Abstract: Mechanical micro-switches, such as the power button, and the volume up and down buttons, in the sidewalls of a smart device's frame remain the weak points in terms of reliability. To overcome this shortcoming a transducer, such as a piezoelectric transducer is placed against the sidewall, and at least one micro-slit is configured in the sidewall forming a flap deflectable into the frame. The micro-slits and the flap enable a displacement in a portion of the sidewall in an otherwise very stiff frame that is large enough to be detected by the transducer when a force is applied by the user and a displacement large enough to be sensed by the user, but not too large so as to risk damage of the transducer or other electronic components inside the frame.

Abstract: A method for starting up an electrolytic cell (20) for aluminum production having a cathode block (26) with an upper surface (32), the method comprising: disposing contact resistance material (46) over the upper surface (32) of the cathode block (26); lowering a plurality of anodes (28) to abut the contact resistance material (46); filling the electrolytic cell (20) and covering the anodes (28) with solid electrolyte material (72) comprising crushed electrolytic bath material, cryolite, or mixtures thereof; delivering electrical current to the anodes (28) to at least partially melt the solid electrolyte material (72) and raising the anodes (28) when a predetermined depth of molten electrolyte material has been reached.

Abstract: A method for starting up an electrolytic cell (20) for aluminum production having a cathode block (26) with an upper surface (32), the method comprising: disposing contact resistance material (46) over the upper surface (32) of the cathode block (26); lowering a plurality of anodes (28) to abut the contact resistance material (46); filling the electrolytic cell (20) and covering the anodes (28) with solid electrolyte material (72) comprising crushed electrolytic bath material, cryolite, or mixtures thereof; delivering electrical current to the anodes (28) to at least partially melt the solid electrolyte material (72) and raising the anodes (28) when a predetermined depth of molten electrolyte material has been reached.