Abstract: Scalable radioisotope power tiles that can provide heat, electrical power, or both, are disclosed. Unlike conventional radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) designs, the scalable radioisotope power tiles do not necessarily seek to minimize the RTG surface area. Rather, a planar design may be used to maximize the radiative surface to increase the temperature difference (?T) and increase system heat to electricity conversion efficiency where electrical power generation is desired. In addition, such a planar design can be one-sided or two-sided, allowing for flexibility in design. For instance, such power tiles may be deployed in a material like a solar sail, on the surface of a vehicle, in terrestrial systems, etc.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, a battery separator or separator membrane comprises one or more co-extruded multi-microlayer membranes optionally laminated or adhered to another polymer membrane. The separators described herein may provide improved strength, for example, improved puncture strength, particularly at a certain thickness, and may exhibit improved shutdown and/or a reduced propensity to split.

Abstract: An expanding battery mandrel includes a cylindrical cell, a cylindrical mandrel having a slit along a length of the cylindrical mandrel, and a plurality of electrolytes wrapped around the cylindrical cell. The expanding battery mandrel also includes an expander screwed inside of or inserted within the cylindrical mandrel, forcing the cylindrical mandrel to uniformly expand in a radial direction and forcing the plurality of electrolytes to compress against each other and to press against an inner wall of the cylindrical cell.

Abstract: A mechanical part includes a part body provided with a through-opening, and a through-fastening element including a rod engaged in the through-opening and connected to an inner surface of the through-opening by a support fastened to the rod of the through-fastening element and to the inner surface of the through-opening and configured to break the link between the rod of the through-fastening element and the inner surface of the through-opening, under the effect of a thrust applied on the through-fastening element so as to push the rod of the latter into the through-opening. Due to the fact that the through-fastening element is pre-integrated with the mechanical part, the logistical management prior to assembly of the mechanical part to another mechanical part is simplified, the risk of operator errors and loss of the fastening element are reduced.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper with an outer layer, an inner layer, and a chamber element positioned at least partially between the outer layer and the upper layer. The chamber element may be formed of two layers of a transparent colored polymer material and may be sealed to enclose a fluid. The chamber element may also have a plurality of subchambers. The outer layer may have a plurality of apertures. Each subchamber may protrude at least partially through a corresponding one of the apertures.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing network provisioning for far edge devices are disclosed. New devices may be onboarded to a network at the far edge to provide computer-implemented services. Upon delivery to the far edge, the new devices may lack IP network configuration, which may be required to obtain provisioning data used to complete the onboarding process. That is, the new devices may be unable to access provisioning data until IP-based communications are established with a provisioning server. However, IP network configuration of the new devices may fail (e.g., when local DHCP servers fail to provide network configuration information), preventing initiation of the onboarding process. Thus, a remote service console may be implemented to automate network provisioning (e.g., when DHCP methods fail). The service console may be hosted by a service device and may provide the IP configuration information to new devices automatically, without user input and/or intervention.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing network provisioning for far edge devices are disclosed. New devices may be onboarded to a network at the far edge to provide computer-implemented services. Upon delivery to the far edge, the new devices may lack IP network configuration, which may be required to obtain provisioning data used to complete the onboarding process. That is, the new devices may be unable to access provisioning data until IP-based communications are established with a provisioning server. However, IP network configuration of the new devices may fail (e.g., when local DHCP servers fail to provide network configuration information), preventing initiation of the onboarding process. Thus, a remote service console may be implemented to manage network provisioning (e.g., when DHCP methods fail). The service console may be hosted by a service device and may use raw-socket MAC address-based communications to manage the IP network configuration of the new devices.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, a battery separator or separator membrane comprises one or more co-extruded multi-microlayer membranes optionally laminated or adhered to another polymer membrane. The separators described herein may provide improved strength, for example, improved puncture strength, particularly at a certain thickness, and may exhibit improved shutdown and/or a reduced propensity to split.

Abstract: A self-regulating battery may generate a basis state for one or more modules using one or more system inputs. The system inputs comprise current, voltage, and battery degradation. The battery generates a family of weighted forecasts for future bus demands using usage and performance based weights. The battery generates one or more plans to support demand from the battery using the weighted forecasts. The battery scores the one or more plans based on efficiency of power extraction from the battery, and combines the scored one or more plans with an updated SoH value based on induced degradation from a usage plan. The battery generates the combined scored for each of the one or more plans, and transmits one of the combined scored to the battery management unit for execution.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting leaks in a battery includes a plurality of cells, each which include a pair of conductive leads bracketing a polymer seal, and a wireless measurement and communication chip (“chip”) configured to perform capacitive measurement, showing a change in capacitance when bridged by ionically conductive species or when a wick is suffused with an electrolyte.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strap system having a medial strap, a lateral strap, and a heel strap. The medial strap extends from a proximal end to a distal end selectively attachable to the upper at the lateral side. The lateral strap extends from a proximal end to a distal end selectively attachable to the upper at the medial side. The heel strap has a proximal portion fixed at the heel region and a distal portion selectively attachable to the upper by a heel strap fastener. The strap fastener is operable to attach one of the distal end of the medial strap and the distal end of the lateral strap to the heel strap.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optimized guide RNAs (gRNAs) and methods of designing and using said optimized gRNAs that have increased target binding specificity and reduced off-target binding.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring health of one or more cells in a battery includes a health monitoring system configured to measure voltage on one or more cells when a waveform is injected into the one or more cells. The waveform is measured at an end of a pulse for each current.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage and power generation system includes a thermal energy storage device including a container, a heating element in the container, a pair of fins in the container and arranged on opposite sides of the heating element, a thermal storage material in the container, and a tube in the container and extending around the thermal storage material. The system also includes a generator in communication with the thermal energy storage device for converting thermal energy into electrical energy as well as subsystems for regulating and controlling the system.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper with an outer layer, an inner layer, and a chamber element positioned at least partially between the outer layer and the upper layer. The chamber element may be formed of two layers of a transparent colored polymer material and may be sealed to enclose a fluid. The chamber element may also have a plurality of subchambers. The outer layer may have a plurality of apertures. Each subchamber may protrude at least partially through a corresponding one of the apertures.

Abstract: A system and method for applying a reduced sugar coating to a food product is provided. The system uses separate applications (simultaneous or sequential) of a non-sucrose carbohydrate syrup from a first applicator and a sucrose syrup from a second applicator. The dual applications of the syrups are applied without an active drying step between applications. The process results in a coated food product with reduced clumping and a desired crystallized appearance even with the reduced levels of sugar.

Abstract: A de-orbiting system for a space vehicle may include one or more lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries configured to release hot gases to be used for thrusting during de-orbiting of the apparatus. The system may also include one or more heaters surrounding each of the one or more Li-ion batteries, which are configured to send each of the one or more Li-ion batteries into a thermal runaway. The thermal runaway causes the one or more Li-ion batteries to release stored electrochemical energy within each of the one or more Li-ion batteries.

Abstract: A radio-frequency amplifier for a cable network includes a forward amplifier configured to amplify a high frequency range of signals that are provided downstream to a cable receiver of the cable network and a return amplifier configured to amplify a low frequency range of signals that are provided upstream to a head end of the cable network. An out-of-band forward amplifier configured to amplify a digitally protected video signal having a frequency in a range between 70 MHz and 130 MHz that are provided downstream to the cable receiver of the cable network and a notch filter configured to reject the amplified digitally protected video signal having the frequency in the range between 70 MHz and 130 MHz from being amplified by the return amplifier.