Abstract: A battery is provided that includes a cathode current collector, a cathode, a solid electrolyte, an anode current collector and an elastic support. The elastic support is provided on at least one of the cathode current collector and the anode current collector. The elastic support comprises an elastic polymer and nanotube springs provided within the elastic polymer.

Abstract: A method of operating a 3-D printer apparatus includes a tank structure with a bottom wall with a printing area defined above and spaced apart from the bottom wall. A gas permeable liquid within the tank overlays the bottom wall of the tank structure defining a first mobile layer below the printing area. An inhibition liquid within the tank overlays the gas permeable liquid defining a second mobile layer below the printing area. A polymerizable resin overlays the inhibition liquid and flows into the printing area. Positioning of an object carrier controlled such that a lower surface of the object carrier is initially located within the polymerizable resin and within the printing area. Operation of a resin curing device beneath the bottom wall provides light to the printing area polymerizing predetermined portions of the polymerizable resin forming an object attached to the lower surface of the object carrier.

Abstract: A 3-D printer apparatus (three-dimensional printer apparatus) includes a bottom structure of a tank. The tank defines a printing area located above and spaced apart from the bottom structure. The bottom structure includes oxygen releasing electrodes. A resin curing device is configured to selectively provide light to the printing area. The electronic controller controls operation of the resin curing device and the oxygen releasing electrodes. The electronic controller selectively operates areas of the oxygen releasing electrodes thereby releasing oxygen to predetermined locations below the printing area in order to temporarily prevent the polymerization of a polymerizable resin within predetermined locations of the printing area during the printing process.

Abstract: A 3D printing system includes a tank containing a liquid photopolymer resin. A textured surface is connected to the tank. The textured surface is configured such that light passes therethrough and into the liquid polymer resin. A transducer is connected to the tank. The transducer is configured to emit an acoustic wave toward the textured surface.

Abstract: A 3D printing system includes a tank containing a liquid photopolymer resin. The tank includes an optically transparent window through which light is configured to pass. A heat exchanger is connected to the tank and is configured to cool the liquid polymer resin. A transducer is connected to the tank. The transducer is configured to emit an acoustic wave toward the optically transparent window.

Abstract: A 3D printing system includes a tank containing a liquid photopolymer resin. A textured surface is connected to the tank. The textured surface is configured such that light passes therethrough and into the liquid polymer resin. A transducer is connected to the tank. The transducer is configured to emit an acoustic wave toward the textured surface.

Abstract: A 3D printing system includes a tank containing a liquid photopolymer resin. A textured surface is disposed in the tank. The textured surface is configured such that light passes through therethrough and into the liquid polymer resin. A layer of an inert material is disposed on the textured surface.

Abstract: A 3D printing system includes a vat containing a liquid photopolymer resin and a rigid base on which an object is configured to be printed. A control arm connected to the rigid base is configured to move the rigid base relative to the vat. A first light source is configured to emit light to the vat to form the object on the rigid base. A second light source is configured to emit light on the object externally of the liquid photopolymer resin in the vat to cure the object.

Abstract: A method of painting a vehicle component includes charging the vehicle component. The charge of the vehicle component in an area to be painted is selectively changed. Paint is applied to the vehicle component. The vehicle component is heated to fuse the paint to the vehicle component.

Abstract: An acoustic force assisted painting system includes a housing, a nozzle, and at least one first transducer. The conduit is configured to receive paint from an external source. The nozzle is disposed in the housing. The nozzle has an inlet that is fluidly connected to the conduit and is configured to receive paint from the conduit. The nozzle has an outlet configured to dispense the paint. The at least one first transducer is disposed in the housing at a location downstream of the nozzle outlet in a flow direction of the paint.

Abstract: A vehicle tire assembly having a plurality of flexible spoke portions that extend from an outer annular ring to and inner annular ring. Adjacent pairs of the flexible spoke portions define a plurality of gaps therebetween. A plurality of electro-active members, are disposed radially inward from the outer annular ring and radially outward of the inner ring. The plurality of electro-active members are configured such that in the absence of an electric current flowing therethrough, the plurality of electro-active members flex in response to flexing of the plurality of flexible spoke portions. In the presence of an electric current flowing through the plurality of electro-active members, the plurality of electro-active members become more rigid and less flexible adding corresponding stiffness to the plurality of flexible spoke portions.

Abstract: An acoustic force assisted painting system has a housing, at least one nozzle and at least one acoustic emitter. The housing has a conduit for receiving paint from an external source into the housing. The at least one nozzle is disposed in the housing. The at least one nozzle has an inlet that is fluidly connected to the conduit to receive paint from the conduit. The at least one nozzle has an outlet that dispenses paint. The least one acoustic emitter is disposed in the housing at a location downstream of the inlet with respect to the conduit.

Abstract: A 3-D printer apparatus (three-dimensional printer apparatus) includes a bottom structure of a tank. The tank defines a printing area located above and spaced apart from the bottom structure. The bottom structure includes oxygen releasing electrodes. A resin curing device is configured to selectively provide light to the printing area. The electronic controller controls operation of the resin curing device and the oxygen releasing electrodes. The electronic controller selectively operates areas of the oxygen releasing electrodes thereby releasing oxygen to predetermined locations below the printing area in order to temporarily prevent the polymerization of a polymerizable resin within predetermined locations of the printing area during the printing process.

Abstract: A method of operating a 3-D printer apparatus includes a tank structure with a bottom wall with a printing area defined above and spaced apart from the bottom wall. A gas permeable liquid within the tank overlays the bottom wall of the tank structure defining a first mobile layer below the printing area. An inhibition liquid within the tank overlays the gas permeable liquid defining a second mobile layer below the printing area. A polymerizable resin overlays the inhibition liquid and flows into the printing area. Positioning of an object carrier controlled such that a lower surface of the object carrier is initially located within the polymerizable resin and within the printing area. Operation of a resin curing device beneath the bottom wall provides light to the printing area polymerizing predetermined portions of the polymerizable resin forming an object attached to the lower surface of the object carrier.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a hood defining at least one opening, and a vent that is positioned within the at least one opening. The vent is reconfigurable between a closed configuration, in which the vent substantially (if not entirely) prevents air flow through the at least one opening in the hood, and at least one open configuration, in which the vent allows air flow through the at least one opening in the hood. The vent includes an integrated shape memory material such that, upon actuation, the shape memory material deforms to thereby reconfigure the vent.

Abstract: A vehicle tire assembly having a plurality of flexible spoke portions that extend from an outer annular ring to and inner annular ring. Adjacent pairs of the flexible spoke portions define a plurality of gaps therebetween. A plurality of electro-active members, are disposed radially inward from the outer annular ring and radially outward of the inner ring. The plurality of electro-active members are configured such that in the absence of an electric current flowing therethrough, the plurality of electro-active members flex in response to flexing of the plurality of flexible spoke portions. In the presence of an electric current flowing through the plurality of electro-active members, the plurality of electro-active members become more rigid and less flexible adding corresponding stiffness to the plurality of flexible spoke portions.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a hood defining at least one opening, and a vent that is positioned within the at least one opening. The vent is reconfigurable between a closed configuration, in which the vent substantially (if not entirely) prevents air flow through the at least one opening in the hood, and at least one open configuration, in which the vent allows air flow through the at least one opening in the hood. The vent includes an integrated shape memory material such that, upon actuation, the shape memory material deforms to thereby reconfigure the vent.