Abstract: A pressing machine includes pressing devices, actuators and a control module. At least one of the pressing devices includes a surface having a fluoropolymer material. At least one of the actuators is configured to adjust pressure of the pressing devices on one or more lithium foils, such that the surface presses against one of the one or more lithium foils to form a protective layer. The control module is configured to control the at least one of the actuators to adjust a parameter to control at least one of thickness of the protective layer and fluoride content of the protective layer.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a secondary lithium battery is provided herein, as well as a method for assembling a secondary lithium battery including the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a current collector having a first side and an opposite second side. A first negative electrode layer is disposed on the first side of the current collector and a second negative electrode layer is disposed on the second side of the current collector. A lithium metal layer is disposed (i) between the first and second negative electrode layers or (ii) on a major facing surface of the first or second negative electrode layer. An electrolyte infiltrates the first and second negative electrode layers and is in contact with the lithium metal layer. The electrolyte establishes a lithium ion transport path between the lithium metal layer and at least one of the first or second negative electrode layers.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a secondary lithium battery is provided herein, as well as a method for assembling a secondary lithium battery including the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a current collector having a first side and an opposite second side. A first negative electrode layer is disposed on the first side of the current collector and a second negative electrode layer is disposed on the second side of the current collector. A lithium metal layer is disposed (i) between the first and second negative electrode layers or (ii) on a major facing surface of the first or second negative electrode layer. An electrolyte infiltrates the first and second negative electrode layers and is in contact with the lithium metal layer. The electrolyte establishes a lithium ion transport path between the lithium metal layer and at least one of the first or second negative electrode layers.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition for electrochemical cells including a silicon-containing electrode is provided herein as well as electrochemical cells including the electrolyte composition. The electrolyte composition includes a lithium salt, fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), a linear carbonate, vinylene carbonate, and a fluorosilane additive. The FEC and the linear carbonate are present in the electrolyte composition in a ratio of about 1:3 v/v to about 1:9 v/v.

Abstract: An exemplary system for storage and deployment of a drone from a vehicle includes a platform having a platform surface including a magnetic latching system configured to releasably secure the drone to the platform surface, a storage member enclosing the platform, the storage member defining a storage volume configured to enclose the drone when the drone is secured to the platform, an actuator configured to move the platform relative to the storage member, the platform movable between an enclosed position and an unenclosed position, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the at least one controller being configured to, in response to satisfaction of a first operating condition, control the actuator to move the platform to the unenclosed position, and, in response to satisfaction of a second operating condition, control the actuator to move the platform to the enclosed position.

Abstract: A drone landing method and system are provided. The method includes illuminator configured to determining a position and a speed of a vehicle based on vehicle information received via wireless communication, synchronizing the speed of the drone to the speed of the vehicle and maneuvering a drone to a position above a landing point on the vehicle based on the vehicle information, and landing the drone at the landing point of the vehicle.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a plasma reactor disposed upstream of a selective catalytic reactor device. The plasma reactor is electrically connected to a plasma controller. The plasma controller controls the plasma reactor to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream, and the ozone reacts to oxidize nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas feedstream to form nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen dioxide reacts with a reductant in the selective catalytic reactor device to form elemental nitrogen and water.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream that is expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a barrier discharge plasma reactor that is disposed upstream relative to a catalytic reactor and electrically connected to a plasma controller. The barrier discharge plasma reactor is controlled to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at a lean air/fuel ratio and at a low temperature condition. The generated ozone reacts, in the catalytic reactor, to oxidize non-methane hydrocarbons contained in the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at lean air/fuel ratio and at low temperature conditions.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a plasma reactor disposed upstream of a selective catalytic reactor device. The plasma reactor is electrically connected to a plasma controller. The plasma controller controls the plasma reactor to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream, and the ozone reacts to oxidize nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas feedstream to form nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen dioxide reacts with a reductant in the selective catalytic reactor device to form elemental nitrogen and water.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream that is expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a barrier discharge plasma reactor that is disposed upstream relative to a catalytic reactor and electrically connected to a plasma controller. The barrier discharge plasma reactor is controlled to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at a lean air/fuel ratio and at a low temperature condition. The generated ozone reacts, in the catalytic reactor, to oxidize non-methane hydrocarbons contained in the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at lean air/fuel ratio and at low temperature conditions.

Abstract: A method for controlling ammonia generation in an exhaust gas feedstream output from an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system including a first aftertreatment device includes executing an ammonia generation cycle to generate ammonia on the first aftertreatment device. A desired air-fuel ratio output from the engine and entering the exhaust aftertreatment system conducive for generating ammonia on the first aftertreatment device is determined. Operation of a selected combination of a plurality of cylinders of the engine is selectively altered to achieve the desired air-fuel ratio entering the exhaust aftertreatment system.

Abstract: A spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine is coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a three-way catalytic converter upstream of an NH3-SCR catalyst. A method for operating the engine includes operating the engine in a fuel cutoff mode and coincidentally executing a second fuel injection control scheme upon detecting an engine load that permits operation in the fuel cutoff mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling ammonia generation in an exhaust gas feedstream output from an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system including a first aftertreatment device includes executing an ammonia generation cycle to generate ammonia on the first aftertreatment device. A desired air-fuel ratio output from the engine and entering the exhaust aftertreatment system conducive for generating ammonia on the first aftertreatment device is determined. Operation of a selected combination of a plurality of cylinders of the engine is selectively altered to achieve the desired air-fuel ratio entering the exhaust aftertreatment system.

Abstract: A method for controlling ammonia generation in an exhaust gas feedstream output from an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system having a first aftertreatment device includes executing an ammonia generation cycle to generate ammonia on the first aftertreatment device. The ammonia generation cycle includes monitoring an air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas feedstream at a first location in the exhaust aftertreatment system, and monitoring an air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas feedstream at a second location in the exhaust aftertreatment system. The air-fuel ratio at the first location is compared to the air-fuel ratio at the second location. If the air-fuel ratio at the second location is richer than the air-fuel ratio at the first location, operation of the engine is adjusted until the air-fuel ratio at the second location is equal to the air-fuel ratio at the first location.

Abstract: A spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine is coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a three-way catalytic converter upstream of an NH3-SCR catalyst. A method for operating the engine includes operating the engine in a fuel cutoff mode and coincidentally executing a second fuel injection control scheme upon detecting an engine load that permits operation in the fuel cutoff mode.

Abstract: A system and method of engine thermal management. Energy may be received from a solar energy source electrically connected to a vehicle propulsion system. At least some of the energy from the solar energy source may be used to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system. A control module may provide at least some of the energy from the solar energy source to a heater, for example, to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system prior to starting the vehicle propulsion system. The heater may heat the vehicle propulsion system to temperatures within a predetermined range associated with optimal efficiency of the vehicle propulsion system.