Abstract: A method for forming an electrode, the method including: applying an active layer on a transfer device configured to move the active layer onto a current collector, the active layer including at least one binder, at least one active material, and at least one solvent; heating the active layer to evaporate the at least one solvent and draw the at least one binder to an outer surface of the active layer; and after heating the active layer, applying the active layer to the current collector with the outer surface in contact with the current collector.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing patterned electrodes includes extruding a mixture including an active material, a conductive additive, a binder, and a solvent from an extruder to form an active material layer; laminating the active material layer and a current collector; and patterning the active material layer using a patterned roller including a plurality of projections that form a plurality of features extending into the active material layer.

Abstract: A method of making a cold plate includes stacking three aluminum sheets on top of each other while each of the three aluminum sheets is generally flat. An edge of the three aluminum sheets are secured together. A top one of the aluminum sheets is welded to a middle one of the aluminum sheets at a plurality of first locations and a bottom one of the aluminum sheets is welded to the middle one of the aluminum sheets at a plurality of second locations different than the plurality of first locations. A pressurized medium is supplied between the top one of the aluminum sheets and the bottom one of the aluminum sheets to separate the top one of the aluminum sheets from the bottom one of the aluminum sheets and deform the middle one of the aluminum sheets.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a battery cell includes an imaging device configured to take an image of at least part of the battery cell, and a processor. The processor is configured to perform: determining a region of interest in the acquired image, reducing a sharpness of the acquired image to generate a reference image, comparing the acquired image and the reference image, and identifying a discontinuity of the battery cell based on a difference between the acquired image and the reference image.

Abstract: An omni foam grid system for insertion into a protective case has a grid plate sandwiched between a lower perimeter frame, or series of stepped pegs, and an upper perimeter frame. The grid plate has a lattice that forms round or square holes, into which round or square pegs are frictionally inserted. The lower perimeter frame or a series of stepped pegs position the grid plate above the bottom of the case, such that when an object such as a gun or drone is pressed into the invention, the pegs under the invention depress into the negative space, leaving undepressed pegs on all sides of the object to prevent lateral movement during transport in the case. The lid of the case closes upon the object, thereby securing and protecting it with foam on all sides.

Abstract: A method is provided to reduce the counting times in radiation detection systems using machine learning, wherein the method comprises: receiving output data from a detector which is to detect a target material from a target body; analyzing the output data; identifying a material of interest from the analyzed output data; and controlling a source of the target material to prevent the source from harming the target body. An apparatus is also provided which comprises: a detector to detect radiation and to provide an output data in real-time; and a processor coupled to the detector, wherein the processor is to: receive the output data; analyze the output data; identify a material of interest from the analyzed output data; and control a source of the target material.

Abstract: An omni foam grid system for insertion into a protective case has a grid plate sandwiched between a lower perimeter frame, or series of stepped pegs, and an upper perimeter frame. The grid plate has a lattice that forms round or square holes, into which round or square pegs are frictionally inserted. The lower perimeter frame or a series of stepped pegs position the grid plate above the bottom of the case, such that when an object such as a gun or drone is pressed into the invention, the pegs under the invention depress into the negative space, leaving undepressed pegs on all sides of the object to prevent lateral movement during transport in the case. The lid of the case closes upon the object, thereby securing and protecting it with foam on all sides.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing electrodes for a battery cell includes providing a first free-standing electrode; providing a current collector including holes; providing a second free-standing electrode; and laminating the current collector between the first free-standing electrode and the second free-standing electrode using at least one of heat and pressure and without using a solvent.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously forming alkali metal layers includes heating a laminate structure including a top layer, a bottom layer, and an alkali metal layer sandwiched between opposing facing surfaces of the top layer and the bottom layer. The laminate structure is heated to a peel temperature to at least partially melt the alkali metal layer and form a volume of molten alkali metal at the location of a peel site within the alkali metal layer. The top layer and the bottom layer apart from each other such that the alkali metal layer splits internally at the location of the peel site and is divided between the top layer and the bottom layer.

Abstract: A method for testing a battery component for leakage includes generating a sample from a battery component storing electrolyte using a Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, comparing absorbance levels of the sample at N predetermined frequencies to N predetermined thresholds, respectively, where N is an integer greater than one; and selectively detecting at least one of an electrolyte leak and generating an electrolyte concentration estimate in response to the comparison. The battery component is selected from a group consisting of a battery cell, a battery module, and a battery pack.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include degas equipment and degassing process schemes for providing high throughput extraction of battery cell formation gas. An exemplary method can include loading a battery cell in a sampling chamber of a degas station and creating an opening in the battery cell to release formation gas. A first portion of the formation gas can be routed to a collection chamber of the degas station while the formation gas is prevented from venting. After routing the first portion of the formation gas to the collection chamber, a second portion of the formation gas can be vented until degassing is complete. The first portion of the formation gas can be diluted with a dilution fluid and the diluted first portion of the formation gas can be routed to a cell quality control gas manifold configured to measure battery cell formation gas compositions.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an electrode for a battery cell includes supplying a first electrode film from a first roll. The first electrode film comprises an active material for exchanging lithium ions and a binder. The method includes treating a first side of the first electrode film using a first plasma treatment system; supplying a current collector, and heating and pressing the first side of the first electrode film to a first side of the current collector together using first and second rollers.

Abstract: A quality control system in a battery manufacturing process includes two or more capacitive measurement apparatuses to obtain a capacitance measurement from two or more intermediate products generated during the battery manufacturing process. The system also includes processing circuitry to obtain the capacitive measurement from the two or more capacitive measurement apparatuses, to determine a characteristic of the corresponding intermediate product, and to control at least one process of the battery manufacturing process that produced at least one of the two or more intermediate products based on the characteristic.

Abstract: A method for coating a web with a metal layer includes heating a metal in a container to create molten metal. The metal is selected from a group consisting of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), indium (In), tin (Sn), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb). The method includes coating at least one surface of a web with a metal layer using the molten metal. The web is made of a material selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), stainless steel, polymer, and carbon.

Abstract: A cover is closed on five sides and open on a sixth side, allowing a case to be slid into the cavity formed by the five closed sides. A hasp or plate secures the front of the cover, preventing a thief from opening the case to remove its contents and from pulling the case out of the cover. The cover can be solid, made from steel or another hard substance, and can also be mesh. The cover has bolt holes or other means by which the cover can be secured to a large object such as the bed of a pickup truck.

Abstract: A quality control system analyzes the quality of a battery cell, with the battery cell defining a gas pouch configured to be filled with a gas. The quality control system includes a computational system including a processor and a memory, a manifold defining a passageway extending between an inlet port for receiving the gas and an outlet port, and at least one sensor in electronic communication with the computational system. The sensor is arranged to measure a physical property of the gas and transmit a signal to the computational system corresponding to the physical property of the gas. The computational system analyzes the physical property of the gas, accesses a threshold value corresponding to the physical property, compares the physical property to the threshold value, and assess a quality score for the battery cell. A corresponding method analyzes the quality of the battery cell with the quality control system.

Abstract: A method for coating a web with a metal layer includes heating a metal in a container to create molten metal. The metal is selected from a group consisting of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), indium (In), tin (Sn), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb). The method includes coating at least one surface of a web with a metal layer using the molten metal. The web is made of a material selected from a group consisting of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), stainless steel, polymer, and carbon.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an electrode for an electrochemical cell. The method includes contacting a solid electrode material and a substrate at an interface. The method further includes preparing a liquid electrode material at the interface by heating at least a portion of the solid electrode material to a first temperature. The first temperature is greater than or equal to a melting point of the solid electrode material. The method further includes creating a layer of the liquid electrode material on the substrate by moving at least one of the solid electrode material and the substrate with respect to the other of the solid electrode material and the substrate. The method further includes forming the electrode by cooling the liquid electrode material to a second temperature. The second temperature is less than or equal to the melting point.

Abstract: An adhesive removal tool is provided. An adhesive removal tool for removing adhesive on painted and non-painted automotive parts comprising a bolt coupled through a center hole of rubber wheel via one or more fasteners. The bolt having a threaded portion below a head and meeting a shaft at a midpoint of the bolt and the rubber wheel having an upper lip and a lower lip surround the center hole, the upper lip and the lower lip are surrounded by a donut shaped ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, wherein the head lies flush on the upper lip and the one or more fasteners lie flush against the lower lip when fastened to the threaded portion.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an electrode for an electrochemical cell. The method includes contacting a solid electrode material and a substrate at an interface. The method further includes preparing a liquid electrode material at the interface by heating at least a portion of the solid electrode material to a first temperature. The first temperature is greater than or equal to a melting point of the solid electrode material. The method further includes creating a layer of the liquid electrode material on the substrate by moving at least one of the solid electrode material and the substrate with respect to the other of the solid electrode material and the substrate. The method further includes forming the electrode by cooling the liquid electrode material to a second temperature. The second temperature is less than or equal to the melting point.