Abstract: A method of operating a 3-D printer apparatus includes a tank structure with a bottom wall with a printing area defined above and spaced apart from the bottom wall. A gas permeable liquid within the tank overlays the bottom wall of the tank structure defining a first mobile layer below the printing area. An inhibition liquid within the tank overlays the gas permeable liquid defining a second mobile layer below the printing area. A polymerizable resin overlays the inhibition liquid and flows into the printing area. Positioning of an object carrier controlled such that a lower surface of the object carrier is initially located within the polymerizable resin and within the printing area. Operation of a resin curing device beneath the bottom wall provides light to the printing area polymerizing predetermined portions of the polymerizable resin forming an object attached to the lower surface of the object carrier.

Abstract: The present application discloses an identification circuit for a power-line carrier signal. During signal transmission on a power line, the amplitude change and duration of a voltage signal on the power line are identified and then decoded into corresponding data, so as to reduce dependency on a power supply voltage during signal identification, and prevent the signal identification rate from decreasing as a result of an increase in the transmission distance, thereby reducing requirements for a system power supply.

Abstract: A lithium metal battery has a cathode current collector, a cathode active material layer, an electrolyte, and an anode current collector host structure interfacing with the electrolyte. The anode current collector host structure comprises a conductive layer, a non-conductive layer on the conductive layer, and recesses formed through the non-conductive layer and into the conductive layer, each recess having an opening in the non-conductive layer with a width that is smaller than a largest width of the recess.

Abstract: A vehicle tire assembly having a plurality of flexible spoke portions that extend from an outer annular ring to and inner annular ring. Adjacent pairs of the flexible spoke portions define a plurality of gaps therebetween. A plurality of electro-active members, are disposed radially inward from the outer annular ring and radially outward of the inner ring. The plurality of electro-active members are configured such that in the absence of an electric current flowing therethrough, the plurality of electro-active members flex in response to flexing of the plurality of flexible spoke portions. In the presence of an electric current flowing through the plurality of electro-active members, the plurality of electro-active members become more rigid and less flexible adding corresponding stiffness to the plurality of flexible spoke portions.

Abstract: A method of operating a 3-D printer apparatus includes a tank structure with a bottom wall with a printing area defined above and spaced apart from the bottom wall. A gas permeable liquid within the tank overlays the bottom wall of the tank structure defining a first mobile layer below the printing area. An inhibition liquid within the tank overlays the gas permeable liquid defining a second mobile layer below the printing area. A polymerizable resin overlays the inhibition liquid and flows into the printing area. Positioning of an object carrier controlled such that a lower surface of the object carrier is initially located within the polymerizable resin and within the printing area. Operation of a resin curing device beneath the bottom wall provides light to the printing area polymerizing predetermined portions of the polymerizable resin forming an object attached to the lower surface of the object carrier.

Abstract: A lithium metal battery has a cathode current collector, a cathode active material layer, an electrolyte, and an anode current collector host structure interfacing with the electrolyte. The anode current collector host structure comprises a conductive layer, a non-conductive layer on the conductive layer, and recesses formed through the non-conductive layer and into the conductive layer, each recess having an opening in the non-conductive layer with a width that is smaller than a largest width of the recess.

Abstract: A vehicle tire assembly having a plurality of flexible spoke portions that extend from an outer annular ring to and inner annular ring. Adjacent pairs of the flexible spoke portions define a plurality of gaps therebetween. A plurality of electro-active members, are disposed radially inward from the outer annular ring and radially outward of the inner ring. The plurality of electro-active members are configured such that in the absence of an electric current flowing therethrough, the plurality of electro-active members flex in response to flexing of the plurality of flexible spoke portions. In the presence of an electric current flowing through the plurality of electro-active members, the plurality of electro-active members become more rigid and less flexible adding corresponding stiffness to the plurality of flexible spoke portions.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane assembly includes a polymer electrolyte membrane layer positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode. The polymer electrolyte membrane layer can be made from a composition including a polymer matrix, a plasticizer, and an ionic material. The polymer electrolyte membrane assembly may be utilized to harvest electrical energy by allowing the polymer electrolyte membrane assembly to bend to thereby produce a second ion concentration gradient different from an initial ion concentration gradient.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane assembly includes a polymer electrolyte membrane layer positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode. The polymer electrolyte membrane layer can be made from a composition including a polymer matrix, a plasticizer, and an ionic material. The polymer electrolyte membrane assembly may be utilized to harvest electrical energy by allowing the polymer electrolyte membrane assembly to bend to thereby produce a second ion concentration gradient different from an initial ion concentration gradient.