Abstract: Methods and systems to commission building environmental sensors are disclosed. The system include a device that will move about the environment of a building (inside and/or outside) and detect building environmental sensor devices that are installed in the environment. For each of the sensor devices, in response to detecting the sensor device, the system will retrieve an identifier for the sensor device, and it will determine whether the sensor device is registered with a control system. If the sensor device is registered with the control system, the system will not automatically implement a commissioning process with the sensor device. If the sensor device is not registered with the control system, the system will automatically implement the commissioning process with the sensor device.

Abstract: A support layer is disposed between a first layer of first electrocaloric capacitors and the second layer of second electrocaloric capacitors. The support layer has thermally conductive vias. A voltage source is configured to apply a first voltage thereby applying a first electric field to the first electrocaloric capacitors and a second voltage thereby applying a second electric field to the second electrocaloric capacitors. The first and second electric fields are complementary such that when the first and second electric fields are applied, heat is transferred through the thermally conductive vias from the first electrocaloric capacitors to the second electrocaloric capacitors or from the second electrocaloric capacitors to the first electrocaloric capacitors.

Abstract: A method for operating an electrocaloric system includes determining an internal temperature lift of an electrocaloric device. A current temperature of a space to be cooled is determined. A heat rejection temperature is determined. A difference between the current temperature and the heat rejection temperature is determined. A target temperature lift is determined based on the difference and a target temperature for the space. A voltage applied to the electrocaloric device is modulated based on the internal temperature lift and the target temperature lift.

Abstract: A method for operating an electrocaloric system includes determining an internal temperature lift of an electrocaloric device. A current temperature of a space to be cooled is determined. A heat rejection temperature is determined. A difference between the current temperature and the heat rejection temperature is determined. A target temperature lift is determined based on the difference and a target temperature for the space. A voltage applied to the electrocaloric device is modulated based on the internal temperature lift and the target temperature lift.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling and operating a hybrid vehicle having a high degree of hybridization are disclosed. A power flow control system predicts vehicle power demand to drive the hybrid vehicle based on changing conditions during operation of the hybrid vehicle. The power flow control system controls the power flow so as to provide power to drive the hybrid vehicle based on the predicted vehicle power demand, wherein the predicted vehicle power demand is greater than a maximum.

Abstract: A first thin-film transistor (TFT) communicatively couples a word line to a source signal in response to a selection signal applied to a first gate of the first TFT. The word line used to enable and disable a memory element that is coupled to the word line. A second TFT communicatively decouples the word line from a ground in response to the first signal being applied to a second gate of the second TFT.

Abstract: A capacitor device includes a plurality of capacitors arranged into a shape. Each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors has a first external electrode on a first side of the capacitor and a second external electrode on a second side of the capacitor opposing the first side. A first plate is proximate and electrically coupled to the first external electrodes of the capacitors. A second plate is proximate and electrically coupled to the second external electrodes of the capacitors.

Abstract: A first thin-film transistor (TFT) communicatively couples a word line to a source signal in response to a selection signal applied to a first gate of the first TFT. The word line used to enable and disable a memory element that is coupled to the word line. A second TFT communicatively decouples the word line from a ground in response to the first signal being applied to a second gate of the second TFT.

Abstract: A capacitor device includes a plurality of capacitors arranged into a shape. Each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors has a first external electrode on a first side of the capacitor and a second external electrode on a second side of the capacitor opposing the first side. A first plate is proximate and electrically coupled to the first external electrodes of the capacitors. A second plate is proximate and electrically coupled to the second external electrodes of the capacitors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for accurate, field-ready, non-destructive, and three-dimensional plant root characterization using acoustic signals. The system is portable, fast, precise, and can be used in field conditions, including moist soil, to visualize root structure or mass distribution, without damaging growing crops. The system may also be applied to characterize other underground objects, such as pipes, building foundations, archaeological artifacts, or mineral ores. During operation, the system generates a source acoustic signal. The system sends the source acoustic signal to an actuator acoustically coupled directly to a plant. The system obtains a response acoustic signal from an underground transducer monitoring a root of the plant. The system analyzes the response acoustic signal according to a model and based on the source acoustic signal. The system then determines, based on the analyzed response acoustic signal, a physical configuration of the plant root.

Abstract: A capacitor device includes a plurality of capacitors arranged into a shape. Each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors has a first external electrode on a first side of the capacitor and a second external electrode on a second side of the capacitor opposing the first side. A first plate is proximate and electrically coupled to the first external electrodes of the capacitors. A second plate is proximate and electrically coupled to the second external electrodes of the capacitors.

Abstract: A photoelectrolysis system includes at least one photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell having at least one photoanode and at least one photocathode. A light concentrator provides concentrated light to PEC cell. The PEC cell electrolyzes the electrolyte into H2 and O2 in response to excitons generated by the concentrated light on the PEC cell. An electrolyte flow apparatus moves the electrolyte over surfaces of one or both of the photoanode and the photocathode at a flow rate that is based on one or more characteristics of the photoelectrolysis.

Abstract: A sensor network system that includes a sensor array having a plurality of sensor units that include a plurality of sensor elements, each sensor element configured to generate an electrical signal in response to a chemical environment in the vicinity of the sensor unit. The set of electrical signals generated by the sensor elements of the sensor unit represents a measured signature of the environment in the vicinity of the sensor unit. An analyzer is configured to extract the measured signatures of each sensor unit from sensor unit information signals and to detect a presence and concentration of one or more of the gases of interest based on the measured signatures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for accurate, field-ready, non-destructive, and three-dimensional plant root characterization using acoustic signals. The system is portable, fast, precise, and can be used in field conditions, including moist soil, to visualize root structure or mass distribution, without damaging growing crops. The system may also be applied to characterize other underground objects, such as pipes, building foundations, archaeological artifacts, or mineral ores. During operation, the system generates a source acoustic signal. The system sends the source acoustic signal to an actuator acoustically coupled directly to a plant. The system obtains a response acoustic signal from an underground transducer monitoring a root of the plant. The system analyzes the response acoustic signal according to a model and based on the source acoustic signal. The system then determines, based on the analyzed response acoustic signal, a physical configuration of the plant root.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for estimating a location of a gas leak, based on machine learning from forward gas concentration data provided by an analog or scale model including a gas source. The system improves significantly over previous systems by providing high quality, physically accurate forward modeling data inexpensively. During operation, the system configures an aerosol source at a first location to emit a gaseous aerosol. The system then configures a laser source to illuminate the aerosol with a laser sheet. The system may then obtain an image of a reflection of the laser sheet from the aerosol. The system may then analyze the image to quantify a three-dimensional concentration distribution of the aerosol. The system may then estimate, based on solving an inverse problem and an observed second gas concentration, a second location of a second gas source.

Abstract: A system comprises a first row of electrocaloric capacitors having capacitors separated by a first set of insulation regions. A second row of electrocaloric capacitors is disposed proximate the first row of electrocaloric capacitors separated by a second set of insulation regions. A first electric field is applied to the first row of electrocaloric capacitors and a second electric field is applied to the second row of electrocaloric capacitors. When the first and second electric fields are applied to their respective electrocaloric capacitors the temperature of the first electrocaloric capacitor rises in accordance with a rising first electric field and the temperature of the second electrocaloric capacitor decreases in accordance with a decreasing second electric field or the temperature of the first electrocaloric capacitor decreases in accordance with a decreasing first electric field and the temperature of the second electrocaloric capacitor increases in accordance with a rising second field.

Abstract: A single-electrode battery subassembly includes a separator comprising an electrolyte. The separator has a first surface and an opposing second surface. A single electrode is disposed over the first surface of the separator. A removable, electrically inert substrate disposed on the second surface of the separator.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter having an inverter which accepts a DC input voltage, a rectifier that produces a DC output voltage, a resonant tank, and a controller. The inverter includes a first and second switch as does the rectifier. The resonant tank is coupled between the inverter and the rectifier. The controller is configured to independently control and adjust the phase and duty cycle of each of the four switches such that zero-voltage switching occurs for each switch as each switch transitions. The controller utilizes input parameters such as the DC input voltage, a target output voltage, and a target output current to determine the appropriate phase and duty cycle of each of the four switches. Zero-voltage switching occurs for each of the four switches when the switch is transitioning and a voltage across the switch is substantially zero.

Abstract: The level sensor system includes a level sensor label configured to be associated with a container containing a material whose level is to be sensed, the level sensor label arrangement having a circuit which includes an inductive element electrically connected to a capacitive structure configured to be associated with the container.

Abstract: A single-electrode battery subassembly includes a separator comprising an electrolyte. The separator has a first surface and an opposing second surface. A single electrode is disposed over the first surface of the separator. A removable, electrically inert substrate disposed on the second surface of the separator.