Abstract: Provided are liquid treatment systems (e.g., water desalinization systems, water softening systems, water purification systems), system components, methods of fabricating components and systems, and methods of operating the systems. A liquid treatment system may include a first electrode and a second electrode. During operation of the system, the treated liquid may flow between and, in some embodiments, through these electrodes and release contaminants that are electrolytically deposited on these electrodes. At least one electrode may include a non-conductive support and an active structure mechanically supported by the non-conductive support and a conductive assist structure disposed between the active structure and the non-conductive support. The non-conductive support may be a polymer film, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. Unlike conventional metallic substrates, the non-conductive support is more resistant to corrosion.

Abstract: Provided are battery packs and methods of fabricating these battery packs. A battery pack includes multiple battery cells stacked together along the center axis of the pack and electrically interconnected with each other by, for example, direct physical contact. The connections may be easily separable by pulling one cell away from another. The stack is enclosed by a pack housing that includes two ends caps and a middle section extending between and supporting the two end caps. One end cap may be removable for accessing to the stack. Furthermore, the end caps may be used to form electrical connections to the battery pack. The middle section of the pack housing may be used for thermal management of the pack. For example, the middle section may include a compartment for a heat transfer material for adding or removing the heat from the battery cells during their operation.