Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, apps, and visualizations for floorspace management. In particular, some embodiments leverage mobile shopping and other technologies to identify when and where a customer selects items within a retail space and completes the purchase. This data is then stored and visualizations are generated from this data for areas and periods. Such embodiments enable identification of well-performing and under-performing areas of retail space based on criteria pertinent to the particular user.

Abstract: An electrochemical system includes: an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte; and at least one dielectrically heatable material.

Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte membrane includes an interlocking layered microstructure formed by melting and spraying of ionic conductive material for use in a battery system.

Abstract: Various embodiments include at least one of devices, systems, methods, and software systems and method enabling communication and signaling devices. One embodiment is in the form of a method that includes receiving, via a network, data from a mobile device of an authenticated customer, including data of items for purchase scanned by the mobile device and storing the data of the scanned items for purchase in a cart data structure associated with an account of the authenticated customer. The method also includes receiving, via the network, data indicating the mobile device is located at a pay station and payment data from the mobile device to pay for items represented in the cart data structure. This method further includes transmitting, via the network and in response to the received payment data, a payment confirmation to the mobile device generated upon successfully processing a payment for items in the cart data structure.

Abstract: A solid state ionic conductive electrolyte membrane may include a multi-channel porous support structure and a solid-state ionic conductive electrolyte. The multi-channel porous support structure may define a porous wall structure separating a first plurality of channels from a second plurality of channels, and a solid-state ionic conductive electrolyte may be positioned within pores of the porous wall structure of the multi-channel structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid state ionic conductive membrane includes forming a solid state ionic conductive membrane on a support scaffold and treating the support scaffold to be macro porous.

Abstract: A solid state ionic conductive electrolyte membrane may include a garnet-like structure oxide material. A solid state ionic conductive electrolyte membrane may include a multi-channel porous support structure and a solid state ionic conductive electrolyte in the multi-channel porous support structure. Systems and methods for selectively extracting alkaline metals include the solid state ionic conductive electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte material, comprising: a chalcogenide-based ionic-conductive structure comprising: one or more of lithium, sodium, aluminum, magnesium, iron, and potassium; one or more of sulfur, oxygen, selenium, and tellurium; one or more of boron, gallium, antimony, silicon, germanium, tin, phosphorus, and arsenic; and at least one of excess chalcogen and excess chalcogenide incorporated into the chalcogenide-based ionic-conductive structure.

Abstract: A composite solid-state electrolyte membrane is manufactured by a meltblown extrusion process. A solid-state battery and a method for manufacturing a solid-state battery includes the solid-state electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A solid-state battery comprising: a positive current collector; a negative current collector; a solid state electrolyte layer between the positive current collector and the negative current collector; and at least one of a catholyte gradient composite cathode structure between the positive current collector and the solid state electrolyte layer and an anolyte gradient composite anode structure between the negative current collector and the solid state electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A gradient multilayer structure for lithium batteries, a method for manufacturing thereof, and a lithium batteries comprise gradient multilayer structures. The multilayer structure has a porosity gradient with respect to adjacent layers of the multilayer structure or a solid-state ionic conductive material gradient with respect to adjacent layers of the multilayer structure.

Abstract: A container assembly includes a container defining a sealed chamber, a solid state electrolyte disposed in the chamber, and a hydrophobic substance protecting the solid state electrolyte. A method for preparing a solid state electrolyte includes positioning a solid state electrolyte in a chamber of a container, protecting the solid state electrolyte using a hydrophobic substance, and sealing the chamber. A method for extracting a solid state electrolyte includes positioning the container assembly of in a dry atmosphere, unsealing the chamber, and removing the solid state electrolyte from the chamber to the dry atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an access control apparatus for a barrier movement system that moves a barrier. The access control apparatus includes a near field communications (NFC) module, a radiofrequency (RF) module, and a controller coupled to the NFC module and RF module. The controller is configured to read an NFC signal from an authenticated external device, via the NFC module. In response to reading the NFC signal, the controller transmits a command signal, via the RF module, that commands the barrier movement system to move the barrier.

Abstract: The battery may include: an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte; at least one inductively heatable material or dielectrically heatable material in the electrolyte. Alternatively, the battery may include: an anode; a cathode; a solid electrolyte; at least one resistively heatable material in the solid electrolyte; and an electrically, ionically, or electrically and ionically insulative coating on the at least one resistively heatable material.

Abstract: A transaction is maintained in a shopping cart and processed by a transaction manager in cooperation with a transaction application of a user device. The status device displays a code that when obtained by user device and provided to the transaction manager links the cart to the status device. Acquisition of the code is an indication that the customer associated with the cart is ready to checkout and pay for the items in the cart. The entire payment processing between the application, the transaction manager, and a payment service is monitored by transaction manager. Payment processing statuses for the payment as it processes in real time are sent from the transaction manager to the status device. Status device displays payment status messages on a display of that device and/or illuminates colored lights and/or plays specialized audible sounds indicative of the statuses as the payment processing continues in real time.

Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte membrane includes a fabric support and a ceramic-polymer composite solid-state electrolyte on the fabric support. A secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and a solid-state electrolyte membrane. The solid-state electrolyte membrane includes a fabric support and a ceramic-polymer composite solid-state electrolyte on the fabric support. A method for manufacturing a solid-state electrolyte membrane includes coating a ceramic-polymer composite solid-state electrolyte on a fabric support.

Abstract: A transaction is maintained in a shopping cart and processed by a transaction manager in cooperation with a transaction application of a user device. The status device displays a code that when obtained by user device and provided to the transaction manager links the cart to the status device, Acquisition of the code is an indication that the customer associated with the cart is ready to checkout and pay for the items in the cart. The entire payment processing between the application, the transaction manager, and a payment service is monitored by transaction manager. Payment processing statuses for the payment as it processes in real time are sent from the transaction manager to the status device. Status device displays payment status messages on a display of that device and/or illuminates colored lights and/or plays specialized audible sounds indicative of the statuses as the payment processing continues in real time.

Abstract: A transaction is maintained in a shopping cart and processed by a transaction manager in cooperation with a transaction application of a user device. The status device displays a code that when obtained by user device and provided to the transaction manager links the cart to the status device. Acquisition of the code is an indication that the customer associated with the cart is ready to checkout and pay for the items in the cart. The entire payment processing between the application, the transaction manager, and a payment service is monitored by transaction manager. Payment processing statuses for the payment as it processes in real time are sent from the transaction manager to the status device. Status device displays payment status messages on a display of that device and/or illuminates colored lights and/or plays specialized audible sounds indicative of the statuses as the payment processing continues in real time.

Abstract: A redox flow battery includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a solid state ionic conductive membrane on a macro porous support scaffold between the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

Abstract: Cameras capture time-stamped images of customers, carts, and items possessed by the customers. Customer queues at checkout stations/transaction terminals are monitored for queue lengths, opened terminals, closed terminals, and a total number of items possessed by each customer within each queue. Queue wait times are calculated for each queue and the queue wait times are displayed on monitors adjacent to the queues. Customers approaching the checkout stations are directed to specific queues based on the queue wait times. Closed terminals are opened in advance of a time when a shortest expected wait time for the queues is expected to exceed a threshold wait time. In an embodiment, each queue length is managed based on staff performance metrics associated with staff operating the terminals.