Abstract: A silicon based material in the form of sheet-like silicon porous particles in an electrically conductive material matrix wherein said silicon particles contain nano-sized pores, and a method of producing thereof, are disclosed. The material and the method allow obtaining Li ion batteries with high electric charge capacity and improved cycling performance of the battery anode.

Abstract: A silicon based material in the form of sheet-like silicon porous particles in an electrically conductive material matrix wherein said silicon particles contain nano-sized pores, and a method of producing thereof, are disclosed. The material and the method allow obtaining Li ion batteries with high electric charge capacity and improved cycling performance of the battery anode.

Abstract: Forming a conductive film comprising depositing a non-conductive film on a surface of a substrate, wherein the film contains a plurality of copper nanoparticles and exposing at least a portion of the film to light to make the exposed portion conductive. Exposing of the film to light photosinters or fuses the copper nanoparticles.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is configured to join a vehicle body to a vehicle chassis with a bolt. The mounting assembly includes an outer tube and an inner sleeve. The outer tube defines a sleeve channel, and is configured to be fixed to one of the vehicle chassis and the vehicle body. The inner sleeve is disposed within the sleeve channel of the outer tube, and defines a bolt hole configured to receive the bolt. The outer tube, the inner sleeve, and the bolt cooperate to join the vehicle body to the vehicle chassis. An initiation slot is defined in the outer tube, such that the sleeve channel is an incomplete cylindrical shell.

Abstract: A solution of metal ink is mixed and then printed or dispensed onto the substrate using the dispenser. The film then is dried to eliminate water or solvents. In some cases, a thermal curing step can be introduced subsequent to dispensing the film and prior to the photo-curing step. The substrate and deposited film can be cured using an oven or by placing the substrate on the surface of a heater, such as a hot plate. Following the drying and/or thermal curing step, a laser beam or focused light from the light source is directed onto the surface of the film in a process known as direct writing. The light serves to photo-cure the film such that it has low resistivity.

Abstract: A metallization paste or ink for making electrical contacts on solar cells has reduced diffusion in a silicon wafer. The paste or ink is configured for printing on a crystalline silicon substrate of a solar cell, wherein the paste comprises silicon particles, aluminum particles, and a paste vehicle. Alternatively, the paste comprises aluminum-silicon alloy particles.

Abstract: A releasable chassis mount for a vehicle having a body structure and a chassis and subjectable to an external force includes an outer sleeve, a cylindrical insert, and a chassis bolt. The outer sleeve is attachable to the chassis and has a mount release feature. The cylindrical insert is in an interference fit relationship with the outer sleeve and defines a hole. The chassis bolt extends through the hole for attaching the cylindrical insert to the body structure. The mount release feature is configured to initiate release of the cylindrical insert from the outer sleeve during such external force, whereby to enable the separation of the chassis from the body structure.

Abstract: A metallization paste or ink for making electrical contacts on solar cells has reduced diffusion in a silicon wafer. The paste or ink is configured for printing on a crystalline silicon substrate of a solar cell, wherein the paste comprises silicon particles, aluminum particles, and a paste vehicle. Alternatively, the paste comprises aluminum-silicon alloy particles.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is configured to join a vehicle body to a vehicle chassis with a bolt. The mounting assembly includes an outer tube and an inner sleeve. The outer tube defines a sleeve channel, and is configured to be fixed to one of the vehicle chassis and the vehicle body. The inner sleeve is disposed within the sleeve channel of the outer tube, and defines a bolt hole configured to receive the bolt. The outer tube, the inner sleeve, and the bolt cooperate to join the vehicle body to the vehicle chassis. An initiation slot is defined in the outer tube, such that the sleeve channel is an incomplete cylindrical shell.

Abstract: A method for temperature compensating an air spring of an air spring suspension of a motor vehicle after engine shut-off. A desired trim height is obtained. At engine shut-off, the ambient temperature is measured and the temperature of air in the air spring determined. After a wait time (for loading/unloading), a start trim height is measured. A predicted trim height is determined for when the air in the air spring is at the ambient temperature. Finally, the volume of the air in the air spring is selectively adjusted so that when the air in the air spring arrives at the ambient temperature, the trim height will be about the desired trim height.

Abstract: Nanoparticle inks and powders are sintered using an applied mechanical energy, such as uniaxial pressure, hydrostatic pressure, and ultrasonic energy, which may also include applying a sheer force to the inks or powders in order to make the resultant film or line conductive.

Abstract: For solar cell fabrication, the addition of precursors to printable media to assist etching through silicon nitride or silicon oxide layer thus affording contact with the substance underneath the nitride or oxide layer. The etching mechanism may be by molten ceramics formed in situ, fluoride-based etching, as well as a combination of the two.

Abstract: A silicon solar cell is formed with an N-type silicon layer on a P-type silicon semiconductor substrate. An aluminum ink composition is printed on the back of the silicon wafer to form back contact electrodes. The back contact electrodes are sintered to produce an ohmic contact between the electrodes and the silicon layers. The aluminum ink composition may include aluminum powders, a vehicle, an inorganic polymer, and a dispersant. Other electrodes on the solar cell can be produced in a similar manner with the aluminum ink composition.

Abstract: A cradle for mounting an engine in a vehicle has left and right side members, and a rear cross member and front cross member extending between the left and right side members. The cradle has left and right front body mounts. Left and right deflector devices are mounted respectively on the cradle adjacent the left and right body mounts and forwardly of the vehicle wheels. Each of the left and right deflector devices including an impact receiving member that projects outwardly and rearwardly from the cradle to receive an impact load offset outboard from the body mounts. Each impact receiving member has an upper and lower sheet metal shell providing a top wall welded to a top wall of the cradle and a bottom wall welded to the bottom wall of the cradle, and a front impact receiving wall extending vertically between the top wall and the bottom wall.

Abstract: A cradle for mounting an engine in a vehicle has left and right side members, and a rear cross member and front cross member extending between the left and right side members. The cradle has left and right front body mounts. Left and right deflector devices are mounted respectively on the cradle adjacent the left and right body mounts and forwardly of the vehicle wheels. Each of the left and right deflector devices including an impact receiving member that projects outwardly and rearwardly from the cradle to receive an impact load offset outboard from the body mounts. Each impact receiving member has an upper and lower sheet metal shell providing a top wall welded to a top wall of the cradle and a bottom wall welded to the bottom wall of the cradle, and a front impact receiving wall extending vertically between the top wall and the bottom wall.

Abstract: An air dam deployment and retraction system includes an air dam, a compressor, an air reservoir, a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch. The air dam is configured for moving between a deployed position and a retracted position. The compressor is configured to compress fluid. The air reservoir defines a chamber that is configured to receive a volume of the compressed fluid. The first switch is configured to selectively move between a first inactive position and a first active position. The first inactive position is configured to provide the compressed fluid to the atmosphere. The first active position is configured to provide the compressed fluid from the compressor to one of the chamber of the air reservoir and the air dam. The air dam is configured to move from the retracted position to the deployed position upon receiving the compressed fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle system is provided. The vehicle system includes a vehicle suspension apparatus configured for movement during vehicle travel; an energy harvesting device mounted on the vehicle suspension apparatus and configured to generate electrical energy in response to the movement of the vehicle suspension apparatus; and a sensor mounted on the vehicle suspension apparatus and coupled to the energy harvesting device for receiving the electrical energy.

Abstract: A conductive ink includes metallic nanoparticles, a polymeric dispersant, and a solvent. The polymeric dispersant may be ionic, non-ionic, or any combination of ionic and non-ionic polymeric dispersants. The solvent may include water, an organic solvent, or any combination thereof. The conductive ink may include a stabilizing agent, an adhesion promoter, a surface tension modifier, a defoaming agent, a leveling additive, a rheology modifier, a wetting agent, an ionic strength modifier, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A hybrid carbon nanotube and clay nanofiller is produced by a freeze-drying process performed on clay platelets, and carbon nanotubes grown on the clay platelets using a chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: A metallic ink including a vehicle, a multiplicity of copper nanoparticles, and an alcohol. The conductive metallic ink may be deposited on a substrate by methods including inkjet printing and draw-down printing. The ink may be pre-cured and cured to form a conductor on the substrate.