, etc.). The composition can be in a dry, solid form (e.g., powder), or in a liquid form. Additionally, each of the above components above can independently be present in the composition in either the naturally derived form, or in a synthetically prepared form.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices which incorporate cathode materials that include layered crystalline compounds for which a structural modification has been achieved which increases the diffusion rate of multi-valent ions into and out of the cathode materials. Examples in which the layer spacing of the layered electrode materials is modified to have a specific spacing range such that the spacing is optimal for diffusion of magnesium ions are presented. An electrochemical cell comprised of a positive intercalation electrode, a negative metal electrode, and a separator impregnated with a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing multi-valent ions and arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode active material is described.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices which incorporate cathode materials that include layered crystalline compounds for which a structural modification has been achieved which increases the diffusion rate of multi-valent ions into and out of the cathode materials. Examples in which the layer spacing of the layered electrode materials is modified to have a specific spacing range such that the spacing is optimal for diffusion of magnesium ions are presented. An electrochemical cell comprised of a positive intercalation electrode, a negative metal electrode, and a separator impregnated with a nonaqeuous electrolyte solution containing multi-valent ions and arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode active material is described.

Abstract: Air bag cushion inflators can include a body including a base member coupled to a diffuser member, the diffuser member including a sidewall with exit ports and a ceiling. A combustion chamber may be positioned within the body and includes a cap with an opening formed therein. A filter element may be positioned in fluid communication with the opening in the combustion chamber cap, and located between the combustion chamber cap and the diffuser member ceiling. The filter element includes at least one barrier and a plurality of apertures positioned to cause inflation gas from the combustion chamber to travel from the opening in the combustion chamber cap to the exit port along a tortuous path including at least one debris pocket and at least one impact region. Methods of forming a filter, and disposing the filter in an inflator body. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

Abstract: Air bag cushion inflators can include a body including a base member coupled to a diffuser member, the diffuser member including a sidewall with exit ports and a ceiling. A combustion chamber may be positioned within the body and includes a cap with an opening formed therein. A filter element may be positioned in fluid communication with the opening in the combustion chamber cap, and located between the combustion chamber cap and the diffuser member ceiling. The filter element includes at least one barrier and a plurality of apertures positioned to cause inflation gas from the combustion chamber to travel from the opening in the combustion chamber cap to the exit port along a tortuous path including at least one debris pocket and at least one impact region. Methods of forming a filter, and disposing the filter in an inflator body. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices which incorporate cathode materials that include layered crystalline compounds for which a structural modification has been achieved which increases the diffusion rate of multi-valent ions into and out of the cathode materials. Examples in which the layer spacing of the layered electrode materials is modified to have a specific spacing range such that the spacing is optimal for diffusion of magnesium ions are presented. An electrochemical cell comprised of a positive intercalation electrode, a negative metal electrode, and a separator impregnated with a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing multi-valent ions and arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode active material is described.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices which incorporate cathode materials that include layered crystalline compounds for which a structural modification has been achieved which increases the diffusion rate of multi-valent ions into and out of the cathode materials. Examples in which the layer spacing of the layered electrode materials is modified to have a specific spacing range such that the spacing is optimal for diffusion of magnesium ions are presented. An electrochemical cell comprised of a positive intercalation electrode, a negative metal electrode, and a separator impregnated with a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing multi-valent ions and arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode active material is described.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices which incorporate cathode materials that include layered crystalline compounds for which a structural modification has been achieved which increases the diffusion rate of multi-valent ions into and out of the cathode materials. Examples in which the layer spacing of the layered electrode materials is modified to have a specific spacing range such that the spacing is optimal for diffusion of magnesium ions are presented. An electrochemical cell comprised of a positive intercalation electrode, a negative metal electrode, and a separator impregnated with a nonaqeuous electrolyte solution containing multi-valent ions and arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode active material is described.

Abstract: A linear seat belt pretensioner includes a housing with a sealed axial cavity and a piston (52, 152, 232, 352, 452) slidable in the cavity. A gas generator (76, 166, 156, 376, 476) deploys into the axial cavity, thereby propelling the piston outward. Because the axial cavity is well sealed, the arrangement retains the gas pressure upon deployment and is capable of a restart after a partial displacement if additional slack develops. The piston travels by a distance (X) corresponding to the piston travel and shortens the length of seat belt webbing available outside the pretensioner device by twice or thrice the distance (2X). The axial cavity can be sealed with a bladder element, such as a rolling sock (38). Alternatively, the seal may be established by a hollow piston (152) forming a ballistic seal with the wall of the cavity under pressure.

Abstract: A decorative article is formed by a front sheet of a first material, a layer of tacky material secured thereto to create a decorative panel, and a removable backing sheet. The panel has a peripheral edge that conveys an outline of an image. The front sheet has a surface with graphics correlated to the outline. In a disclosed embodiment, some graphic elements can be an extension of portions of the outline. A kit including a plurality of such decorative panels correlated to a common theme is also disclosed with the decorative panels being pre-printed or colorable by the user. In the latter case, the kit includes markers of different colors. A method of decorating a wall is also disclosed wherein a plurality of theme correlated decorative panels are adhered to the wall by the tacky material.

Abstract: An on-board fuel processor includes a microchannel steam reforming reactor (30) and a water vaporizer (40) heated in series with a combustion gas. The reformer (30) and the vaporizer (40) are both of a cross-flow panel configuration that allows for low combustion side pressure drop. Fuel is directly injected into the steam, and during a rapid cold start, both the combustion gas flow rate and the steam to carbon ratio are substantially increased relative to their steady state operating values. A rapid cold start can be achieved in under 30 seconds with a manageable amount of electric power consumption, removing impediments to use in automotive fuel cell applications.