Abstract: An apparatus includes a closed drying air circuit and a drum in communication with the closed drying air circuit. A condenser is in communication with the closed drying air circuit. The condenser includes a cooled water inlet that directs cooled water into the heated air to remove moisture from the heated air. The condenser includes a condenser water outlet for egress of water from the condenser. The cooled water inlet of the condenser is configured to receive water from a tap water source. A thermoelectric apparatus having a cold side flow device arranged between the cooled water inlet of the condenser and the tap water source is included. The cold side flow device is configured to receive tap water from the tap water source and cool the tap water below a tap outlet temperature using the thermoelectric device before the tap water enters the cooled water inlet of the condenser.

Abstract: A current collector for use in an energy storage device, particularly a lead-acid battery or lead-carbon capacitor, is provided. The current collector is woven from a plurality of weft composite wires and a plurality of warp composite wires. The composite wires include a core and a metal coating formed around the outer surface of the core. The core includes a plurality of longitudinally extending fibers radially arranged to define interstices between outer surfaces of adjacent fibers, and a matrix positioned within the interstices to such an extent that the core is substantially impervious to fluid (e.g., acid) penetration via capillary forces.