Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly (500) includes a first cell and a second cell. The first cell can include a first anode (503) and a first cathode (504), wound in a first jellyroll assembly (501) with a first jellyroll assembly exterior defined by the first cathode. The second cell can include a second anode (512) and a second cathode (513), wound in a second jellyroll assembly (502) with a second jellyroll assembly exterior defined by the second anode. The first cell and the second cell can be arranged in a housing with the first jellyroll assembly exterior adjacent to the second jellyroll assembly exterior to improve energy density. The first cell assembly and the second cell assembly can have different widths to create differently shaped cell assemblies.

Abstract: A method (900) of reducing variation of an energy storage capacity of a battery across its cycle life is disclosed. The method can include the step (901) of monitoring one or more voltages of one or more cells of a battery for a predetermined discharge usage time. Where a profile of the one or more voltages during the predetermined discharge usage time meets a predefined usage criterion, the method can include the step (907) of increasing a discharge voltage limit of the one or more cells. An energy management circuit (614) can be configured with a control circuit (702) operable to increase the discharge limit and to limit discharge of the cells when the discharge limit is reached.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly (500) includes a first cell and a second cell. The first cell can include a first anode (503) and a first cathode (504), wound in a first jellyroll assembly (501) with a first jellyroll assembly exterior defined by the first cathode. The second cell can include a second anode (512) and a second cathode (513), wound in a second jellyroll assembly (502) with a second jellyroll assembly exterior defined by the second anode. The first cell and the second cell can be arranged in a housing with the first jellyroll assembly exterior adjacent to the second jellyroll assembly exterior to improve energy density. The first cell assembly and the second cell assembly can have different widths to create differently shaped cell assemblies.

Abstract: An assembly includes a receiver housing (401) defining a plurality of bays (403,404,405,406,407). Each bay can be separated by a flexible connector section (411,412,413,414). A plurality of electrochemical cells can be disposed in the plurality of bays. A first common conductor (301) can be coupled to each anode of each electrochemical cell, and a second common conductor (302) can be coupled to each cathode of the each electrochemical cell. A cover housing (402) can be coupled to the receiver housing to enclose the plurality of electrochemical cells in the plurality of bays. An exterior housing can be applied to form a wearable strap for, and to power, an electronic device (800).

Abstract: A mobile electronic device with an enhanced battery pack construction is shown. The mobile electronic device (10) includes: a housing (12) including a front housing (14) and a rear housing (16) having a reservoir area (18); a user interface (20) connected to the front housing (14); and a battery pack (22) including a planar inwardly facing surface (24) and a nonplanar outwardly facing surface (26), the nonplanar outwardly facing surface (26) being substantially complementarily configured to be received in the reservoir area (18) of the rear housing (16). Advantageously, this construction helps to provide a uniquely shaped mobile electronic device with enhanced ergonomics, adapted to be comfortably held in a user's hand and can conform to a user's palm. Advantageously, this construction is adapted to accommodating expansion and contraction of the battery pack (22), when it comprises a Lithium Ion Polymer, in one embodiment.

Abstract: A method (900) of reducing variation of an energy storage capacity of a battery across its cycle life is disclosed. The method can include the step (901) of monitoring one or more voltages of one or more cells of a battery for a predetermined discharge usage time. Where a profile of the one or more voltages during the predetermined discharge usage time meets a predefined usage criterion, the method can include the step (907) of increasing a discharge voltage limit of the one or more cells. An energy management circuit (614) can be configured with a control circuit (702) operable to increase the discharge limit and to limit discharge of the cells when the discharge limit is reached.

Abstract: A battery pack with reduced magnetic field emissions includes a plurality of cells (1301,1302) coupled electrically together by a first electrical conductor (1307) and a second electrical conductor (1308). The first electrical conductor (1307) couples positive terminals (1305,1306) to a terminal block (1311), while the second electrical conductor (1308) couples the negative terminals (1303,1304) to the terminal block (1311). Each cell (1301,1302) contains an asymmetrical internal electrode construction (1313,1314) having electrical tabs (502,503) coupled to a cathode and anode. The cells (1301,1302) can be arranged with their corresponding asymmetrical internal electrode constructions (1313,1314) oriented in different directions to reduce magnetic field emissions. The first electrical conductor (1307) and second electrical conductor (1308) can be routed such that magnetic fields generated by discharge currents tend to reduce other magnetic fields produced by other components within the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack with reduced magnetic field emissions includes a plurality of cells (1301,1302) coupled electrically together by a first electrical conductor (1307) and a second electrical conductor (1308). The first electrical conductor (1307) couples positive terminals (1305,1306) to a terminal block (1311), while the second electrical conductor (1308) couples the negative terminals (1303,1304) to the terminal block (1311). Each cell (1301,1302) contains an asymmetrical internal electrode construction (1313,1314) having electrical tabs (502,503) coupled to a cathode and anode. The cells (1301,1302) can be arranged with their corresponding asymmetrical internal electrode constructions (1313,1314) oriented in different directions to reduce magnetic field emissions. The first electrical conductor (1307) and second electrical conductor (1308) can be routed such that magnetic fields generated by discharge currents tend to reduce other magnetic fields produced by other components within the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack having reduced magnetic emitted noise includes a housing having an electrode assembly (700) disposed therein. The electrode assembly (700) includes a cell stack comprising a cathode (701) and an anode (702) with a separator disposed therebetween. The cell stack of the electrode assembly (700) has a first end (705) and a second end (706). A first electrical conductor (703) coupled to the anode (702) at the first end (705) of the cell stack. A second electrical conductor (704) coupled to the cathode (701) at the first end (705) of the cell stack. The first electrical conductor (703) and second electrical conductor (704) can be configured with different lengths, geometrical shapes, or placement locations such that during discharge, current (711,712) passes across the cathode (701) and anode (702) in substantially opposite directions at a substantially similar magnitude so as to reduce magnetic field noise generated by the electrode assembly (700).

Abstract: A system for validating refillable fuel cartridges is provided. The system includes a first device (302) and a second device (304). The first device is a refillable fuel cartridge that can be used in an electronic device (100). The first device includes a first access controller (306), a first transceiver (308), and a first fuel container (312). The first access controller authenticates the second device by using a first pre-specified authentication technique. The first transceiver receives an authentication query from the second device and the first fuel container stores fuel. The second device includes a second access controller (316), a second transceiver (318), and a second fuel container (322). The second access controller authenticates the first device by using a second pre-specified authentication technique. The second transceiver receives an authentication query from the first device and the second fuel container stores fuel.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including: a semiconductor material; a conductive element; and a substantially monocrystalline insulator disposed between the semiconductor material and the conductive element and substantially lattice matched to the semiconductor material.

Abstract: A method and system for incentive based content advertising using proxies in an ad hoc network. The method comprises of identifying (205) one or more proxy nodes that volunteer to provide content advertising services, based on one or more predefined parameters. Further, the method comprises of sharing (215) the information pertaining to one or more services between the server node and the one or more proxy nodes. The method also includes channeling (515) of incentives as payment to the one or more proxy nodes for providing content advertising services.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack (52) includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies (12) having evenly distributed fuel concentration across an anode (24), and efficient cooling across a cathode (26). A first plate (14) has a fuel side (28) with a plurality of serpentine channels (40) formed therein for distributing fuel across the anode (24), and a second plate (16) has an oxidant side (30) with oxidant channels (42) formed therein for distributing an oxidant across the cathode (26). The membrane electrode assembly (12) has an even fuel concentration thereacross, and the oxidant is routed through the cell (10) at least twice for absorbing heat prior to being distributed across the cathode (26).

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a capacitor having a substrate, a conductive element and an insulator. The insulator comprises a substantially monocrystalline material having a relatively high dielectric constant. The semiconductor apparatus may further include a supplemental layer having a depletion zone, suitably comprised of a high-resistivity semiconductor material, for forming a voltage-variable capacitor. To facilitate the growth of the insulator and/or other layers, the various layers are suitably lattice matched. Further, the apparatus may include one or more interface layers to facilitate lattice-matching of the various layers.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is protected by monitoring at least one fuel cell parameter, comparing the parameter to a preset level, and disconnecting or reconnecting a main load in response to the fuel cell parameter. For example, a fuel cell system (300) is provided with a protection circuit (304, 308) that prevents operation of the fuel cells in the negative dP/dI region. System (300) includes a stack of fuel cells (302) connected in series and coupled to a main load (310). A controller (304) provides a control signal (314) based on the individual fuel cell voltage levels falling above or below a preset level. Control signal (314)is used to control a load switch (308)coupled between the stack of fuel cells (302) and the main load (310). The load switch (308) disconnects the main load (310) in order to prevent operation of the fuel cell cells in the negative dP/dI region.

Abstract: High quality epitaxial layers of monocrystalline materials can be grown overlying large silicon wafers by first growing an accommodating buffer layer (104) on a silicon wafer (102). The accommodating buffer layer (104) is a layer of monocrystalline material spaced apart from the silicon wafer (102) by an amorphous interface layer (108) of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline accommodating buffer layer. Any lattice mismatch between the accommodating buffer layer and the underlying silicon substrate is taken care of by the amorphous interface layer. Utilizing this technique permits the fabrication of thin film pyroelectric devices (150) on a monocrystalline silicon substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a capacitor having a substrate, a conductive element and an insulator. The insulator comprises a substantially monocrystalline material having a relatively high dielectric constant. The semiconductor apparatus may further include a supplemental layer having a depletion zone, suitably comprised of a high-resistivity semiconductor material, for forming a voltage-variable capacitor. To facilitate the growth of the insulator and/or other layers, the various layers are suitably lattice matched. Further, the apparatus may include one or more interface layers to facilitate lattice-matching of the various layers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a field effect transistor including doping a continuous blanket layer in a semiconductor substrate structure adjacent the surface to include a source area and a drain area spaced from the source area. A high dielectric constant insulator layer is positioned on the surface of the semiconductor substrate structure overlying the continuous blanket layer to define a gate area between the source and drain areas. A gate contact on the insulator layer is selected to provide a work function difference that depletes the doped layer beneath the insulator layer. Further, the doped layer depth and dosage are designed such that the doped layer is depleted beneath the insulator layer by the selected work function difference of the gate contact and the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A quantum structure (300) having photo-catalytic properties includes a monocrystalline substrate (302) and a monocrystalline metal oxide layer (308) formed of a material comprising titanium and oxygen and epitaxially grown overlying the substrate. The quantum structure further includes self-assembled quantum dots (312) disposed on the monocrystalline metal oxide layer and formed of a material comprising copper and oxygen.

Abstract: High quality epitaxial layers of monocrystalline materials can be grown overlying large silicon wafers by first growing an accommodating buffer layer (104) on a silicon wafer (102). The accommodating buffer layer (104) is a layer of monocrystalline material spaced apart from the silicon wafer (102) by an amorphous interface layer (108) of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline accommodating buffer layer. Any lattice mismatch between the accommodating buffer layer and the underlying silicon substrate is taken care of by the amorphous interface layer. Utilizing this technique permits the fabrication of thin film pyroelectric devices (150) on a monocrystalline silicon substrate.