Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, devices software, and methods for material manipulation and detection. For example, detection of a level of material in a container such using a material level detection system. For example, temperature conditioning of the material, e.g., during its conveyance. For example, facilitating continuous flow of the material in a junction of a material conveyance system. Any of the material level detection system, temperature conditioning system, and junction, may be part of, or operatively coupled to, other system(s), e.g., the material conveyance system and/or a 3D printing system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides manufacturing systems, devices, apparatuses, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media for detection and/or prevention of harm caused at least in part by malfunction in section(s) of a material conveyance system operatively coupled with a manufacturing enclosure experiencing pressure fluctuation during manufacturing. Coupling or decoupling of pressure fluctuations sensed in various portions of the material conveyance system with those occurring in the manufacturing enclosure, may indicate harm to the section(s) of the material conveyance system. The various portions may or may not be similar to the section(s). The manufacturing system may comprise a three-dimensional printing system.

Abstract: A process for delineating a population of electrode structures in a web includes laser ablating the web to form ablations in the web, each ablation being formed by removing a portion of an electrochemically active layer to thereby expose a portion of an electrically conductive layer. The process includes forming alignment features in the web that are formed at predetermined locations on the web. The process also includes laser machining the web to form weakened tear patterns in the web that delineate members of the electrode structure population, each of the delineated members being individually bounded, at least in part, by a member of the weakened tear patterns that is adapted to facilitate separation of delineated members, individually, from the web by an application of a force, the alignment features being used to aid in the formation of the weakened tear patterns.

Abstract: A secondary battery for cycling between a charged and a discharged state, wherein a 2D map of the median vertical position of the first opposing vertical end surface of the electrode active material in the X-Z plane, along the length LE of the electrode active material layer, traces a first vertical end surface plot, EVP1, a 2D map of the median vertical position of the first opposing vertical end surface of the counter-electrode active material layer in the X-Z plane, along the length LC of the counter-electrode active material layer, traces a first vertical end surface plot, CEVP1, wherein for at least 60% of the length Lc of the first counter-electrode active material layer (i) the absolute value of a separation distance, SZ1, between the plots EVP1 and CEVP1 measured in the vertical direction is 1000 ?m?|SZ1|?5 ?m.

Abstract: Secondary batteries and methods of manufacture thereof are provided. A secondary battery can comprise an offset between electrode and counter-electrode layers in a unit cell. Secondary batteries can be prepared by removing a population of negative electrode subunits from a negative electrode sheet, the negative electrode sheet comprising a negative electrode sheet edge margin and at least one negative electrode sheet weakened region that is internal to the negative electrode sheet edge margin, removing a population of separator layer subunits from a separator sheet, and removing a population of positive electrode subunits from a positive electrode sheet, the positive electrode sheet comprising a positive electrode edge margin and at least one positive electrode sheet weakened region that is internal to the positive electrode sheet edge margin, and stacking members of the negative electrode subunit population, the separator layer subunit population and the positive electrode subunit population.

Abstract: Embodiments of secondary batteries having electrode assemblies are provided. A secondary battery can comprise an electrode assembly having a stacked series of layers, the stacked series of layers having an offset between electrode and counter-electrode layers in a unit cell member of the stacked series. A set of constraints can be provided with a primary constraint system with first and second primary growth constraints separated from each other in a longitudinal direction, and connected by at least one primary connecting member, and a secondary constraint system comprises first and second secondary growth constraints separated in a second direction and connected by members of the stacked series of layers. The primary constraint system may at least partially restrain growth of the electrode assembly in the longitudinal direction, and the secondary constraint system may at least partially restrain growth in the second direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A locking retainer includes a flexible band including an outer surface, an inner surface substantially parallel to and spaced from the outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A first plug member is integrally attached to the first end of the flexible band and includes an extending member having a first end, a second end, and top and bottom surfaces. The first plug member includes a first prong extending from the top surface of the extending member, and a second prong extending from the bottom surface of the extending member. A second plug member integrally attached to the second end of the flexible band comprises a first and second leg that each has a first end and a second end, wherein the second leg is substantially parallel to and spaced from the first leg. A cavity is defined between the first ends of the first and the second legs. The second ends of the first leg and the second leg are joined.

Abstract: A locking retainer includes a flexible band including an outer surface, an inner surface substantially parallel to and spaced from the outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A first plug member is integrally attached to the first end of the flexible band and includes an extending member having a first end, a second end, and top and bottom surfaces. The first plug member includes a first prong extending from the top surface of the extending member, and a second prong extending from the bottom surface of the extending member. A second plug member integrally attached to the second end of the flexible band comprises a first and second leg that each has a first end and a second end, wherein the second leg is substantially parallel to and spaced from the first leg. A cavity is defined between the first ends of the first and the second legs. The second ends of the first leg and the second leg are joined.