Abstract: A multifunctional controllable multi-layer co-extruded biodegradable mulching film and a preparation method thereof. The multifunctional controllable multi-layer co-extruded biodegradable mulching film sequentially includes a skeleton layer, a functional layer and a controlled release layer from top to bottom; the skeleton layer, functional layer and controlled release layer are all based on PBAT and PLA (polylactic acid) resin; the raw materials of the skeleton layer also include reinforcing and toughening master batches; the raw materials of the functional layer also include functional master batches; the raw materials of the controlled release layer also include starch-based derivatives. The mulching film is prepared by multi-layer co-extrusion technology.

Abstract: Battery cell formation can include forming a SEI layer in a battery cell, evaluating the cell quality, grading the cells and removing any defect cells. A first switch can connect a first terminal of a battery charger with a first terminal of a first cell. A second switch can connect a second terminal of the first cell with a third switch. The second switch can connect a second cell with a first terminal of the battery charger. The third switch can connect the second switch with a first terminal of the second cell. A fourth switch can connect a second terminal of the second cell with a second terminal of the battery charger. The charger can provide a current to the first cell and to the second cell via the first switch and the third switch for battery cell formation of the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a negative electrode material and methods of preparation and use relating thereto. The electrode material comprises a plurality of electroactive material particles, where each electroactive material particle includes an electroactive material core and an electronically conductive coating. The method includes contacting an electroactive material precursor including a plurality of electroactive material particles with a solution so as to form an electronically conductive coating on each of the electroactive material particles. The solution includes a solvent and one or more of copper fluoride (CuF2), titanium tetrafluoride (TiF3 or TiF4), iron fluoride (FeF3), nickel fluoride (NiF2), manganese fluoride (MnF2, MnF3, or MnF4), and vanadium fluoride (VF3, VF4, VF5). The electronically conductive coating includes a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions. The plurality of first regions include lithium fluoride.

Abstract: An electrode component for an electrochemical cell is provided herein. The electrode component includes a current collector having a first surface, a metal oxide layer disposed on the first surface of the current collector, and a lithium-containing layer bonded to the first surface of the current collector. The metal oxide layer includes a plurality of features. A method for manufacturing such an electrode component is also provided herein. The method includes directing a laser beam toward the first surface of the current collector in the presence of oxygen to form the metal oxide layer on the first surface and applying the lithium-containing layer to the metal oxide layer thereby bonding the lithium-containing layer with the current collector.

Abstract: Lithiated electrodes, electrochemical cells including lithiated electrodes, and methods of making the same are provided. The method includes lithiating at least one electrode in an electrochemical cell by applying current across a first current collector of the at least one electrode to a second current collector of an auxiliary electrode. The electrochemical cell may be disposed within a battery packaging and the auxiliary electrode may be disposed within the battery packaging adjacent to an edge of the electrochemical cell. The at least one electrode may include a first electroactive layer disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the first current collector, and the auxiliary electrode may include a second electroactive layer disposed at or near one or more surfaces of the second current collector. The method may further include extracting the auxiliary electrode from the battery packaging and sealing the battery packaging, which includes the pre-lithiated electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium metal battery is manufactured by a method in which a precursor solution is applied to a major surface of a lithium metal substrate to form a precursor coating thereon. The precursor solution includes an organophosphate, a nonpolar organic solvent, and a lithium-containing inorganic ionic compound dissolved therein. At least a portion of the nonpolar organic solvent is removed from the precursor coating to form a protective interfacial layer on the major surface of the lithium metal substrate. The protective interfacial layer exhibits a composite structure including a carbon-based matrix component and a lithium-containing dispersed component. The lithium-containing dispersed component is embedded in the carbon-based matrix component and includes a plurality of lithium-containing inorganic ionic compounds, e.g., lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3).

Abstract: A method of creating an interface includes: a) adding organometallic compounds to a polymeric material to create an interfacial layer; b) placing the polymeric material having the interfacial layer in a mold; c) heating a deposit material until the deposit material has a predetermined-minimized volumetric density; and d) depositing the deposit material on the interfacial layer. The latent heat of the molten metallic material transfers to the interfacial layer to create chemical bonds and physical interlocks between the interfacial layer and the metallic material. The deposit material cools to form solidified layer on the interfacial layer.

Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium metal battery is manufactured by a method in which a precursor solution is applied to a major surface of a lithium metal substrate to form a precursor coating thereon. The precursor solution includes an organophosphate, a nonpolar organic solvent, and a lithium-containing inorganic ionic compound dissolved therein. At least a portion of the nonpolar organic solvent is removed from the precursor coating to form a protective interfacial layer on the major surface of the lithium metal substrate. The protective interfacial layer exhibits a composite structure including a carbon-based matrix component and a lithium-containing dispersed component. The lithium-containing dispersed component is embedded in the carbon-based matrix component and includes a plurality of lithium-containing inorganic ionic compounds, e.g., lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a negative electrode material and methods of preparation and use relating thereto. The electrode material comprises a plurality of electroactive material particles, where each electroactive material particle includes an electroactive material core and an electronically conductive coating. The method includes contacting an electroactive material precursor including a plurality of electroactive material particles with a solution so as to form an electronically conductive coating on each of the electroactive material particles. The solution includes a solvent and one or more of copper fluoride (CuF2), titanium tetrafluoride (TiF3 or TiF4), iron fluoride (FeF3), nickel fluoride (NiF2), manganese fluoride (MnF2, MnF3, or MnF4), and vanadium fluoride (VF3, VF4, VF5). The electronically conductive coating includes a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions. The plurality of first regions include lithium fluoride.

Abstract: A method for identifying distracted pedestrians. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle controllers. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using a plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of face positions, body positions, gait and hand gestures. Information related to an environment surrounding the vehicle is acquired. Pedestrian awareness level is determined based on the acquired pedestrian parameters and based on the information related to the environment surrounding the vehicle. A determination is made whether the pedestrian awareness level is below a predefined threshold. The pedestrian is classified as distracted, in response to determining that the pedestrian awareness level is below the predefined threshold.

Abstract: An electrode component for an electrochemical cell is provided herein. The electrode component includes a current collector having a first surface, a metal oxide layer disposed on the first surface of the current collector, and a lithium-containing layer bonded to the first surface of the current collector. The metal oxide layer includes a plurality of features. A method for manufacturing such an electrode component is also provided herein. The method includes directing a laser beam toward the first surface of the current collector in the presence of oxygen to form the metal oxide layer on the first surface and applying the lithium-containing layer to the metal oxide layer thereby bonding the lithium-containing layer with the current collector.

Abstract: Lithiated electrodes, electrochemical cells including lithiated electrodes, and methods of making the same are provided. The method includes lithiating at least one electrode in an electrochemical cell by applying current across a first current collector of the at least one electrode to a second current collector of an auxiliary electrode. The electrochemical cell may be disposed within a battery packaging and the auxiliary electrode may be disposed within the battery packaging adjacent to an edge of the electrochemical cell. The at least one electrode may include a first electroactive layer disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the first current collector, and the auxiliary electrode may include a second electroactive layer disposed at or near one or more surfaces of the second current collector. The method may further include extracting the auxiliary electrode from the battery packaging and sealing the battery packaging, which includes the pre-lithiated electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method for improving pedestrian safety is provided. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle sensors. A path of the vehicle is predicted based on the determined operating conditions. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using the plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of a position, a speed of the pedestrian, gait, body posture and a level of distractedness. A determination is made whether a notification of the pedestrian is necessary based on the determined vehicle operating conditions and the acquired pedestrian parameters. A mode of notification of the pedestrian is selected from a plurality of modes of notification, in response to determining that the notification of the pedestrian is necessary. The pedestrian is notified using the selected mode of notification.

Abstract: A method of creating an interface includes: a) adding organometallic compounds to a polymeric material to create an interfacial layer; b) placing the polymeric material having the interfacial layer in a mold; c) heating a deposit material until the deposit material has a predetermined-minimized volumetric density; and d) depositing the deposit material on the interfacial layer. The latent heat of the molten metallic material transfers to the interfacial layer to create chemical bonds and physical interlocks between the interfacial layer and the metallic material. The deposit material cools to form solidified layer on the interfacial layer.

Abstract: A method for optimal notification of a relevant object in a potentially unsafe situation includes training a machine learning model using a plurality of object parameters and a plurality of vehicle state parameters to generate a trained machine learning model. Output data is predicted using the trained machine learning model. The output data represents an optimal mode of notification and a set of notification parameters for a specific state of interaction between the vehicle and the relevant object.

Abstract: A method for improving pedestrian safety is provided. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle sensors. A path of the vehicle is predicted based on the determined operating conditions. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using the plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of a position, a speed of the pedestrian, gait, body posture and a level of distractedness. A determination is made whether a notification of the pedestrian is necessary based on the determined vehicle operating conditions and the acquired pedestrian parameters. A mode of notification of the pedestrian is selected from a plurality of modes of notification, in response to determining that the notification of the pedestrian is necessary. The pedestrian is notified using the selected mode of notification.

Abstract: A vehicle information system for projecting images with respect to a vehicle is provided. The vehicle information system includes an image projection device disposed on the vehicle. The image projection device is operable to project an image on a surface with respect to the vehicle. The vehicle information system also includes a vehicle-based portion that receives information regarding a status of the vehicle and determines whether the projecting images is acceptable. The vehicle-based portion also causes the image projection device to project the image on the surface with respect to the vehicle when projecting images is acceptable.

Abstract: A method for identifying distracted pedestrians. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle controllers. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using a plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of face positions, body positions, gait and hand gestures. Information related to an environment surrounding the vehicle is acquired. Pedestrian awareness level is determined based on the acquired pedestrian parameters and based on the information related to the environment surrounding the vehicle. A determination is made whether the pedestrian awareness level is below a predefined threshold. The pedestrian is classified as distracted, in response to determining that the pedestrian awareness level is below the predefined threshold.

Abstract: A high performance electrode for an electrochemical cell including electroactive materials having a large charge capacity and that undergo substantial volumetric expansion and contraction during cycling of the electrochemical cell and a method for making the high performance electrode are provided. The electroactive material of the high performance electrode may have a thickness greater than or equal to about 1 ?m. Methods of forming the high performance electrodes includes patterning the electroactive material to form a plurality of void spaces using a high-speed process selected from the group consisting of: laser ablation, electron beam machining, ion beam milling, roll forming, embossing, lithography, and combinations thereof. The plurality of void spaces accommodates the volumetric expansion and contraction to minimize cracking and damage to the electrode during cycling of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention are a class of Lincomycin biosynthetic intermediates and a preparation method and use thereof. Specifically provided are Lincomycin biosynthetic intermediates obtained from the genetic modification of a Lincomycin producing bacterium, and a method for the production thereof through fermentation and purification through separation.