Abstract: Methods and systems for electrolyte regeneration are provided, which regenerate a spent alkaline electrolyte (SE) comprising dissolved aluminum oxide hydrates from an aluminum-air battery, by electrolysis, to precipitate aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH) and form regenerated alkaline electrolyte. A same-cation salt is added to an anolyte solution used in the electrolysis (and devoid of aluminates) to replenish a corresponding electrolyte cation and maintain the conditions for ATH precipitation. The regeneration may be carried out continuously, e.g., mixing the SE and the same-cation salt in a salt tank that delivers the anolyte solution, removing a portion of the regenerated alkaline electrolyte from a catholyte tank delivering the catholyte solution, and filtering the ATH from a solution delivered from the salt tank to the anolyte tank. Optionally, the salt may be a buffering salt, and in some cases chemical reactions may be used to enhance the regeneration by electrolysis.

Abstract: Separators, electrochemical cells and methods are provided, to improve operation of cells such as metal-ion batteries and fuel cells. Separators comprise a porous, ionically conductive film including layered double hydroxide(s) (LDHs), which are functional ceramic additives, removing potentially harmful anions from the electrolyte by incorporating them into the LDH structure of positively-charged sheets with intermediary anions. For example, anions which are electrolyte decomposition products or cathode dissolution products may be absorbed into the LDH to prevent them from causing damage to the cell and shortening the cell's life. LDHs may be incorporated in the separator structure, coated thereupon or otherwise associated therewith. Additional benefits include dimensional stability during thermal excursions, fire retardancy and impurity scavenging.

Abstract: A vehicle having at least one cargo pod. The cargo pod may be rolled into and out of a cargo area of the vehicle. The cargo pod may include at least one battery. The battery may be selectively connectable to a vehicle power network. The battery may be disposed proximate a base of the cargo pod.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a query from a computing device accessed by a recipient; accessing an identifier, associated with an advertisement card, including a pointer to an electronic document associated with the advertisement card and a recipient code associated with the recipient; accessing a set of recipient profiles associated with target recipients of a set of advertisement cards.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a query from a computing device accessed by a recipient; accessing an identifier, associated with an advertisement card, including a pointer to an electronic document associated with the advertisement card and a recipient code associated with the recipient; accessing a set of recipient profiles associated with target recipients of a set of advertisement cards.

Abstract: One variation of a method includes, at a transceiver installed at a location: retrieving a device identifier of a device proximal the transceiver; rendering a QR code defining the device identifier and a location identifier associated with the location; in response to scanning of the QR code by a recipient via the device, triggering the device to navigate to a webpage including a prompt to enter a set of contact information; and linking the location identifier, the device identifier, and the set of contact information to a recipient profile. The method further includes: receiving a request for content associated with an advertising campaign for presenting to the recipient; selecting a subset of keywords, from a set of keywords defined for the advertising campaign, based on the location identifier; and generating a unique set of content based on the subset of keywords and the set of contact information.

Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback, a seat base, and/or a retractable cover assembly connected to the seat base. The retractable cover assembly may include a retractable cover that is selectively connectable to the seatback. The retractable cover assembly may include a housing mounted to an underside of the seat base. The seat base may be configured to rotate relative to the seatback between a seating position and a storage position. The retractable cover may be selectively connectable to the seatback at least when the seat base is in the seating position. The retractable cover may be selectively connectable to a second seatback of a second seat at least when the seat base is in the storage position.

Abstract: A vehicle having at least one cargo pod. The cargo pod may be rolled into and out of a cargo area of the vehicle. The cargo pod may include at least one battery. The battery may be selectively connectable to a vehicle power network. The battery may be disposed proximate a base of the cargo pod.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a query from a computing device accessed by a recipient; accessing an identifier, associated with an advertisement card, including a pointer to an electronic document associated with the advertisement card and a recipient code associated with the recipient; accessing a set of recipient profiles associated with target recipients of a set of advertisement cards.

Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback frame, a primary carrier, an airflow duct, and a plurality of airflow outlets. The primary carrier may be connected to the seatback frame. The airflow duct may be defined at least partially by the primary carrier. The plurality of airflow outlets may extend through the primary carrier to an external surface and may be in fluid communication with the airflow duct.

Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback frame, a primary carrier, an airflow duct, and a plurality of airflow outlets. The primary carrier may be connected to the seatback frame. The airflow duct may be defined at least partially by the primary carrier. The plurality of airflow outlets may extend through the primary carrier to an external surface and may be in fluid communication with the airflow duct.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a seat cushion receives data of a specific occupant. A seat cushion is designed from the occupant data. The seat cushion is provided with a cellular structure from the occupant data. Another method for manufacturing a seat cushion receives boundary conditions for a seat cushion. Applicable mechanical properties are determined for the boundary conditions of the seat cushion. Applicable thermal properties are determined for the boundary conditions of the seat cushion. A seat cushion is designed with a varying cellular structure to satisfy the applicable mechanical properties and the applicable thermal properties.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided, which convert spent electrolyte from aluminum-air batteries into high purity alumina (HPA) and useful co-products such as fertilizer(s) and/or feed supplement(s). Aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH) having potassium (K) and/or sodium (Na) impurities, e.g., from spent electrolyte, may be dissolved in strong acid to form an acidic ATH solution having pH<4. Consecutively, the acidic ATH solution may be neutralized to pH>4 to precipitate ATH while retaining dissolved K/Na in the neutralized solution. The dissolving and the neutralizing may then be repeated with the precipitated ATH until a specified purity level of the precipitated ATH is reached. Using appropriate bases to neutralize the acidic ATH solution, e.g., ammonia and/or choline, yields useful co-products such as ammonium nitrate (with nitric acid as the strong acid) and choline chloride (with hydrochloric acid as the strong acid), respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electrolyte regeneration are provided, which regenerate a spent alkaline electrolyte (SE) comprising dissolved aluminum hydrates from an aluminum-air battery, by electrolysis, to precipitate aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH) and form regenerated alkaline electrolyte, and adding a same-cation salt to an anolyte used in the electrolysis to supplant a corresponding electrolyte cation. The regeneration may be carried out continuously and further comprise mixing the SE and the same-cation salt in a salt tank configured to deliver the anolyte, removing the regenerated alkaline electrolyte from a catholyte tank configured to deliver the catholyte, and filtering the ATH from a solution delivered from the salt tank to the anolyte. Optionally, the salt may be a buffering salt, and in some cases chemical reactions may be used to enhance the regeneration by electrolysis.

Abstract: Separators, electrochemical cells and methods are provided, to improve operation of cells such as metal-ion batteries and fuel cells. Separators comprise a porous, ionically conductive film including layered double hydroxide(s) (LDHs), which are functional ceramic additives, removing potentially harmful anions from the electrolyte by incorporating them into the LDH structure of positively-charged sheets with intermediary anions. For example, anions which are electrolyte decomposition products or cathode dissolution products may be absorbed into the LDH to prevent them from causing damage to the cell and shortening the cell's life. LDHs may be incorporated in the separator structure, coated thereupon or otherwise associated therewith. Additional benefits include dimensional stability during thermal excursions, fire retardancy and impurity scavenging.

Abstract: A server includes an interface, programmed to receive, from a vehicle, vehicle data indicative of vehicle status and user data indicative of usage of vehicle features by a user; and a processor, programmed to analyze the vehicle data and the user data using artificial intelligence (AI) logic to generate a comfort prediction for the user; and configure a comfort device associated with the user, external to the vehicle, using the comfort prediction.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat, one or more sensor assemblies, and/or an electronic control unit that may be connected to the one or more sensor assemblies. The one or more sensor assemblies may provide information about a first position of the seat to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit may be configured to receive a second position of the seat, and/or the electronic control unit may be configured to automatically move the seat to the second position without contacting other objects. The electronic control unit may include a second seat, and/or the electronic control unit may be configured to automatically move the second seat from a first second seat position to a second second seat position. The electronic control unit may be configured to determine a movement path of the seat according to information from the one or more sensor assemblies.

Abstract: A server includes an interface, programmed to receive, from a vehicle, vehicle data indicative of vehicle status and user data indicative of usage of vehicle features by a user; and a processor, programmed to analyze the vehicle data and the user data using artificial intelligence (AI) logic to generate a comfort prediction for the user; and configure a comfort device associated with the user, external to the vehicle, using the comfort prediction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a seat cushion receives data of a specific occupant. A seat cushion is designed from the occupant data. The seat cushion is provided with a cellular structure from the occupant data. Another method for manufacturing a seat cushion receives boundary conditions for a seat cushion. Applicable mechanical properties are determined for the boundary conditions of the seat cushion. Applicable thermal properties are determined for the boundary conditions of the seat cushion. A seat cushion is designed with a varying cellular structure to satisfy the applicable mechanical properties and the applicable thermal properties.

Abstract: This invention is directed to regeneration of solutions comprising metal ions, and production of valuable hydroxide compounds. Specifically, the invention is related to regeneration of spent electrolyte solutions comprising metal ions (e.g. Al ions), such as electrolyte solutions used in metal/air batteries. The invention is further related to production of layered double hydroxides, and, optionally aluminum tri-hydroxide from aluminate.