Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for decorating a can comprising a base, a curvilinear side surface extending in an upward direction from the base and comprising a neck and flanged portion, wherein the base and curvilinear side surface are formed using a metallic material, and at least one layer each of a first ink and a first overvarnish applied on at least a portion of the curvilinear side surface. The method further comprises surface treating the curvilinear side surface to increase a surface energy of the first overvarnish, applying one or more layers of an obscurant coating to the portion of the curvilinear side surface, wherein the portion may or may not include the neck and flanged portion, applying one or more layers of a second overvarnish and/or second ink to the portion of the curvilinear surface of the can, and curing the can.

Abstract: A microporous battery separator may be laminated to electrodes and manipulated through manufacturing on a continuous roll of material. Batteries may be constructed by layering the laminated electrodes and separator into various configurations, including flat and wound cell batteries. The separator may or may not contain a nonwoven or other reinforcement, and may be laminated to the electrodes using several different methods.

Abstract: A system for charging batteries by applying a high voltage finish charge to a battery with an electronic charging device connected in series between a state-of-the-art charging system or alternator and the to-be-charged battery, without the use of any other external power source.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor is manufactured from a woven carbon fiber material that is partially saturated with structural resin. The portion of the carbon fiber material that contains the resin may be used as a structural element in spacecraft or other applications. The carbon fibers of the woven material are used both as the current collector and the electrode. Activated carbon fiber material may be used or only the electrode portion of the carbon fibers may be activated.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved imaging system and method. The imaging system is of the type having a medical instrument including a source for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion. The imaging system further includes detector for detecting the energy and a processor for determining the location of the medical instrument based on the detected energy. Such an imaging system is improved by providing a storage device on or in the medical instrument for storing initialization information, such as the location of the energy-emitting means relative to the instrument body. A transfer device is provided for transferring the initialization information from the storage device to the processor upon connection of the medical instrument to the processor. In this manner, the processor may then configure itself according to the attached instrument so that the system may track the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space upon detection of the emitted energy.