Abstract: An electrode includes a current collector, a metal shell in direct contact with and encapsulating the current collector, green dendritic columnar growths extending out of the metal shell and having protrusions thereon, and active material in contact with the metal shell and having embedded therein the green dendritic columnar growths. The protrusions penetrate the active material to form a mechanical retainer that prevents delamination of the active material from the metal shell and define localized regions of increased current density during operation of the electrode that promote deposition of the active material first on the protrusions and then on areas of the green dendritic columnar growths adjacent to the protrusions such that the active material electrochemically adheres to the green dendritic columnar growths and the protrusions enlarge during repeated charge and discharge cycling of the electrode.

Abstract: An electrode includes a current collector, a metal shell in direct contact with and encapsulating the current collector, green dendritic columnar growths extending out of the metal shell and having protrusions thereon, and active material in contact with the metal shell and having embedded therein the green dendritic columnar growths. The protrusions penetrate the active material to form a mechanical retainer that prevents delamination of the active material from the metal shell and define localized regions of increased current density during operation of the electrode that promote deposition of the active material first on the protrusions and then on areas of the green dendritic columnar growths adjacent to the protrusions such that the active material electrochemically adheres to the green dendritic columnar growths and the protrusions enlarge during repeated charge and discharge cycling of the electrode.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system includes a central monitoring system and a set of individual battery selectors. The central monitoring system is electrically connected to the battery selectors and each of the battery selectors is connected to one or more batteries. In operation, commands are sent from the central monitoring system to the individual battery selectors so as to turn one on at a time. When the battery selector is on, test and response signals can be communicated between the one or more batteries connected to the battery selector and the central monitoring system. In some embodiments, the batteries include a reference circuit configured for calibration of battery tests.

Abstract: A temperature is measured for each terminal of the battery unit. The magnitude and sign of a temperature differential is calculated from the temperatures. The temperature differential is then correlated to a deteriorating condition of the battery unit.

Abstract: DC offsets introduced in battery testing equipment are automatically compensated for using complementary current-mode servo feedback. An op amp receives and amplifies a response signal, while also introducing internal errors manifested in the amplified response signal. A correction circuitry coupled to receive the amplified response signal and comprising a balanced circuit with a positive input correction device and a negative input correction device to remove the DC bias. The correction circuitry further comprises an error sensing device to correct for the internal errors introduced by the op amp.

Abstract: DC offsets introduced in battery testing equipment are automatically compensated for using complementary current-mode servo feedback. An op amp receives and amplifies a response signal, while also introducing internal errors manifested in the amplified response signal. A correction circuitry coupled to receive the amplified response signal and comprising a balanced circuit with a positive input correction device and a negative input correction device to remove the DC bias. The correction circuitry further comprises an error sensing device to correct for the internal errors introduced by the op amp.

Abstract: A temperature is measured for each terminal of the battery unit. The magnitude and sign of a temperature differential is calculated from the temperatures. The temperature differential is then correlated to a deteriorating condition of the battery unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for capturing and analyzing the total electrical response to a time-varying electrical stimulation of a system or device containing electrochemically active biological or non-biological substances. The response can be either a time-varying voltage (in the case of current-mode stimulation), or a time-varying current (in the case of voltage-mode stimulation). Using synchronous data acquisition technology and advanced data analysis, the method yields not only the idealized 2-parameter information (e.g., phase and amplitude) provided by conventional methods, but also parameters extracted from non-ideal features of the response waveform that are suppressed by impedance methods. By extracting the full range of response characteristics, the method yields a multi-parameter representation of the system or device under test.

Abstract: A time varying electrical excitation(s) is applied to a system containing biologic and/or non-biologic elements, whereupon the time-varying electrochemical or electrical response is detected and analyzed. For biologic specimens, the presence, activity, concentration or relative quantity, and certain inherent characteristics of certain target substances (hereinafter referred to as “target analytes”) within, or comprising, the specimen of interest may be determined by measuring either the current response induced by a voltage-mode excitation, or the voltage response induced by a current-mode excitation. Labeling or marker techniques may be employed, whereby electrochemically active auxiliary molecules are attached to the substance to be analyzed, in order to facilitate or enhance the electrochemical or electrical response.

Abstract: A time varying electrical excitation(s) is applied to a system containing biologic and/or non-biologic elements, whereupon the time-varying electrochemical or electrical response is detected and analyzed. For biologic specimens, the presence, activity, concentration or relative quantity, and certain inherent characteristics of certain target substances (hereinafter referred to as “target analytes”) within, or comprising, the specimen of interest may be determined by measuring either the current response induced by a voltage-mode excitation, or the voltage response induced by a current-mode excitation. Labeling or marker techniques may be employed, whereby electrochemically active auxiliary molecules are attached to the substance to be analyzed, in order to facilitate or enhance the electrochemical or electrical response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a time-varying electrical excitation, delivering it to a system comprising at least one electronic or electrochemical element, and measuring and analyzing a time-varying electrical response developed within the system in response to the excitation. The response signal, and optionally the excitation signal, are sampled in a synchronous manner, and the sampled values are analyzed to determine various characteristics of the system, including State of Charge and State of Health. Additional analysis may be performed to: identify specific system defects; identify and quantify time-dependent processes; and, obtain values for elements of an equivalent electric circuit model. The method and apparatus may serve both as a measurement system as well as a control sub-system, and may be configured to operate in either an open-loop or closed loop manner.