Abstract: A vehicle including a power receiving pad for wirelessly receiving power, a plurality of magnetic sensors for measuring a magnetic field of a power transmitting pad and obtaining magnetic field data, one or more processors, and one or more memory modules are provided. The one or more memory modules include a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive the magnetic field data from the plurality of magnetic sensors, and estimate a lateral misalignment of the power receiving pad with respect to a magnetic axis of the power transmitting pad. The magnetic sensors are arranged to detect at least an X-component and a Y-component of a magnetic field produced by a power transmitting pad.

Abstract: Electronic assemblies for thermoelectric generation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic assembly includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and a conductive plane and a plurality of thermal guide traces position on the first surface of the substrate. The conductive plane includes a plurality of arms radially extending from a central region. The plurality of thermal guide traces surrounds the conductive plane, and is shaped and positioned to guide heat flux present on or within the substrate toward the central region of the conductive plane. The electronic assembly may also include a thermoelectric generator device thermally coupled to the central region of the conductive plane, and a plurality of heat generating devices coupled to the second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A cooling system simultaneously cools both a power module and a vehicle motor. A vehicle motor housing is provided in thermal communication with a plurality of manifolds. Each manifold defines a cooling fluid inlet, a cooling fluid outlet, and a distribution recess providing fluid communication. The distribution recess may be defined by a wall having an exterior major surface in thermal communication with the vehicle motor. A manifold fluid insert may be disposed within the distribution recess, defining a plurality of inlet branch channels and outlet branch channels. A power module may be coupled to the manifold and a heat sink feature. A flow of coolant fluid is provided from each cooling fluid inlet, through the inlet branch channels of the manifold fluid insert for impingement with the heat sink feature, returning through the outlet branch channels and to the cooling fluid outlet of the respective manifold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a reconfigurable soft robotics-based vehicle interior is provided. The soft-robotics based vehicle interior comprises a child seat portion disposed in a vehicle seat, the child seat portion comprising a child seat constructed of highly compliant materials and mechanisms. When required, the highly compliant materials and mechanisms may be manipulated such that the child seat portion is moved from a retracted state to an engaged state. The child seat may also manipulate the highly complaint materials and mechanisms based on an anatomy of a child to provide customizable support for the child.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a manifold microchannel heat sink having a target surface, a microchannel structure and an insert disposed over the microchannel structure. The microchannel structure includes a plurality of fins extending in a normal direction from the target surface and defining a plurality of microchannels. The individual fins are shaped as rectangular plates and the individual microchannels comprise gaps between the individual fins. The plurality of fins are distributed on the target surface such that at least a thickness of the individual fins or a width of the gaps comprising the individual microchannels is varied along a plane of the target surface. The insert disposed over the microchannel structure has a plurality of inlet dividers and a plurality of outlet dividers. The individual inlet dividers define an inlet channel and the individual outlet dividers define an outlet channel.

Abstract: A thermal compensation layer includes a metal inverse opal (MIO) layer that includes a plurality of core-shell phase change (PC) particles encapsulated within a metal of the MIO layer. Each of the core-shell PC particles includes a core that includes a PCM having a PC temperature in a range of from 100° C. to 250° C., and a shell that includes a shell material having a melt temperature greater than the PC temperature of the PCM. A power electronics assembly includes a substrate having a thermal compensation layer formed proximate a surface of the substrate, the thermal compensation layer comprising an MIO layer that includes a plurality of core-shell PC particles encapsulated within a metal of the MIO layer. The power electronics assembly further includes an electronic device bonded to the thermal compensation layer at a first surface of the electronic device.

Abstract: Fan performance can be adjusted based on real-time operating conditions. The fan can include a plurality of blades operatively connected to a rotor. The blades can extend radially outward from the rotor to a tip. A housing can substantially surround the fan. The housing can have an inner peripheral surface that defines an inner diameter. The inner peripheral surface can include a first portion and a second portion downstream of the first portion. The first portion can be adjacently upstream of the plurality of blades, and the second portion can be substantially aligned with the plurality of blades. A plurality of actuators being distributed in a circumferential direction of the housing. The actuators can be operatively positioned to cause the inner diameter of the first portion or the second portion to be altered. As a result, one or more performance characteristics of the fan can be changed.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly is provided, the configuration of which effectuates artificial tropism. The solar cell assembly may include a combination of at least one transparent solar cell and at least one opaque solar cell. The at least one transparent solar cell may transmit some wavelength(s) of incident sunlight while the at least one opaque solar cell may transmit some wavelength(s) of incident sunlight and absorbing some other wavelength(s) of incident sunlight. The transmitted wavelength(s) of incident sunlight excite or cause one or more shape-changing elements that support the at least one transparent solar cell and the at least one opaque solar cell to actuate in a manner that causes the solar cell assembly to re-orient itself towards a direction of the incident sunlight.

Abstract: A power electronics module includes an electrically-conductive substrate including a base portion defining a plurality of orifices that extend through the base portion, the plurality of orifices defining a plurality of jet paths extending along and outward from the plurality of orifices, and a plurality of posts extending outward from the base portion, where individual posts of the plurality of posts are positioned between individual orifices of the plurality of orifices, and a power electronics device coupled to the plurality of posts opposite the base portion, the power electronics device defining a bottom surface that is oriented transverse to the plurality of jet paths.

Abstract: An inductor includes a magnetic core composed of a magnetic material having variable permeability characteristics based on at least one of design parameters or operational parameters of the inductor that includes one or more air gaps. A coil is wound through the one or more air gaps and is configured to be excited by an electric current.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a manifold microchannel heat sink having a target surface, a microchannel structure and an insert disposed over the microchannel structure. The microchannel structure includes a plurality of tins extending in a normal direction from the target surface and defining a plurality of microchannels. The individual fins are shaped as rectangular plates and the individual microchannels comprise gaps between the individual fins. The plurality of tins are distributed on the target surface such that at least a thickness of the individual fins or a width of the gaps comprising the individual microchannels is varied along a plane of the target surface. The insert disposed over the microchannel structure has a plurality of inlet dividers and a plurality of outlet dividers. The individual inlet dividers define an inlet channel and the individual outlet dividers define an outlet channel.

Abstract: An extendable biosensing device comprising a robotic structure. The robotic structure comprises a pliable exterior lining and an extendable core. The robotic structure comprises at least one sensor located on or within the pliable exterior lining. The sensor is configured to measure a physiological condition. The extendable core automatically extends from a retracted state to a deployed state in response to a triggering event.

Abstract: A power electronics assembly is provided with a self-healing feature. The power electronics assembly may include a semiconductor electronics device and an insulating substrate coupled to the semiconductor electronics device. A base metal structural component may be provided, coupled to the insulating substrate. The assembly may include a frame component cooperating with the base metal structural component and defining an enclosure containing the semiconductor electronics device and the insulating substrate. The assembly further includes a self-healing polymer comprising disulfide bonds. The self-healing polymer is disposed within the enclosure; additional potting material may also be provided as a multi-layered encapsulation. In various aspects, the self-healing polymer may include polydimethylsiloxane based polyurethane (PDMS-PU) modified with disulfide bonds. The frame component may be configured to direct or confine heat to areas of the assembly where ESD may be problematic.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack for providing uniform fluid flow through a plurality of plates is provided. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of plates that define a plurality of fuel cells stacked with each other, each plate having a fuel inlet hole for receiving fuel and a fuel outlet hole for discharging fuel. The fuel cell stack includes a fuel inlet insert extending into the fuel inlet hole of at least some of the plurality of plates. The fuel inlet insert has an upstream end and a downstream end relative to a direction of fuel flow through the fuel inlet holes. The upstream end of the fuel inlet insert has a porosity and permeability less than a porosity and permeability of the downstream end of the fuel inlet insert such that the fuel insert provides uniform fuel flow through the plurality of plates.

Abstract: A thermal compensation layer includes a metal inverse opal (MIO) layer that includes a plurality of core-shell phase change (PC) particles encapsulated within a metal of the MIO layer. Each of the core-shell PC particles includes a core that includes a PCM having a PC temperature in a range of from 100° C. to 250° C., and a shell that includes a shell material having a melt temperature greater than the PC temperature of the PCM. A power electronics assembly includes a substrate having a thermal compensation layer formed proximate a surface of the substrate, the thermal compensation layer comprising an MIO layer that includes a plurality of core-shell PC particles encapsulated within a metal of the MIO layer. The power electronics assembly further includes an electronic device bonded to the thermal compensation layer at a first surface of the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a reconfigurable soft robotics-based vehicle interior is provided. The soft-robotics based vehicle interior comprises a child seat portion disposed in a vehicle seat, the child seat portion comprising a child seat constructed of highly complaint materials and mechanisms. When required, the highly compliant materials and mechanisms may be manipulated such that the child seat portion is moved from a retracted state to an engaged state. The child seat may also manipulate the highly complaint materials and mechanisms based on an anatomy of a child to provide customizable support for the child.

Abstract: A method is disclosed and includes determining at least one of a height field and an orientation field of a fiber-reinforced structure. The fiber-reinforced structure includes a plurality of fiber portions and a polymer matrix. The method includes generating a reaction-diffusion representation of the fiber-reinforced structure. The reaction-diffusion representation indicates a concentration of at least one of the polymer matrix and the plurality of fiber portions. The method includes designating a reference fiber deposition path based on the reaction-diffusion representation. The method includes generating a continuous fiber deposition path based on the reference fiber deposition path. The method includes transmitting a signal representing the continuous fiber deposition path to a deposition device, the deposition device using the continuous fiber deposition path to deposit a fiber of the fiber-reinforced structure.

Abstract: A touchpad for use in an infotainment system and a method of use is provided. The touchpad comprises a bottom layer comprising processing circuitry configured to control operation of a plurality of tactile pixels. The tactile pixels are disposed in a tactile pixel layer on top of the bottom layer. Each tactile pixel comprises a top plate having a plurality of vertices and a support strut coupled to each vertex, each strut comprising a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) hinge disposed between a first rigid portion and a second rigid portion.

Abstract: Methods are provided for designing and generating a tool path for three-dimensional printing of a fiber composite part. The method includes defining a three-dimensional domain model and determining a set of boundary conditions for the three-dimensional domain model. The methods include applying a gradient-based algorithm to a predetermined stress state located within the three-dimensional domain model in order to: (1) optimize the three-dimensional domain model for minimum deflection or stress using a structural mechanics algorithm for a composite article, and (2) provide a topologically optimized fiber composite part design and fiber orientation field. The methods include using the topologically optimized fiber composite part design and fiber orientation field as an input to solve Gray-Scott reaction diffusion equations to generate an anisotropic tool path for three-dimensional printing of the fiber composite part.

Abstract: An absorption cycle based system is disclosed for using waste heat from a vehicle and providing selective heating, cooling, and dehumidifying to a vehicle compartment. The system includes a waste heat loop in thermal communication with a power generating unit of the vehicle, and a vapor absorption subsystem. The vapor absorption subsystem may include a thermal compressor in thermal communication with the waste heat loop, a radiator unit, a condensing unit for heating the vehicle compartment, an evaporating unit for selectively cooling and dehumidifying the vehicle compartment, and a plurality of valves configured to selectively direct refrigerant through the vapor absorption subsystem. The vehicle compartment may include at least one of a passenger cabin, an electronics housing, a battery pack, an engine compartment, and a refrigeration compartment.