Abstract: A battery cycling system including: a base configured to support a battery cell in cooperation with lead lines for cycling the battery cell; a heating device configured to heat the battery cell during cycling of the battery cell; a cooling device configured to cool the battery cell during cycling of the battery cell, the cooling device movable between an inactive position in which the cooling device is spaced apart from the battery cell and an active position in which the cooling device is in contact with the battery cell to cool the battery cell; and an actuator configured to move the cooling device from the inactive position to the active position to cool the battery cell during cycling of the battery cell.

Abstract: A travel pillow system includes an outer sleeve with a first end reversibly connectable to a second end. The outer sleeve may be stuffed or filled with a blanket to form an infinity scarf or neck pillow that may be used in a variety of configurations to support the neck, head, back, shoulders, etc., and also be used as a light-blocking pillow. The sleeve may be provided with a pocket for holding items such as ID cards, keys, credit cards, and other travel essentials. A pillowcase may also be provided and the blanket may be removed from the outer sleeve and used to fill the pillowcase. The blanket may also be secured around a user and include pockets for a user's hands.

Abstract: A system for generating haptic feedback to an operator of a motor vehicle includes a powertrain for generating vehicle propulsion. The system also includes an acceleration control device having a range of travel positions for regulating powertrain torque and vehicle acceleration. The system additionally includes a vibration transducer configured to mechanically vibrate the acceleration control device. The system also includes a vehicle sensor for detecting the operator's request for generation of the powertrain torque and acceleration of the motor vehicle and an electronic controller in communication with the vehicle sensor. The controller receives the operator's request and selectively applies, via the vibration transducer, vibration to the acceleration control device in correlation with the operator's request.

Abstract: A swing apparatus includes an inner compartment comprising an inner tube, a covering that is configured to cover the inner compartment, and at least two straps including a first strap and a second strap that are each secured to a bottom of the covering and which are configured to extend above the covering and inner compartment with at least two attachment couplings. A first end of the first strap is coupled to a first end of the second strap to form the first attachment coupling. A second end of the first strap is coupled to a second end of the second strap to form a second attachment coupling, wherein the first end of the first strap and the second end of the first strap extend from the covering on opposite sides of the covering.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes (i) determining, via location data, a current location of a user, (ii) determining, via the location data, a start location of a user device based on the current location and a destination location of the user device and based on a user input, (iii) identifying, via a pedestrian route planner of a route planning application in communication with a navigation system, a pedestrian route between the start location and the destination location, (iv) identifying, via the navigation system, waypoints between the start location and the destination location, (v) transmitting the pedestrian route to the user device, (vi) issuing, via the route planning application, at least one of i) a haptic feedback protocol and ii) an auditory feedback protocol associated with the waypoints, (vii) receiving, from the user device, pedestrian route data, and (viii) processing the pedestrian route data to determine user behavior.

Abstract: A dilatometer configured to measure dilation of an electrode in a battery. The dilatometer including a controller configured to: receive calibration force readings from a magnetic force sensor, the calibration force readings including magnetic force strength between a magnet of the dilatometer and a magnetic spacer of the battery at different calibration distances resulting from movement of the magnet relative to the magnetic spacer across a distance range during calibration; assign a position value to each one of the calibration force readings, the position value is a distance between the magnet and the magnetic spacer of the battery; and predict magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic spacer across an entirety of the distance range based on the position values of the calibration force readings.

Abstract: In various aspects, an air cannon includes a handle having a handle body and a ring at a proximal end of the handle body. The air cannon may also include a bag extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the bag securable to an interior of the ring. The air cannon may further include a coil disposed about a circumference of the bag, with the coil extending from a first end to a second end. In some embodiments, the first end of the coil is engaged by the interior of the ring to secure the first end of the bag to the interior of the ring. The air cannon may include a collapsed state and an expanded state.

Abstract: A method for using idle computing power of an electric vehicle includes receiving computing tasks while the electric vehicle is electrically connected to a charging infrastructure, accepting to perform the computing tasks while the electric vehicle is electrically connected to the charging infrastructure, and in response to accepting to perform the computing tasks, performing the computing tasks while the electric vehicle is electrically connected to the charging infrastructure.

Abstract: A dilatometer configured to measure dilation of an electrode in a battery. The dilatometer including a controller configured to: receive calibration force readings from a magnetic force sensor, the calibration force readings including magnetic force strength between a magnet of the dilatometer and a magnetic spacer of the battery at different calibration distances resulting from movement of the magnet relative to the magnetic spacer across a distance range during calibration; assign a position value to each one of the calibration force readings, the position value is a distance between the magnet and the magnetic spacer of the battery; and predict magnetic force strength between the magnet and the magnetic spacer across an entirety of the distance range based on the position values of the calibration force readings.

Abstract: A grilling tool is described herein that has a replaceable tip, and can be used with a variety of other attachments. The grilling tool can be made of a heat-conformable material such that during use grooves are formed in the replaceable tip that correspond to a grilling surface on which it is used. Once the grooves are too deep or the tip is fully used, the tip can be replaced.

Abstract: A swing apparatus includes an inner compartment comprising an inner tube, a covering that is configured to cover the inner compartment, and at least two straps including a first strap and a second strap that are each secured to a bottom of the covering and which are configured to extend above the covering and inner compartment with at least two attachment couplings. A first end of the first strap is coupled to a first end of the second strap to form the first attachment coupling. A second end of the first strap is coupled to a second end of the second strap to form a second attachment coupling, wherein the first end of the first strap and the second end of the first strap extend from the covering on opposite sides of the covering.

Abstract: A method for using idle computing power of an electric vehicle includes sending the computing tasks and the task rates for performing the computing tasks to a vehicle controller of the electric vehicle and receiving an acceptance signal from the vehicle controller. The acceptance signal is indicative that the vehicle controller accepted to perform the computing tasks. The method further includes commanding a charging infrastructure to supply electrical power the electric vehicle while the vehicle controller performs the computing tasks.

Abstract: A climate control device includes a radiant heater for radiating heat and a porous material attached to the radiant heater. The porous material desorbs a plurality of water molecules, in response to the porous material receiving heat from the radiant heater and raising a temperature of the water molecules in the porous material to a boiling temperature threshold. The porous material adsorbs the water molecules in response to the temperature of the water molecules falling below the boiling temperature threshold.

Abstract: A method for using idle computing power of an electric vehicle includes sending the computing tasks and the task rates for performing the computing tasks to a vehicle controller of the electric vehicle and receiving an acceptance signal from the vehicle controller. The acceptance signal is indicative that the vehicle controller accepted to perform the computing tasks. The method further includes commanding a charging infrastructure to supply electrical power the electric vehicle while the vehicle controller performs the computing tasks.

Abstract: A method for using idle computing power of an electric vehicle includes receiving computing tasks while the electric vehicle is electrically connected to a charging infrastructure, accepting to perform the computing tasks while the electric vehicle is electrically connected to the charging infrastructure, and in response to accepting to perform the computing tasks, performing the computing tasks while the electric vehicle is electrically connected to the charging infrastructure.

Abstract: A heat pipe is provided for cooling an electronic component of a printed circuit board. The heat pipe includes a tube having an inner diameter surface defining a bore, with the tube having first and second ends along the bore. The heat pipe further includes a sorbent material coated onto the inner diameter surface of the tube, a first liquid contained within the bore, and a second liquid adsorbed by the sorbent material. The second liquid has a second boiling temperature that is higher than a first boiling temperature of the first liquid. The first liquid vaporizes into a first vapor, in response to the tube receiving heat from the electronic component and the first liquid reaching the first boiling temperature. The second liquid is desorbed from the sorbent material and vaporizes into a second vapor in response to the second liquid reaching the second boiling temperature.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a water-repellent treatment composition including a functionalised copolymer of a monomer including a di-carboxylic acid anhydride group and a monomer selected from vinyl monomers. The vinyl monomer and optionally the monomer include a di-carboxylic acid anhydride group and form a polymer backbone. At least a portion of the di-carboxylic acid anhydride groups are functionalised by a graft pendant group including two or more fatty aliphatic groups linked to the polymer backbone via an ester, amide or imide of the dicarboxylic acid anhydride.

Abstract: The system may be a process and a device that allows for safety in swinging on a swing at a park, playground or swing set. The process may include fixing a chain, hook/connector and an anchor into a single chain assembly. The chain assembly may be dipped or submerged in a polymer coating and allowed to dry, forming a continuous coating over the chain assembly. The chain assembly may be secured to a swing seat using brackets to engage the anchor portion of the chain assembly. The polymer coating may partially or entirely coat the chain assembly while still allowing manipulation and deformation of the chain assembly. The polymer coating may provide easier gripping and safer swinging.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described that combine a sorbent containing a flame retardant with a substrate, which is capable of responding to temperature increases to prevent, suppress, delay the spread of, or otherwise mitigate a proximal thermal event. A flame retardant system has a flame retardant material that is incorporated into a matrical sorbent material, which is incorporated into a substrate. The matrical sorbent material is configured to release the flame retardant material upon exposure to an elevated temperature, e.g., a temperature that is greater than 300° C. in one embodiment.