Abstract: An electrochemical cell degradation monitoring method. The method includes applying first and second bias potentials to an electrode of an electrochemical cell during an operating state thereof. The method further includes measuring impedance spectra of the electrode of the electrochemical cell during the operating state biased to the first and second bias potentials. The method also includes determining a deviation in the impedance spectra at the first and second bias potentials. The method determines a degradation state of the electrode of the electrochemical cell in response to the deviation in the impedance spectra at the first and second bias potentials of the electrode of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A dimensional thermal fluid mapping system. The system includes an internal fluid device having one or more internal channels configured to contain a fluid. The internal fluid device has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The system includes an electrical device applying an electrical state to the first or second surface of the internal fluid device to induce a cycling change in an internal temperature of the internal fluid device. The system further includes a thermal measuring device configured to record a first temperature response on the first surface and a second temperature response on the second surface indicative of a dimensional fluid mapping with the one or more channels.

Abstract: Various implementations include miniature loudspeaker drivers. In some aspects, an electro-acoustic driver includes: a diaphragm having a surface area configured to radiate acoustic energy; a suspension coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the suspension is non-planar in a resting position; and a support structure coupled to the suspension and having an outer linear dimension in a plane of the support structure of approximately 6.0 millimeters (mm) or less, wherein the surface area of the diaphragm is at least 49% of an overall cross-sectional area of the electro-acoustic driver in the plane of the support structure; and wherein the suspension between an inner side wall of the support structure and the diaphragm has a rounded shape in the resting position.

Abstract: The instant disclosure sets forth multiphase lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having secondary phase inclusions, wherein these secondary phase inclusions are material(s) which is/are not a cubic phase lithium-stuffed garnet but which is/are entrapped or enclosed within a lithium-stuffed garnet. When the secondary phase inclusions described herein are included in a lithium-stuffed garnet at 30-0.1 volume %, the inclusions stabilize the multiphase matrix and allow for improved sintering of the lithium-stuffed garnet. The electrolytes described herein, which include lithium-stuffed garnet with secondary phase inclusions, have an improved sinterability and density compared to phase pure cubic lithium-stuffed garnet having the formula Li7La3Zr2O12.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte water electrolyzer (PEWE). The PEWE includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and a polymer electrolyte membrane between and separating the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. The PEWE further includes a first blocking layer and/or a second blocking layer. The first blocking layer is disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and configured to resist diffusion of unwanted ions or molecules through the polymer electrolyte membrane. The second blocking layer is disposed between the anode catalyst layer and is configured to resist diffusion of unwanted ions or molecules through the polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A membrane for selective separation of a target cation from a source liquid containing the target cation and one or more competing ionic species can include a crown ether polymer layer disposed on a cation exchange membrane. The crown ether polymer layer can include a crown ether capable of selectively binding the target cation and a polymer.

Abstract: Fuel cell alloy bipolar plates. The alloys may be used as a coating or bulk material. The alloys and metallic glasses may be particularly suitable for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells because of they may exhibit reduced weights and/or better corrosion resistance. The alloys may include any of the following AlxCuyTiz, AlxFeyNiz, AlxMnyNiz, AlxNiyTiz, CuxFeyTiz, CuxNiyTiz, AlxFeySiz, AlxMnySiz, AlxNiySiz, NixSiyTiz, and CxFeySiz. The alloys or metallic glass may be doped with various dopants to improve glass forming ability, mechanical strength, ductility, electrical or thermal conductivities, hydrophobicity, and/or corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A site-selective hydration strategy that enables site-selective atomic layer deposition (ALD). ALD is utilized to target specific locations on a crystalline material for deposition.

Abstract: Set forth herein are processes for making lithium-stuffed garnet oxides (e.g., Li7La3Zr2O12, also known as LLZO) that have passivated surfaces comprising a fluorinate and/or an oxyfluorinate species. These surfaces resist the formation of oxides, carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, and organics that spontaneously form on LLZO surfaces under ambient conditions. Also set forth herein are new materials made by these processes.

Abstract: Various implementations include miniature loudspeaker drivers. In some aspects, an electro-acoustic driver includes: a cone having a surface area configured to radiate acoustic energy; a suspension coupled to the cone; and a support structure coupled to the suspension and having an outer linear dimension in a plane of the cone of approximately 6.0 millimeters (mm) or less, wherein the surface area of the cone is at least 49% of an overall cross-sectional area of the electro-acoustic driver in the plane of the cone.

Abstract: An anode in an electrochemical cell includes an anode active material comprising sodium and a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer disposed on the anode active material. The SEI layer includes reduction products of an electrolyte solvent and is free of degradation products derived from dissolved anions of an electrolyte salt. The electrolyte solvent and the electrolyte salt are present in an electrolyte of the electrochemical cell. The SEI layer does not include a fluorine content greater than 5 wt. %.

Abstract: Fuel cell alloy bipolar plates. The alloys may be used as a coating or bulk material. The alloys and metallic glasses may be particularly suitable for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells because of they may exhibit reduced weights and/or better corrosion resistance. The alloys may include any of the following AlxCuyTiz, AlxFeyNiz, AlxMnyNiz, AlxNiyTiz, CuxFeyTiz, CuxNiyTiz, AlxFeySiz, AlxMnySiz, AlxNiySiz, NixSiyTiz, and CxFeySiz. The alloys or metallic glass may be doped with various dopants to improve glass forming ability, mechanical strength, ductility, electrical or thermal conductivities, hydrophobicity, and/or corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Various aspects include a wearable audio device having active noise reduction (ANR). In some cases, a method for processing audio signals includes receiving a noise reduction signal configured to modify an audio signal and generate a noise reduced audio signal, the noise reduction signal having a nominal loop gain; and generating an adjusted noise reduction signal in response to a detected adverse low frequency event, the adjusted noise reduction signal having a modulated loop gain configured to reduce artifacts in the noise reduced audio signal.

Abstract: A headphone includes an earphone that includes an earcup, an ear cushion, and a driver plate assembly. The driver plate assembly is supported in the earcup and includes a driver plate, a driver mounted along a rear surface of the driver plate, an opening that is provided in the driver plate to allow acoustic energy to pass from the driver into a user's ear canal, a ring that is arranged substantially coaxially with the opening, and an acoustic mesh. The ring defines a planar surface on which the acoustic mesh is mounted.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a gas diffusion layer (GM) situated between a catalyst layer of the fuel cell and a flow field plate of the fuel cell. The GM has a first region and a second region along a thickness direction of the fuel cell. The first region is adjacent to the catalyst layer and has a first thermal conductivity. The second region is adjacent to the flow field plate and has a second thermal conductivity lower than the first thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An ionic transistor including a first source, a first drain spaced apart from the first source, and a first storage layer electrically connected to the first source and the first drain. The ionic transistor also includes a second source spaced apart from the first source, a second drain spaced apart from the second source, and a second storage layer electrically connected to the second source and the second drain. The ionic transistor further includes an electrolyte layer situated between and electrically connected to the first and second storage layers. The ionic transistor may be implemented as non-volatile memory in a machine learning (ML) application.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to rechargeable batteries and solid electrolytes therefore which include lithium-stuffed garnet oxides, for example, in a thin film, pellet, or monolith format wherein the density of defects at a surface or surfaces of the solid electrolyte is less than the density of defects in the bulk. In certain disclosed embodiments, the solid-state anolyte, electrolyte, and catholyte thin films, separators, and monoliths consist essentially of an oxide that conducts Li+ ions. In some examples, the disclosure herein presents new and useful solid electrolytes for solid-state or partially solid-state batteries. In some examples, the disclosure presents new lithium-stuffed garnet solid electrolytes and rechargeable batteries which include these electrolytes as separators between a cathode and a lithium metal anode.

Abstract: An active noise reduction earbud includes a housing and a first feedforward microphone disposed in the housing. A first sound inlet opening extends through the housing and is configured to conduct external sound to the first feedforward microphone. The first sound inlet opening is configured to sit within a concha cavum of a user's ear and faces toward an auricle of the user's ear when the earbud is worn.

Abstract: The instant disclosure sets forth multiphase lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having secondary phase inclusions, wherein these secondary phase inclusions are material(s) which is/are not a cubic phase lithium-stuffed garnet but which is/are entrapped or enclosed within a lithium-stuffed garnet. When the secondary phase inclusions described herein are included in a lithium-stuffed garnet at 30-0.1 volume %, the inclusions stabilize the multiphase matrix and allow for improved sintering of the lithium-stuffed garnet. The electrolytes described herein, which include lithium-stuffed garnet with secondary phase inclusions, have an improved sinterability and density compared to phase pure cubic lithium-stuffed garnet having the formula Li7La3Zr2O12.

Abstract: Various aspects include a wearable audio device having active noise reduction (ANR). In some cases, an ANR system for a wearable audio device includes: a fixed filter that receives a signal from a feedback microphone and outputs a noise reduction signal, where the fixed filter is configured to provide ANR with a nominal loop gain; and a tunable filter that outputs an adjusted noise reduction signal by modulating the nominal loop gain in response to low frequency noise being detected in the noise reduction signal, where modulating the nominal loop gain includes reducing low frequency ANR performance.