Abstract: Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a cathode material within a lithium-air battery, where the cathode is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that improve the oxygen transport properties of electrolyte solution and improve the formation of lithium peroxide along the surface and/or within the pores of the carbon aerogel. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-air battery.

Abstract: Aerogel-based components and systems for electric vehicle thermal management are provided. Exemplary embodiments include a heat control member. The heat control member can include reinforced aerogel compositions that are durable and easy to handle, have favorable performance for use as heat control members and thermal barriers for batteries, have favorable insulation properties, and have favorable reaction to fire, combustion and flame-resistance properties. Also provided are methods of preparing or manufacturing such reinforced aerogel compositions. In certain embodiments, the composition has a silica-based aerogel framework reinforced with a fiber and including one or more opacifying additives.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for mapping damage on a vehicle, the method comprising: displaying a graphical user interface on a display device (14) of a computing device (12) which shows a first image representing a first view of a vehicle; defining a first coordinate system relative to the first image; detecting a first user input command provided via a user input device associated with the computing device, the first user input command being representative of an instance of damage observed on the vehicle; storing one or more sets of image coordinates representing the first user input command to map damage to the vehicle.

Abstract: Battery thermal management materials, compositions and systems are provided. Exemplary embodiments include a battery thermal management member. The battery thermal management member can include a heat protection layer and a resilient layer. Also provided are methods of preparing or manufacturing such battery thermal management members. In certain embodiments, the heat protection layer can include mica, microporous silica, ceramic fiber, mineral wool, aerogel or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle imaging station for capturing images of scratches on a vehicle, the vehicle imaging station including a tunnel having an entrance and an exit, with one or more walls defining an enclosure between the entrance and exit to define a tunnel volume containing a vehicle pathway having a central axis. The station further includes a reflection source surface and a camera arranged with a field of view including an imaging volume of the tunnel volume in which an image defined by the reflection source surface will be reflected to be visible to the camera as a reflected image by a vehicle moving along the vehicle pathway. The station also includes a color modifier arranged to cause the reflection source surface to adopt a first color of a plurality of possible colors in response to a color control signal such that the reflected image has the first color.

Abstract: A vehicle damage detection system comprising: a booth having a booth entrance for a vehicle to enter the booth and a booth exit for the vehicle to exit the booth; a plurality of damage assessment cameras orientated to capture damage assessment images of the vehicle when the vehicle is located at a damage assessment zone within the booth; a data processor configured to: receive the damage assessment images; execute a program to identify and assess damage to the vehicle using the damage assessment images; and generate a damage report quantifying the damage to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle imaging station for capturing images of scratches and dents on a vehicle, the vehicle imaging station including a tunnel having an entrance and an exit, and a structured light source. The station has a first camera arranged with a field of view comprising/containing/encompassing a structured light portion of the tunnel volume in which the structured light image will be reflected to be visible to the first camera by a vehicle moving along the vehicle pathway, and a second camera arranged with a field of view comprising a non-structured light portion of the tunnel volume in which the structured light image will not be reflected to be visible to the second camera when a vehicle moves along the vehicle pathway. The station also includes a non-reflective, non-illuminating surface within the tunnel on a same side of the central axis of the vehicle pathway as the second camera.

Abstract: The present disclosure can provide aerogel compositions which have a thermal storage capacity, and which are durable and easy to handle. The present disclosure can provide aerogel compositions which include PCM coatings, particle mixtures, or PCM materials confined within the porous network of an aerogel composition. The present disclosure can provide methods for producing aerogel compositions by coating an aerogel composition with PCM materials, by forming particle mixtures with PCM materials, or by confining PCM materials within the porous network of an aerogel composition.

Abstract: A vehicle imaging station comprising one or more cameras each camera having an adjustable shutter speed and a field of view, the fields of view of the one or more cameras covering an vehicle imaging volume, a control unit arranged to control the shutter speed of the cameras, a vehicle speed detection device arranged to measure the speed of a vehicle moving through the vehicle imaging volume and to output detected vehicle speed data to the control unit. The control unit is arranged to automatically adjust the shutter speed of the cameras based on the detected vehicle speed data and to cause the cameras to capture one or more images with the adjusted shutter speed.

Abstract: The present disclosure can provide an aerogel composite. The aerogel composite comprises at least one base layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the base layer comprising a reinforced aerogel composition which comprises a reinforcement material and a monolithic aerogel framework, a first facing layer comprising a first facing material attached to the top surface of the base layer, and a second facing layer comprising a second facing material attached to the bottom surface of the base layer. At least a portion of the monolithic aerogel framework of the base layer extends into at least a portion of both the first facing layer and the second facing layer. The first facing material and the second facing material can each comprise or consist essentially of a non-fluoropolymeric material.

Abstract: The present disclosure can provide aerogel compositions which have a thermal storage capacity, and which are durable and easy to handle. The present disclosure can provide aerogel compositions which include PCM coatings, particle mixtures, or PCM materials confined within the porous network of an aerogel composition. The present disclosure can provide methods for producing aerogel compositions by coating an aerogel composition with PCM materials, by forming particle mixtures with PCM materials, or by confining PCM materials within the porous network of an aerogel composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure can provide an aerogel composite. The aerogel composite comprises at least one base layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the base layer comprising a reinforced aerogel composition which comprises a reinforcement material and a monolithic aerogel framework, a first facing layer comprising a first facing material attached to the top surface of the base layer, and a second facing layer comprising a second facing material attached to the bottom surface of the base layer. At least a portion of the monolithic aerogel framework of the base layer extends into at least a portion of both the first facing layer and the second facing layer. The first facing material and the second facing material can each comprise or consist essentially of elastic fibers such as spandex, nylon, lycra, elastane, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle damage detection system comprising: a booth having a booth entrance for a vehicle to enter the booth and a booth exit for the vehicle to exit the booth; a plurality of damage assessment cameras orientated to capture damage assessment images of the vehicle when the vehicle is located at a damage assessment zone within the booth; a data processor configured to: receive the damage assessment images; execute a program to identify and assess damage to the vehicle using the damage assessment images; and generate a damage report quantifying the damage to the vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein are insulating structures that include at least one microporous layer including a plurality of pores, a porous layer adjacent to the microporous layer, and a monolithic aerogel structure extending through the plurality of pores of the microporous layer and through at least part of the porous layer. The microporous layer filters aerogel dust from cracked or damaged aerogel within the scaffold, slowing or preventing loss of dust from the insulating structures.

Abstract: A vehicle damage detection system comprising: a booth having a booth entrance for a vehicle to enter the booth and a booth exit for the vehicle to exit the booth; a plurality of damage assessment cameras orientated to capture damage assessment images of the vehicle when the vehicle is located at a damage assessment zone within the booth; a data processor configured to: receive the damage assessment images; execute a program to identify and assess damage to the vehicle using the damage assessment images; and generate a damage report quantifying the damage to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mapping damage on a vehicle, the method comprising: displaying a graphical user interface on a display device of a computing device which shows a first image representing a first view of a vehicle; defining a first coordinate system relative to the first image; detecting a first user input command provided via a user input device associated with the computing device, the first user input command being representative of an instance of damage observed on the vehicle; storing one or more sets of image coordinates representing the first user input command to map damage to the vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein are insulating structures that include at least one microporous layer including a plurality of pores, a porous layer adjacent to the microporous layer, and a monolithic aerogel structure extending through the plurality of pores of the microporous layer and through at least part of the porous layer. The microporous layer filters aerogel dust from cracked or damaged aerogel within the scaffold, slowing or preventing loss of dust from the insulating structures.

Abstract: Described herein are aerogel composites. The aerogel composites comprise at least one base layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the base layer comprising a reinforced aerogel composition which comprises a reinforcement material and a monolithic aerogel framework, a first facing layer comprising a first facing material attached to the top surface of the base layer, and a second facing layer comprising a second facing material attached to the bottom surface of the base layer. At least a portion of the monolithic aerogel framework of the base layer extends into at least a portion of both the first facing layer and the second facing layer. The first facing material and the second facing material each consist essentially of fluoropolymer material.

Abstract: A vehicle imaging station comprising one or more cameras each camera having an adjustable shutter speed and a field of view, the fields of view of the one or more cameras covering an vehicle imaging volume, a control unit arranged to control the shutter speed of the cameras, a vehicle speed detection device arranged to measure the speed of a vehicle moving through the vehicle imaging volume and to output detected vehicle speed data to the control unit. The control unit is arranged to automatically adjust the shutter speed of the cameras based on the detected vehicle speed data and to cause the cameras to capture one or more images with the adjusted shutter speed.

Abstract: The present disclosure can provide aerogel compositions which have a thermal storage capacity, and which are durable and easy to handle. The present disclosure can provide aerogel compositions which include PCM coatings, particle mixtures, or PCM materials confined within the porous network of an aerogel composition. The present disclosure can provide methods for producing aerogel compositions by coating an aerogel composition with PCM materials, by forming particle mixtures with PCM materials, or by confining PCM materials within the porous network of an aerogel composition.