Lithium-ion polymer batteries of aluminium-laminated packaging structure have advantages in terms of thermal characteristics and safety but have a weak configuration with respect to external forces compared with other types of cells such as cylindrical and prismatic cells. Thus it is important to protect the batteries of the aluminium-laminated packaging structure under the severe conditions encountered in vehicle operation where excessive mechanical impacts and vibrations may affect the battery system. In this work, an energy storage system for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) has been developed using lithium-ion polymer battery cells with an aluminium-laminated packaging structure and has been tested for structural and electrical durabilities. The test results of combined accelerated vibration and charge-discharge cycling are presented to prove that the battery pack has the durability to satisfy vehicle standards. Three different types of test method have been applied to evaluate the mechanical and electrical durabilities. It was observed that the HEV battery pack satisfied the durability standards required for vehicle applications. The results imply that an aluminiumlaminated cell packaging structure can be a competitive option for physical configuration of cells for vehicle applications.

The patented vertical-axis wind turbines for distributed applications have been developed. The wind turbine system is very efficient in terms of the power-to-swept area and works very quiet even for the installation near houses and buildings and in other applications where traditional, three-blade, horizontal axis turbines are not suitable. The technology behind the new VAWT having twin rotors lies in its guided turbine design which combines inlet-guide vanes, a top-guide vane, and an impulse-type rotor. Its functional assembly makes it unique from all the Savonius rotors or their derivatives. To minimize the inertia effect of yawing system for frequent wind direction change, the twin-rotor turbine is designed to align with the wind direction by a stabilizing tail. The objective of this study is to test a 5 kW, twin-rotor VAWT installed at the Kansas site in terms of the performance, noise level, safety, and durability. The twin-rotor, WindJet turbine of the rated capacity of 5 kW resulted in an annual capacity of 26% or more at average wind speed of 6m/s, and a turbine efficiency of 50% or more.