Abstract: An electronic device includes a casing including an annular light-emitting area, a plurality of directly-lit light sources, a light guide plate disposed between the directly-lit light sources and the annular light-emitting area, and a light-shielding rib structure located between the directly-lit light sources, and separating any two adjacent ones of the directly-lit light sources. The light guide plate includes opposite first and second surfaces and a plurality of recessed structures recessed in the second surface. The recessed structure has a corresponding semi-conical surface, and the semi-conical surface faces a zone of the light guide plate. The directly-lit light sources face the first surface and respectively correspond to the semi-conical surfaces. Light emitted by the directly-lit light sources enters the light guide plate and is reflected by the semi-conical surfaces, passes through the zones of the light guide plate, and is transmitted to the annular light-emitting area to emit outwardly.

Abstract: A machine and method are presented for continuously forming a woven composite with controllable internal fabric geometry. The machine may include one or more spools for dispensing one or more warp filaments, a roller assembly configured to receive a composite weave, a warp rack having warp heads for engaging the warp filaments and vertically adjusting position to dynamically create a weave pattern in response to the insertion of one or more weft filaments by a weft inserter stack.

Abstract: A machine and method are presented for continuously forming a woven composite with controllable internal fabric geometry. The machine may include one or more spools for dispensing one or more warp filaments, a roller assembly configured to receive a composite weave, a warp rack having warp heads for engaging the warp filaments and vertically adjusting position to dynamically create a weave pattern in response to the insertion of one or more weft filaments by a weft inserter stack.

Abstract: A method of recycling batteries includes steps of: shredding the batteries to generate a shredded battery feed material, wetting the shredded battery feed material with an ammonia carbonate lixiviant to generate a slurry, separating the battery feed material in the slurry into a relatively light fraction material slurry and a relatively heavy fraction material slurry, processing the relatively light fraction material slurry in a first counter current ammoniacal leaching and decanting circuit to produce a first pregnant leaching solution including a soluble lithium (Li) component, and processing the relatively heavy fraction material slurry in a second counter current ammoniacal leaching and decanting circuit to produce a second pregnant leaching solution including, if present in the batteries, soluble nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) components and insoluble graphite, iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn) and rare earth element (REEs) components

Abstract: An electrode stack for a solid-state battery is provided. The electrode stack includes a cathode. The cathode includes a cathode current collector and a first layer of material applied to the cathode current collector. The first layer of material includes a cathode active material, a first ionomer configured as a first binder, and a conductive material. The electrode stack further includes a solid electrolyte separator layer, including a second ionomer configured as a second binder. The electrode stack further includes an anode including a layer including lithium metal, silicon, or graphite and an anode current collector. One of the first ionomer and the second ionomer includes a shape-memory ionomer configured for selectively restoring the electrode stack to an original shape.

Abstract: A machine and method are presented for continuously forming a woven composite with controllable internal fabric geometry. The machine may include one or more spools for dispensing one or more warp filaments, a roller assembly configured to receive a composite weave, a warp rack having warp heads for engaging the warp filaments and vertically adjusting position to dynamically create a weave pattern in response to the insertion of one or more weft filaments by a weft inserter stack.

Abstract: A machine and method are presented for continuously forming a woven composite with controllable internal fabric geometry. The machine may include one or more spools for dispensing one or more warp filaments, a roller assembly configured to receive a composite weave, a warp rack having warp heads for engaging the warp filaments and vertically adjusting position to dynamically create a weave pattern in response to the insertion of one or more weft filaments by a weft inserter stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers and thin films for optical and electromagnetic sensor and actuator application, comprising the following steps of: selecting materials for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers; and fabricating patterned CNCs composite nanofibers by incorporating secondary phases either during electrospinning or post-processing, wherein the secondary phases may include dielectrics, electrically or magnetically activated nanoparticles or polymers and biological cells mechanically reinforced by CNCs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers and thin films for optical and electromagnetic sensor and actuator application, comprising the following steps of: selecting materials for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers; and fabricating patterned CNCs composite nanofibers by incorporating secondary phases either during electrospinning or post-processing, wherein the secondary phases may include dielectrics, electrically or magnetically activated nanoparticles or polymers and biological cells mechanically reinforced by CNCs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers and thin films for optical and electromagnetic sensor and actuator application, comprising the following steps of: selecting materials for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers; and fabricating patterned CNCs composite nanofibers by incorporating secondary phases either during electrospinning or post-processing, wherein the secondary phases may include dielectrics, electrically or magnetically activated nanoparticles or polymers and biological cells mechanically reinforced by CNCs.

Abstract: A machine and method are presented for continuously forming a woven composite with controllable internal fabric geometry. The machine may include one or more spools for dispensing one or more warp filaments, a roller assembly configured to receive a composite weave, a warp rack having warp heads for engaging the warp filaments and vertically adjusting position to dynamically create a weave pattern in response to the insertion of one or more weft filaments by a weft inserter stack.

Abstract: A blimp includes a circular disk-shaped envelope filled with a lighter-than-air gas. A gondola is affixed to an underside of the envelope and is disposed at a region directly below a center point of the circle defined by the intersection of the envelope and the horizontal plane. The gondola includes: a horizontally-disposed elongated circuit board that functions as a structural member of the gondola; and a vertical member extending upwardly from the circuit board and having a top that is attached to the underside of the envelope. A thrusting mechanism is affixed to the gondola and is configured to generate thrust. An electronics suite is disposed on and electrically coupled to the circuit board and includes a blimp processor configured to generate control signals that control the thrusting mechanism. A battery is affixed to the gondola and provides power to the electronics suit and the thrusting mechanism.

Abstract: A machine and method are presented for continuously forming a woven composite with controllable internal fabric geometry. The machine may include one or more spools for dispensing one or more warp filaments, a roller assembly configured to receive a composite weave, a warp rack having a plurality of warp heads for engaging the warp filaments and vertically adjusting position to dynamically create a weave pattern in response to the insertion of one or more weft filaments by a weft inserter stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers and thin films for optical and electromagnetic sensor and actuator application, comprising the following steps of: selecting materials for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers; and fabricating patterned CNCs composite nanofibers by incorporating secondary phases either during electrospinning or post-processing, wherein the secondary phases may include dielectrics, electrically or magnetically activated nanoparticles or polymers and biological cells mechanically reinforced by CNCs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers and thin films for optical and electromagnetic sensor and actuator application, comprising the following steps of: selecting materials for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers; and fabricating patterned CNCs composite nanofibers by incorporating secondary phases either during electrospinning or post-processing, wherein the secondary phases may include dielectrics, electrically or magnetically activated nanoparticles or polymers and biological cells mechanically reinforced by CNCs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers and thin films for optical and electromagnetic sensor and actuator application, comprising the following steps of: selecting materials for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers; and fabricating patterned CNCs composite nanofibers by incorporating secondary phases either during electrospinning or post-processing, wherein the secondary phases may include dielectrics, electrically or magnetically activated nanoparticles or polymers and biological cells mechanically reinforced by CNCs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers and thin films for optical and electromagnetic sensor and actuator application, comprising the following steps of: selecting materials for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers; and fabricating patterned CNCs composite nanofibers by incorporating secondary phases either during electrospinning or post-processing, wherein the secondary phases may include dielectrics, electrically or magnetically activated nanoparticles or polymers and biological cells in mechanically reinforced by CNCs.

Abstract: Electrodes for rechargeable batteries that include silicon and a binder are provided. Binders for use with silicon electrodes are provided, including polysiloxane binders that can be prepared prior to preparation of the electrode, or provided as monomers to be cure-polymerized at the time of the curing of the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers and thin films for optical and electromagnetic sensor and actuator application, comprising the following steps of: selecting materials for fabricating patterned cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite nanofibers; and fabricating patterned CNCs composite nanofibers by incorporating secondary phases either during electrospinning or post-processing, wherein the secondary phases may include dielectrics, electrically or magnetically activated nanoparticles or polymers and biological cells in mechanically reinforced by CNCs.

Abstract: Methods for making an electrode, such as a negative electrode or a positive electrode, for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, are provided. The method includes a cross-linking step and a carbonizing step. The cross-linking step includes cross-linking a first mixture including a polymeric binder and an electroactive material including silicon, lithium, graphite, and a combination thereof to form a cross-linked intermediate electrode. The cross-linked intermediate electrode includes the electroactive material dispersed within the polymeric binder, wherein at least a portion of the polymeric binder is cross-linked. The carbonizing step includes plasma treating the cross-linked intermediate electrode or exposing the cross-linked intermediate electrode to electromagnetic radiation.