Abstract: An energy storage system comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells. The electrochemical cells include a pair of electrodes including an anode and a cathode. An electrolyte in communication with the pair of electrodes. A flow shaping baffle is situated between the pair of electrodes. The flow shaping baffle includes a plurality of channels extending from a first end proximate the cathode to a second end proximate the anode along an axis substantially perpendicular to the electrodes. The first end has a first diameter and the second end has a second diameter. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The disclosed energy storage system does not require expensive pumps or ion exchange membranes and can operate efficiently over a long service life.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system and method for producing ultrasound images based on Full Waveform Inversion (FWI). The system captures acoustic/(an)elastic waves transmitted through and reflected and/or diffracted from a medium. The system performs an FWI process in a time domain in conjunction with an accurate wave propagation solver. The system produces 3D maps of physical parameters that control wave propagation, such as shear and compressional wavespeeds, mass density, attenuation, Poisson's ratio, bulk and shear moduli, impedance, and even the fourth-order elastic tensor containing up to 21 independent parameters, which are of significant diagnostic value, e.g., for medical imaging and non-destructive testing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prediction of state of charge (SOH), state of health (SOC) and other characteristics of batteries using acoustic signals, includes determining acoustic data at two or more states of charge and determining a reduced acoustic data set representative of the acoustic data at the two or more states of charge. The reduced acoustic data set includes time of flight (TOF) shift, total signal amplitude, or other data points related to the states of charge. Machine learning models use at least the reduced acoustic dataset in conjunction with non-acoustic data such as voltage and temperature for predicting the characteristics of any other independent battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prediction of state of charge (SOH), state of health (SOC) and other characteristics of batteries using acoustic signals, includes determining acoustic data at two or more states of charge and determining a reduced acoustic data set representative of the acoustic data at the two or more states of charge. The reduced acoustic data set includes time of flight (TOF) shift, total signal amplitude, or other data points related to the states of charge. Machine learning models use at least the reduced acoustic dataset in conjunction with non-acoustic data such as voltage and temperature for predicting the characteristics of any other independent battery.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system and method for producing ultrasound images based on Full Waveform Inversion (FWI). The system captures acoustic/(an)elastic waves transmitted through and reflected and/or diffracted from a medium. The system performs an FWI process in a time domain in conjunction with an accurate wave propagation solver. The system produces 3D maps of physical parameters that control wave propagation, such as shear and compressional wavespeeds, mass density, attenuation, Poisson's ratio, bulk and shear moduli, impedance, and even the fourth-order elastic tensor containing up to 21 independent parameters, which are of significant diagnostic value, e.g., for medical imaging and non-destructive testing.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrolyte composition which is adapted for use in a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell, and especially preferably adapted for use in a rechargeable manganese zinc electrochemical cell, which electrolyte composition imparts improved performance characteristics to the rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell. The electrolyte composition includes an electrolyte composition in which contains a potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide in a concentration and a respective molar ratio of about 1 molar potassium hydroxide to 2.5-3.7 (preferably 1:3) molar lithium hydroxide (1 M KOH:2.5-3.7 M LiOH). Also provided are alkaline electrochemical cells and alkaline batteries comprising the electrolyte compositions. The resultant alkaline electrochemical cells and alkaline batteries exhibit improved performance characteristics, as the electrolyte composition significantly inhibits the passivation of Zn, and may also be useful in this role in other battery chemistries.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prediction of state of charge (SOH), state of health (SOC) and other characteristics of batteries using acoustic signals, includes determining acoustic data at two or more states of charge and determining a reduced acoustic data set representative of the acoustic data at the two or more states of charge. The reduced acoustic data set includes time of flight (TOF) shift, total signal amplitude, or other data points related to the states of charge. Machine learning models use at least the reduced acoustic dataset in conjunction with non-acoustic data such as voltage and temperature for predicting the characteristics of any other independent battery.

Abstract: A printed flexible battery is provided. The battery has an anode and a cathode printed on flexible, fibrous substrates. Current collectors are provided that form the anode/cathode connections when the assembly is folded. A hydrophobic polymer is printed in a pattern that contains the electrolyte to a predetermined region.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrolyte composition which is adapted for use in a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell, and especially preferably adapted for use in a rechargeable manganese zinc electrochemical cell, which electrolyte composition imparts improved performance characteristics to the rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell. The electrolyte composition includes an electrolyte composition in which contains a potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide in a concentration and a respective molar ratio of about 1 molar potassium hydroxide to 2.5-3.7 (preferably 1:3) molar lithium hydroxide (1 M KOH:2.5-3.7 M LiOH). Also provided are alkaline electrochemical cells and alkaline batteries comprising the electrolyte compositions. The resultant alkaline electrochemical cells and alkaline batteries exhibit improved performance characteristics, as the electrolyte composition significantly inhibits the passivation of Zn, and may also be useful in this role in other battery chemistries.

Abstract: Disclosed are hyper-dendritic nanoporous zinc foam electrodes, viz., anodes, methods of producing the same, and methods for their use in electrochemical cells, especially in rechargeable electrical batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a method for coating a substrate to prevent dewetting. A suspension of nanoparticles is deposited onto the substrate to produce a nanoparticle layer. The nanoparticle layer is then coated with a monomer. The monomer polymerizes on the nanoparticle layer to produce a polymeric layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are hyper-dendritic nanoporous zinc foam electrodes, viz., anodes, methods of producing the same, and methods for their use in electrochemical cells, especially in rechargeable electrical batteries.

Abstract: Methods of using specific operational charge and discharge parameters to extend the life of alkaline batteries are disclosed. The methods can be used with any commercial primary or secondary alkaline battery, as well as with newer alkaline battery designs, including batteries with flowing electrolyte. The methods include cycling batteries within a narrow operating voltage window, with minimum and maximum cut-off voltages that are set based on battery characteristics and environmental conditions. The narrow voltage window decreases available capacity but allows the batteries to be cycled for hundreds or thousands of times.

Abstract: A nickel-zinc battery includes a battery housing, a nickel oxide positive electrode supported in the battery housing, a metal substrate negative electrode supported in the battery housing, a spacer disposed between the positive and negative electrodes, an electrolyte contained within the battery housing and a means for circulating electrolyte in fluid communication with the housing for circulating the electrolyte between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrolyte contains zinc and the metal substrate is adapted for deposition of the zinc during charging of the battery. The spacer maintains the positive electrode in a spaced relationship apart from the negative electrode.

Abstract: Methods of using specific operational charge and discharge parameters to extend the life of alkaline batteries are disclosed. The methods can be used with any commercial primary or secondary alkaline battery, as well as with newer alkaline battery designs, including batteries with flowing electrolyte. The methods include cycling batteries within a narrow operating voltage window, with minimum and maximum cut-off voltages that are set based on battery characteristics and environmental conditions. The narrow voltage window decreases available capacity but allows the batteries to be cycled for hundreds or thousands of times.

Abstract: A printed flexible battery is provided. The battery has an anode and a cathode printed on flexible, fibrous substrates. Current collectors are provided that form the anode/cathode connections when the assembly is folded. A hydrophobic polymer is printed in a pattern that contains the electrolyte to a predetermined region.

Abstract: A nickel-zinc battery includes a battery housing, a nickel oxide positive electrode supported in the battery housing, a metal substrate negative electrode supported in the battery housing, a spacer disposed between the positive and negative electrodes, an electrolyte contained within the battery housing and a means for circulating electrolyte in fluid communication with the housing for circulating the electrolyte between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrolyte contains zinc and the metal substrate is adapted for deposition of the zinc during charging of the battery. The spacer maintains the positive electrode in a spaced relationship apart from the negative electrode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wireless measurement device is provided. A wireless transceiver is configured to communicate with a base station through a wireless medium to receive configuration information. The wireless transceiver outputs a signal for use in measuring a potential or current based on the configuration information. A circuit is configured to function as a galvanostat and can receive the signal and achieve a desired current using the signal. A potential of a test cell is then measurable using the current. Also, the circuit is configured to function as a potentiostat and can achieve a desired potential using the signal. The current of the test cell is then measurable using the potential. The wireless transceiver transmits the measured potential or current wirelessly to a second wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A sensing system for sensing conditions or characteristics associated with a process or thing. The sensing system includes one or more energy converters and a sensor, which are coupled to the process or thing. A node is coupled to the sensor and the energy-converter, and the node is powered by output from the energy converter. In a more specific embodiment, the node includes a controller that implements one or more routines for selectively powering a wireless transmitter of the node based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition may specify that sensor output values are within a predetermined range or are below or above a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may specify that electrical energy output from the energy converter is below a predetermined threshold. A remote computer may be wirelessly connected to node and may include software and/or hardware that is adapted to process information output by the sensor and relayed to the computer via the node.