Abstract: Described herein are battery modules and methods of fabricating thereof. In some examples, a battery module comprises an enclosure, separated into two enclosure portions and a thermal portion, positioned between the two enclosure portions. Two enclosure portions are in part defined by side walls, which can be tapered. The thermal portion comprises two thermal walls, which are operable as the bottoms of the two enclosure portions and form a thermal cavity between these thermal walls. In some examples, the enclosure is a monolithically cast component. Alternatively, the enclosure can be partially cast with one thermal wall welded thereafter to a cast subassembly. The battery module also comprises two sets of batteries, each positioned into a corresponding enclosure portion. Each battery set is interconnected with an interconnecting assembly, positioned between the battery set and the corresponding cover, for this enclosure portion.

Abstract: Described herein are battery packs and electric vehicles using these packs. In some examples, a battery pack comprises two portions/covers and a set of battery modules positioned within the enclosed cavity formed by these portions. A battery pack may comprise a set of pressure-relief valves positioned in and protruding through a wall of at least one portion. Each valve can be coaxial with a corresponding gap provided between two adjacent modules. The valve is configured to provide a fluid path (to the exterior of the battery pack) when the pressure inside the pack exceeds a set threshold. In some examples, the battery pack comprises an inlet tube fluidically coupled to the inlet port of each module and an outlet tube fluidically coupled to the outlet port of each module. A set of specially configured orifices or controllable valves is positioned on the fluid path through each module.

Abstract: A system performs static program analysis with artifact reuse. The system identifies artifacts associated with the software program being analyzed. The system processes the identified artifacts for performing static program analysis and transmits either the artifacts or identifiers for the artifacts to a second processing device for performing program analysis. The second processing device receives the artifacts and uses the received identifiers to retrieve the artifacts from a networked storage system. The second device also retrieves stored summaries of previous program analysis from the networked storage system. The program analysis uses the retrieved artifacts to generate work units for static program analysis. The analysis is performed only for those work units that are determined to remain unchanged from previous static program analysis cycles.

Abstract: Ceramic and ceramic composite components suitable for high temperature applications and methods of manufacturing such components. The components are formed by a displacive compensation of porosity (DCP) process and are suitable for use at operating temperatures above 600° C., and preferably above 1400° C., and possess superior mechanical properties.

Abstract: A video game includes a single player mode where completion of storyline objectives advances the single player storyline. The video game also includes a multiplayer mode where a plurality of players can play on an instance of a multiplayer map. Storyline objectives from the single player mode are selected and made available for completion to players in the multiplayer mode, and the single player storylines can be advanced by players completing respective storyline objectives while playing in the multiplayer mode. Combinations of storyline objectives are selected from pending storyline objectives for players connecting to a multiplayer game for compatibility with multiplayer maps. Constraints can be used to determine compatibility.

Abstract: Described herein are battery packs and electric vehicles using these packs. In some examples, a battery pack comprises two portions/covers and a set of battery modules positioned within the enclosed cavity formed by these portions. A battery pack may comprise a set of pressure-relief valves positioned in and protruding through a wall of at least one portion. Each valve can be coaxial with a corresponding gap provided between two adjacent modules. The valve is configured to provide a fluid path (to the exterior of the battery pack) when the pressure inside the pack exceeds a set threshold. In some examples, the battery pack comprises an inlet tube fluidically coupled to the inlet port of each module and an outlet tube fluidically coupled to the outlet port of each module. A set of specially configured orifices or controllable valves is positioned on the fluid path through each module.

Abstract: Described herein are battery modules and methods of fabricating thereof. In some examples, a battery module comprises an enclosure, separated into two enclosure portions and a thermal portion, positioned between the two enclosure portions. Two enclosure portions are in part defined by side walls, which can be tapered. The thermal portion comprises two thermal walls, which are operable as the bottoms of the two enclosure portions and form a thermal cavity between these thermal walls. In some examples, the enclosure is a monolithically cast component. Alternatively, the enclosure can be partially cast with one thermal wall welded thereafter to a cast subassembly. The battery module also comprises two sets of batteries, each positioned into a corresponding enclosure portion. Each battery set is interconnected with an interconnecting assembly, positioned between the battery set and the corresponding cover, for this enclosure portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of generating and administering online exams that inherently deter cheating. It provides a method for generating an examination question. The method includes defining a parametric question template including a plurality of parameters, where each of the plurality of parameters has a plurality of possible values. Then receiving a request to generate a plurality of examinations utilizing the parametric question and generating a question by substituting one of the plurality of possible values for each of the plurality of parameters. Finally, generating an identifier of the question including a combination of the substituted possible values for each of the plurality of parameters of the question.

Abstract: Methods for forming micro- and/or nano-structures on the surfaces of a device and devices made thereby. The methods include exposing the surfaces of the device having an initial microstructure to an oxidizing environment at a first elevated temperature so as to form a first oxide scale on the device surfaces, exposing the first oxide scale to a reducing agent at a second elevated temperature so as to convert or partially convert the first oxide scale into a composite scale that includes a second oxide and a first metal, and exposing the composite scale to a dissolution agent that selectively dissolves part or all of the second oxide so as to yield a porous surface layer that includes the first metal.

Abstract: Methods, materials systems, and devices for inhibiting the infiltration and penetration of molten salts into solid materials, including porous materials at temperatures above the solidus temperature of the molten salt. The methods, materials systems, and devices utilize a non-wetted solid that is introduced into pores having entrances at an exterior surface of a porous solid material adapted to contact the molten salt.

Abstract: Methods for producing final bodies that contain a fine-grained refractory complex concentrated alloy (RCCA), as well as RCCAs, intermediate materials and final bodies containing the RCCAs, and high-temperature devices formed by such final bodies. Such a method includes providing a precursor with one or more precursor compounds containing elements of an RCCA, reducing the precursor compounds in the precursor via reaction with a reducing agent so as to generate the RCCA and a compound comprising a product of the reaction between the reducing agent and the precursor compounds, generating a solid material that contains at least the RCCA, forming with the solid material a porous intermediate body, and consolidating the porous intermediate body so as to partially or completely remove the pore volume from the porous intermediate body, and in doing so yield either a denser final body or a denser film.

Abstract: Methods for producing final bodies that contain a fine-grained refractory complex concentrated alloy (RCCA), as well as RCCAs, intermediate materials and final bodies containing the RCCAs, and high-temperature devices formed by such final bodies. Such a method includes providing a precursor with one or more precursor compounds containing elements of an RCCA, reducing the precursor compounds in the precursor via reaction with a reducing agent so as to generate the RCCA and a compound comprising a product of the reaction between the reducing agent and the precursor compounds, generating a solid material that contains at least the RCCA, forming with the solid material a porous intermediate body, and consolidating the porous intermediate body so as to partially or completely remove the pore volume from the porous intermediate body, and in doing so yield either a denser final body or a denser film.

Abstract: Methods for forming micro- and/or nano-structures on the surfaces of a device and devices made thereby. The methods include exposing the surfaces of the device having an initial microstructure to an oxidizing environment at a first elevated temperature so as to form a first oxide scale on the device surfaces, exposing the first oxide scale to a reducing agent at a second elevated temperature so as to convert or partially convert the first oxide scale into a composite scale that includes a second oxide and a first metal, and exposing the composite scale to a dissolution agent that selectively dissolves part or all of the second oxide so as to yield a porous surface layer that includes the first metal.

Abstract: A shading device is provided which is removably engageable to provide shade protection from direct sunlight for the graphic display panels and steering wheel of a boat. The shading device is stretchable from a first shape to a second shape where it is maintained in a biased engagement with the boat steering wheel to thereby shade the steering wheel and any graphic displays adjacent thereto from direct sunlight.

Abstract: Thermally-conductive ceramic and ceramic composite components suitable for high temperature applications, systems having such components, and methods of manufacturing such components. The thermally-conductive components are formed by a displacive compensation of porosity (DCP) process and are suitable for use at operating temperatures above 600° C. without a significant reduction in thermal and mechanical properties.

Abstract: Heat transfer/storage fluids that are resistant to oxidation in air at elevated temperatures, and systems that utilize such heat transfer/storage fluids, for example, as part of a concentrating solar power (CSP) system or other electricity-generating systems. The heat transfer/storage fluid is a molten chloride solution comprising two or more chlorides selected from the group consisting of CaCl2, SrCl2, BaCl2, NaCl, and KCl.

Abstract: Materials systems resistant to penetration of molten salts and may be present within a molten-salt-facing wall of a device for containing a molten salt bath at an elevated temperature, and molten-salt-facing walls and devices formed by such materials systems. A first layer of such a system defines an outer surface for direct contact with the molten salt bath, and resists erosion and corrosion and is penetrable by the molten salt at the elevated temperature. A second layer is located adjacent to the first layer and exhibits little or no wetting by the molten salt so that at least a portion of a thickness of the second layer is not penetrable by the molten salt. A third layer is located adjacent to the second layer and is porous and exhibits a low thermal conductivity at the elevated temperature.

Abstract: Methods for producing final bodies that contain a fine-grained refractory complex concentrated alloy (RCCA), as well as RCCAs, intermediate materials and final bodies containing the RCCAs, and high-temperature devices formed by such final bodies. Such a method includes providing a precursor with one or more precursor compounds containing elements of an RCCA, reducing the precursor compounds in the precursor via reaction with a reducing agent so as to generate the RCCA and a compound comprising a product of the reaction between the reducing agent and the precursor compounds, generating a solid material that contains at least the RCCA, forming with the solid material a porous intermediate body, and consolidating the porous intermediate body so as to partially or completely remove the pore volume from the porous intermediate body, and in doing so yield either a denser final body or a denser film.

Abstract: Methods, materials systems, and devices for inhibiting the infiltration and penetration of molten salts into solid materials, including porous materials at temperatures above the solidus temperature of the molten salt. The methods, materials systems, and devices utilize a non-wetted solid that is introduced into pores having entrances at an exterior surface of a porous solid material adapted to contact the molten salt.

Abstract: Heat transfer/storage fluids that are resistant to oxidation in air at elevated temperatures, and systems that utilize such heat transfer/storage fluids, for example, as part of a concentrating solar power (CSP) system or other electricity-generating systems. The heat transfer/storage fluid is a molten chloride solution comprising two or more chlorides selected from the group consisting of CaCl2, SrCl2, BaCl2, NaCl, and KCl.