Abstract: Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide metal air electrochemical cell architectures. Various embodiments may provide a battery, such as an unsealed battery or sealed battery, with an open cell arrangement configured such that a liquid electrolyte layer separates a metal electrode from an air electrode. In various embodiments, the electrolyte may be disposed within one or more vessel of the battery such that electrolyte serves as a barrier between a metal electrode and gaseous oxygen. Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide for removing a metal electrode from electrolyte to prevent self-discharge of the metal electrode. Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a three electrode battery configured to operate each in a discharge mode, but with two distinct electrochemical reactions occurring at each electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide metal electrodes for electrochemical cells. In various embodiments, the electrodes may comprise iron. Various methods may enable achieving high surface area with low cost for production of metal electrodes, such as iron electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a battery including a rolling diaphragm configured to move to accommodate an internal volume change of one or more components of the battery. Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a battery housing including a rolling diaphragm seal disposed between an interior volume of the battery and an electrode assembly within the battery. Various embodiments may provide an air electrode assembly including an air electrode supported on a buoyant platform such that the air electrode is above a surface of a volume of electrolyte when the buoyant platform is floating in the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and battery system including cells, each cell including a catholyte, an anolyte, and a separator disposed between the catholyte and anolyte and that is permeable to the at least one ionic species (for example, a metal cation or the hydroxide ion). The catholyte solution includes a ferricyanide, permanganate, manganate, sulfur, and/or polysulfide compound, and the anolyte includes a sulfide and/or polysulfide compound. These electrochemical couples may be embodied in various physical architectures, including static (non-flowing) architectures or in flow battery (flowing) architectures.

Abstract: A thermal processing system includes a tilted rotary furnace configured to sinter a powder at a sintering temperature, a quenching apparatus configured to quench the sintered powder in a quench fluid, and a transfer conduit configured to provide the sintered powder having the sintering temperature from the tilted rotary furnace to the quenching apparatus in 500 ms or less.

Abstract: An apparatus for a wireless switch. In some embodiments, the wireless switch includes an input device, a radio, a memory, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to place a mode selection indicator in an asserted state in response to a first manipulation of the input device, and to operate the wireless switch in a wireless mesh network communication mode in response to the mode selection indicator being placed in the asserted state.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a battery including a rolling diaphragm configured to move to accommodate an internal volume change of one or more components of the battery. Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a battery housing including a rolling diaphragm seal disposed between an interior volume of the battery and an electrode assembly within the battery. Various embodiments may provide an air electrode assembly including an air electrode supported on a buoyant platform such that the air electrode is above a surface of a volume of electrolyte when the buoyant platform is floating in the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and battery system including cells, each cell including a catholyte, an anolyte, and a separator disposed between the catholyte and anolyte and that is permeable to the at least one ionic species (for example, a metal cation or the hydroxide ion). The catholyte solution includes a ferricyanide, permanganate, manganate, sulfur, and/or polysulfide compound, and the anolyte includes a sulfide and/or polysulfide compound. These electrochemical couples may be embodied in various physical architectures, including static (non-flowing) architectures or in flow battery (flowing) architectures.

Abstract: An exercise and/or therapeutic machine includes a controller. The controller is configured to: receive at least one input indicating a number of users of the exercise and/or therapeutic machine for a multi-user routine and a number of segments of the multi-user routine, each segment of the number of segments having an interval specific to each user of the number of users; receive at least one completion designation associated with at least one interval, wherein the at least one completion designation indicates a completion of the at least one interval; transition between each interval of each segment based on detecting the at least one completion designation associated with the at least one interval so that each user of the number of users participates in the multi-user routine on the same exercise and/or therapeutic machine; and generate and provide a display regarding a summary of the multi-user routine.

Abstract: A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a battery, a bulk energy storage system including the battery, and/or a method of operating the bulk energy storage system including the battery. In various embodiment, the battery may include a first electrode, an electrolyte, and a second electrode, wherein one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises direct reduced iron (“DRI”). In various embodiments, the DRI may be in the form of pellets. In various embodiments, the pellets may comprise at least about 60 wt % iron by elemental mass, based on the total mass of the pellets. In various embodiments, one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises from about 60% to about 90% iron and from about 1% to about 40% of a component comprising one or more of the materials selected from the group of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO, and TiO2.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling electrical loads in one or more areas. The system includes a room controller having a microprocessor for accessing data and providing commands, memory for storing information operably connected to the microprocessor, a relay for powering a load based on commands from the microprocessor, and a port for connecting a peripheral device. The system also includes a peripheral device connected to the port and configured to send data including a device type and a device instance byte to the controller indicating the type of peripheral device. The device instance byte includes a port number identifying the port and a slot number identifying a time slot within a time domain multiplexing cycle. The system also includes a load connected to the relay.

Abstract: An apparatus for a wireless switch. In some embodiments, the wireless switch includes an input device, a radio, a memory, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to place a mode selection indicator in an asserted state in response to a first manipulation of the input device, and to operate the wireless switch in a wireless mesh network communication mode in response to the mode selection indicator being placed in the asserted state.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a battery, a bulk energy storage system including the battery, and/or a method of operating the bulk energy storage system including the battery. In various embodiment, the battery may include a first electrode, an electrolyte, and a second electrode, wherein one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises direct reduced iron (“DRI”). In various embodiments, the DRI may be in the form of pellets. In various embodiments, the pellets may comprise at least about 60 wt % iron by elemental mass, based on the total mass of the pellets. In various embodiments, one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises from about 60% to about 90% iron and from about 1% to about 40% of a component comprising one or more of the materials selected from the group of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO, and TiO2.

Abstract: An apparatus for a wireless switch. In some embodiments, the wireless switch includes a button, a battery, a radio, a memory, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor may be configured to operate the wireless switch in a wireless mesh network communication mode; and in response to a user input from the button, reboot the wireless switch; operate the wireless switch in a Bluetooth operating mode; receive a switch configuration; store the switch configuration in the memory; reboot the wireless switch a second time, and operate the switch in the wireless mesh network communication mode.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a battery, a bulk energy storage system including the battery, and/or a method of operating the bulk energy storage system including the battery. In various embodiment, the battery may include a first electrode, an electrolyte, and a second electrode, wherein one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises direct reduced iron (“DRI”). In various embodiments, the DRI may be in the form of pellets. In various embodiments, the pellets may comprise at least about 60 wt % iron by elemental mass, based on the total mass of the pellets. In various embodiments, one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises from about 60% to about 90% iron and from about 1% to about 40% of a component comprising one or more of the materials selected from the group of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO, and TiO2.

Abstract: A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

Abstract: A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

Abstract: Iron electrode materials, iron electrodes, and methods for fabricating said iron electrode materials and iron electrodes via elevated temperature thermomechanical processing of porous particulate iron materials are described. For example, as part of iron electrode manufacture, a particulate iron material into an apparatus may be provided. In addition, pressure and/or heat may be applied to the particulate iron material in the apparatus for a time period to form an electrode having therein conductive connections between particles of the particulate iron material.

Abstract: A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.