Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamic adjustments to battery parameters using battery metrics. The device may be configured to determine a first value indicative of a battery voltage output during a first time interval, determine a second value indicative of a temperature during the first time interval, and determine a first acceleration factor for the battery during the first time interval based at least in part on the first value and the second value. The device may determine an adjusted number of charge cycles completed during the first time interval using the first acceleration factor, determine a total adjusted number of charge cycles of the battery, determine that the total adjusted number of charge cycles is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and cause the first maximum output voltage value to be reduced.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for battery-specific adjustments to maximum battery voltage. In one embodiment, an example device may include a battery, at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions, and at least one processor. The device may be configured to determine a first value indicative of a first length of time the battery was at a first voltage and a first temperature, determine a second value indicative of a second length of time the battery was at a second voltage and a second temperature, determine that a sum of the first value and the second value satisfies a first threshold, and cause a maximum output voltage value to be reduced from a first maximum output voltage value to a second maximum output voltage value.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrochemical energy storage device, a non-conductive film at least partially covering the electrochemical energy storage device, and a nano-grain metallic film at least partially covering the non-conductive film. The electrochemical energy storage device may include a cathode electrode layer, an anode electrode layer, and a separator layer therebetween.

Abstract: A battery includes a housing and a laminate in the housing. The laminate includes an anode and cathode, each having a first end and an opposing second end. The anode includes an anode collector including a first sheet of patterned conductive material having a first active area and a first plurality of conductive tabs formed integrally with the first active area, and a first active material on the first active area of the anode collector. The cathode includes a cathode collector including a second sheet of patterned conductive material having a second active area and a second plurality of conductive tabs formed integrally with the second active area, and a second active material on the second active area of the cathode collector. Active material is not on either the first or second plurality of conductive tabs. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A power source, designed to be bent or flexed during use, may include a layer of anode material having a length greater than a layer of cathode material to accommodate for movement of the cathode or anode layers during flexing of the power source. An enclosure containing the cathode and anode materials may include an inner protective layer proximate to the cathode and anode layers and a water-impermeable layer external to the inner protective layer. The water-impermeable layer may have a pleated or corrugated configuration that may be extended when the power source is bent under application of a flexure stress, preventing damage or deformation to the water-impermeable layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrochemical energy storage device, a non-conductive film at least partially covering the electrochemical energy storage device, and a nano-grain metallic film at least partially covering the non-conductive film. The electrochemical energy storage device may include a cathode electrode layer, an anode electrode layer, and a separator layer therebetween.

Abstract: A battery thermal shield is used with a battery to reduce peak temperature exposure caused by a short of a battery from physical damage to the battery (e.g., the battery being pierced by a metal object). The thermal shield may be a highly thermal-conductive substance, such as a film, adhesive, gel, and/or other substance, that acts as an efficient heat spreader. Unlike a typical heat sink or heat fins, the thermal shield may have a low profile and be configured to spread a rapid onset of heat at a localized point or area (e.g., a location of an internal short) to a wider area to reduce a peak (maximum) temperature caused by a short of a battery. The thermal shield may be at least partially formed of graphite which may be adhered to the battery.

Abstract: A cover glass of an electronic device may be inspected for defects and damage such as cracks, fractures, scratches, and chips. The electronic device may be placed in an enclosure with a lighting assembly that emits light to the electronic device, and scattered light from defects and damage of the cover glass is captured by an imaging device. A shutter assembly facilitates the capture of scattered light and reduces the capture of reflected light, which enhances the exposure of defects and damage of the captured image of the cover glass. A mirror facilitates the capture of a side surface of the electronic device.

Abstract: Determining an in-plane thermal conductivity of anisotropic materials, such as display stacks, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and composite housings, includes heating a first region of an anisotropic sample, cooling a second region of the sample, and measuring temperature at a first location between the first region and the second region and a second location between the first region and the second region. The in-plane thermal conductivity of the sample is computed based at least in part on the temperature at the first location, the temperature at the second location, the distance from the first region to the second region, a thickness of the substantially planar anisotropic substrate, and an amount of heat applied to the first region.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrochemical energy storage device, a non-conductive film at least partially covering the electrochemical energy storage device, and a nano-grain metallic film at least partially covering the non-conductive film. The electrochemical energy storage device may include a cathode electrode layer, an anode electrode layer, and a separator layer therebetween.

Abstract: A method of assessing noise involves evacuating air from a vacuum chamber to a pressure less than about 1 Torr and stimulating a device positioned in the chamber by shaking it or by operating a component of the device. Measuring vibrations in a low pressure environment decreases or eliminates propagation of sound waves, thereby enabling isolation and identification of vibrations caused by mechanical noise. These measurements may be useful for more precise acoustic characterization of audio devices containing multiple components.

Abstract: This disclosure describes composite structures and method of making the structures. The structures according to this disclosure may be used in handheld electronics. In example embodiments, holes are formed through a planar polymeric core. A metallic coating is disposed on the core to coat external surfaces of the core as well as internal surfaces of the holes. The metallic coating may entirely occlude the holes. The resulting structure may provide improved strength and rigidity and resist delamination of the metallic coating.

Abstract: Assemblies and techniques are provided for a light guide having a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of light sources optically coupled to the light guide, a grating structure adapted to direct light from a light source of the plurality of light sources to exit the light guide, and a coating on an edge surface of the plurality of edge surfaces, where the coating is adapted to reflect light emitted by the light source.

Abstract: Techniques are described to determine a thickness of individual layers of a plurality of metal layers that include a first metal layer disposed on a polymer material and a second metal layer disposed on the first layer, such that the first layer is between the polymer material and the second layer. A measurement device may determine a resistance of the plurality of metal layers and calculate (e.g., estimate) a thickness of the individual layers based on the resistance of the individual layers and based on a resistivity of individual metals used in the plurality of metal layers. The measurement device may determine whether the individual thicknesses are within predetermined thickness ranges to determine whether to pass a quality control test.

Abstract: In some examples, a portable electronic device may monitor onboard sensor information to detect and characterize a fall event. For example, the device may receive acceleration information from one or more accelerometers for determining that the device is falling, and may receive information from one or more gyroscopes for determining an orientation of the device. Based at least in part on the sensor information, the device may determine the fall duration, an estimated fall height, device orientation before during and after the fall, and/or a coefficient of restitution resulting from the device impacting a surface. The device may store the fall information on the device. Further, in some examples, the device may send the fall information to a remote computing device, which may aggregate the fall information from a plurality of the devices, such as for improving or optimizing the design of the devices.

Abstract: An example method includes positioning a mass at a height opposite a modulator characterized by a particular strain rate and support by a carrier moveably disposed opposite the mass. The method also includes releasing the mass such that the mass impacts the modulator, and an additional component connected to the carrier causes failure of a sample of material. The method further includes determining a displacement of the carrier corresponding to failure of the sample, determining a force applied to the modulator by the mass and resulting in failure of the sample, and determining at least one of a dynamic strength of the sample and a dynamic modulus of the sample. In such a method, the dynamic strength is based on the force applied to the modulator and the strain rate. Additionally, the dynamic modulus is based on the displacement of the carrier and the strain rate.

Abstract: A loudspeaker port may include tunable physical components to tune the port to different frequencies to improve speaker efficiency at those frequencies. The ports may be activated by at least partly opening associated shutters, or disabled by closing the associated shutters. Activated ports may enhance speaker efficiency in a frequency range. However, activated ports may also introduce sound artifacts, thereby reducing sound quality. Therefore, the ports may be disabled when appropriate to reduce their negative impact to sound quality. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) may determine the frequency components of a played sound to determine when to open the ports and how to tune the ports. Accordingly, a loudspeaker may benefit from the improved efficiency facilitated by the ports while also avoiding typical drawbacks created by the ports.

Abstract: An example method includes positioning a mass at a height opposite a modulator characterized by a particular strain rate and support by a carrier moveably disposed opposite the mass. The method also includes releasing the mass such that the mass impacts the modulator, and an additional component connected to the carrier causes failure of a sample of material. The method further includes determining a displacement of the carrier corresponding to failure of the sample, determining a force applied to the modulator by the mass and resulting in failure of the sample, and determining at least one of a dynamic strength of the sample and a dynamic modulus of the sample. In such a method, the dynamic strength is based on the force applied to the modulator and the strain rate. Additionally, the dynamic modulus is based on the displacement of the carrier and the strain rate.

Abstract: Portable multimedia devices, and techniques for their manufacture, are provided that feature functional parts embedded with a resin matrix that obviates the need for traditional structural components such as midframes and/or outer casings. The resin matrix may be provided through the use of a flowable liquid resin that is flowed around the functional components within a mold cavity. The liquid resin may then be cured into the resin matrix.

Abstract: Portable multimedia devices, and techniques for their manufacture, are provided that feature functional parts embedded with a resin matrix that obviates the need for traditional structural components such as midframes and/or outer casings. The resin matrix may be provided through the use of a flowable liquid resin that is flowed around the functional components within a mold cavity. The liquid resin may then be cured into the resin matrix.