Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a liquid storage for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, a first pair of electrodes, a second pair of electrodes and a control system. The liquid storage includes a first portion in fluid communication with a second portion. The first pair of electrodes is adjacent to or in the first portion of the liquid storage. The second pair of electrodes is adjacent to or in the second portion of the liquid storage portion. The control system is configured to measure an electrical quantity between the first pair of electrodes, measure an electrical quantity between the second pair of electrodes, and determine the orientation of the liquid storage portion based on the electrical quantity between the first pair of electrodes and the electrical quantity between the second pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A central database system trains and applies machine-learned models based on characteristics of one or more entities associated with the central database system. For instance, the central database system trains a machine-learned model configured to identify issues a target entity is likely to encounter based on training data identifying characteristics of historical entities and issues faced by the historical entities. Likewise, the central database system trains machine-learned models configured to predict actions that entities are likely to take in the future, and resources required to take those actions. The central database system can then perform one or more proactive actions or make one or more recommendations based on the predicted issues, the predicted future actions, and the predicted required resources.

Abstract: A central database system trains and applies machine-learned models based on characteristics of one or more entities associated with the central database system. For instance, the central database system trains a machine-learned model configured to identify issues a target entity is likely to encounter based on training data identifying characteristics of historical entities and issues faced by the historical entities. Likewise, the central database system trains machine-learned models configured to predict actions that entities are likely to take in the future, and resources required to take those actions. The central database system can then perform one or more proactive actions or make one or more recommendations based on the predicted issues, the predicted future actions, and the predicted required resources.

Abstract: A central database system trains and applies machine-learned models based on characteristics of one or more entities associated with the central database system. For instance, the central database system trains a machine-learned model configured to identify issues a target entity is likely to encounter based on training data identifying characteristics of historical entities and issues faced by the historical entities. Likewise, the central database system trains machine-learned models configured to predict actions that entities are likely to take in the future, and resources required to take those actions. The central database system can then perform one or more proactive actions or make one or more recommendations based on the predicted issues, the predicted future actions, and the predicted required resources.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 3D-printed tire segment model having a tread portion comprising a plurality of grooves, ribs and/or tread blocks, and a plurality of blades extending out of the ribs and/or tread blocks, wherein the tire segment model is made of a 3D-printed polymer. Moreover, the present invention is drawn to a method of making a tire mold segment, including the step of 3D-printing the above tire segment model with a polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 3D-printed tire segment model having a tread portion comprising a plurality of grooves, ribs and/or tread blocks, and a plurality of blades extending out of the ribs and/or tread blocks, wherein the tire segment model is made of a 3D-printed polymer. Moreover, the present invention is drawn to a method of making a tire mold segment, including the step of 3D-printing the above tire segment model with a polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 3D-printed tire segment model having a tread portion comprising a plurality of grooves, ribs and/or tread blocks, and a plurality of blades extending out of the ribs and/or tread blocks, wherein the tire segment model is made of a 3D-printed polymer. Moreover, the present invention is drawn to a method of making a tire mold segment, including the step of 3D-printing the above tire segment model with a polymer.

Abstract: A method for controlling power supplied to an aerosol-generating element of an aerosol-generating device is provided, the aerosol-generating device including a controller and a battery configured to deliver power to the aerosol-generating element and to the controller, and the method including steps of: measuring at least one first characteristic of the battery, the first characteristic being a temperature or an internal resistance of the battery; and deactivating or disabling the aerosol-generating device if the measured temperature is less than a minimum temperature or the measured internal resistance of the battery is greater than a maximum internal resistance. A controller for an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating device, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powder composition I comprising nanoparticles A blended with a polyolefinic powder II, said polyolefinic powder II containing particles B embedded in a polyolefinic matrix C, nanoparticles A being metal or metal oxide nanoparticles and particles B being metal, nitride, carbide or metal oxide micro or nanoparticles, said powder composition I containing at least 90 wt % of polyolefinic matrix C relative to the total weight of the powder composition I. The invention further relates to the preparation of said powder composition I and its use in an additive process for the preparation of a 3D printed article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device that is configured for generating an inhalable aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming substrate. The device comprises a device housing for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate and a pyrometer for determining a temperature of a heated target surface within the device housing. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising such an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article for use with the device including an aerosol-forming substrate.

Abstract: A device for ventilating the occupant of a vehicle seat, comprising an air inlet receiving air from a ventilation member, and comprising a first duct integrated at least in part into the backrest of the seat, a second duct integrated into a headrest mounted on the seat and supplying at least one air outlet integrated into the headrest and expelling air coming from the ventilation member, the second duct and first duct being connected by a leak tight sliding connection.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including: a piezoelectric transducer; drive circuitry connected to the piezoelectric transducer and configured to apply an oscillating current to the transducer; and control circuitry connected to the drive circuitry and configured to monitor a resonant behavior of the piezoelectric transducer, the control circuitry being further configured to control the operation of the drive circuitry based on the resonant behavior of the piezoelectric transducer, in which the piezoelectric transducer forms part of a transducer assembly in a liquid pump, and the transducer assembly includes a membrane or surface configured to contact a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the transducer assembly being configured to drive the membrane or surface into vibration, the vibration of the membrane or surface forcing the liquid through an adjacent liquid valve in the liquid pump. A method of operating an aerosol generating device is also provided.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating system provided, including an electrically operated aerosol-generating element; a first electrochemical energy storage device (EESD) configured to supply electrical power to the aerosol-generating element; and an EESD temperature control system including at least one temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature of the first EESD and an electrical heater configured to heat the first EESD, wherein the EESD temperature control system operates the electrical heater dependent on an output from the at least one temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling power supplied to an aerosol-generating element of an aerosol-generating device is provided, the aerosol-generating device including a controller and a battery configured to deliver power to the aerosol-generating element and to the controller, and the method including steps of: measuring at least one first characteristic of the battery, the first characteristic being a temperature or an internal resistance of the battery; and deactivating or disabling the aerosol-generating device if the measured temperature is less than a minimum temperature or the measured internal resistance of the battery is greater than a maximum internal resistance. A controller for an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating device, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating assembly (10) of an aerosol-generating device for heating aerosol-forming substrate. The heating assembly comprises a chemical heating device (200) configured to generate primary heat by an exothermic chemical reaction and to supply the primary heat to an aerosol-forming substrate for heating the substrate. The heating assembly further comprises an electrical heating device (100) configured to electrically generate and supply secondary heat to the aerosol-forming substrate for heating the substrate. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating device including such a heating assembly.

Abstract: A device for ventilating the occupant of a vehicle seat, comprising an air inlet receiving air from a ventilation member, and comprising a first duct integrated at least in part into the backrest of the seat, a second duct integrated into a headrest mounted on the seat and supplying at least one air outlet integrated into the headrest and expelling air coming from the ventilation member, the second duct and first duct being connected by a leak tight sliding connection.

Abstract: A method for controlling power supplied to an aerosol-generating element of an aerosol-generating device is provided, the aerosol-generating device including an aerosol-generating element, a control unit, and a battery configured to deliver power to the aerosol-generating element and to the control unit, the control unit being configured to adjust a duty cycle of a current supplied from the battery to the aerosol-generating element; and the method including measuring, using a measuring unit, at least one first characteristic of the battery, the at least one first characteristic comprising a temperature of the battery; and adjusting, using the control unit, a value of the duty cycle based on a predetermined rule which outputs the value of duty cycle based on the measured at least one battery characteristic. An aerosol-generating device is also provided.

Abstract: A device for ventilating the occupant of a vehicle seat, comprising an air inlet receiving air from a ventilation member, and comprising a first duct integrated at least in part into the backrest of the seat, a second duct integrated into a headrest mounted on the seat and supplying at least one air outlet integrated into the headrest and expelling air coming from the ventilation member, the second duct and first duct being connected by a leaktight sliding connection.