Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.

Abstract: Aligners having stress force regeneration attributes are described herein. In one variation, a force may be regenerated within the aligner by receiving an aligner within a receptacle post-use by a patient and applying thermal energy to the aligner such that the aligner is maintained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A heating unit comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A chemical reactant material capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate. An igniter is in proximity with the chemical reactant material. A layer of adhesive material overlays at least a portion of at least one of the chemical reactant material and the first surface of the substrate. Other embodiments of the heating unit include a first and a second substrate, each having first and second surfaces positioned with the first surfaces opposing each other in a sandwich construction. A chemical reactant material is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of at least one of the substrates. The first and the second substrates are sealed together to define a cavity containing the chemical reactant material and an igniter is provided in proximity with the chemical reactant material.

Abstract: A device for vaporizing a composition. The device comprises a thermally conductive substrate having a surface, the surface comprising a thermally conductive surface structure. A dry composition capable of a solid to liquid phase change upon being heated to at least a select temperature is disposed on the surface structure. The surface structure is configured to form liquid droplets of the composition upon heating of the surface structure to at least the select temperature. The liquid droplets have a median diameter less than a median diameter of liquid droplets formed on a planar substrate surface heated to at least the select temperature.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods of removing potassium, rubidium, and/or cesium, selectively or in combination, from brines using tetrafluoroborates. Also disclosed are methods of producing potassium, rubidium, and/or cesium chlorides using ionic liquids and exchange media. This invention also generally relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of silica, iron, and potassium compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions of the treated brine contain a concentration of silica ranging from about 0 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg, a concentration of iron ranging from about 0 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, and a concentration of potassium ranging from about 300 mg/kg to about 8500 mg/kg. Other exemplary compositions of the treated brines also contain reduced concentrations of elements like rubidium, cesium, and lithium.

Abstract: Compositions include an aqueous polysaccharide-based gellant system including a polysaccharide and a gel modifier, and a tobacco material. Other compositions include a cellulose matrix, a tobacco material, and a water-soluble polymer. Still other compositions include an alginate, a tobacco material, and an alginate crosslinker. These compositions may be placed in a cartridge for use in a device for delivering nicotine to a user.

Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.

Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.

Abstract: Compositions include an aqueous organic-based gellant system and nicotine or a salt thereof. The compositions are readily prepared and stored in cartridges or used directly in a device for delivering nicotine to a user.

Abstract: Compositions made from combinations including an hydrated ionic clay and a tobacco material are described herein. Methods of manufacture, as well as methods of extracting nicotine from these compositions are also described. The compositions can be used to prepare liquid vaporizable materials by extracting nicotine from tobacco material and directly from the tobacco material and into a liquid vaporizable material.

Abstract: A vaporization device includes a vaporizer cartridge having a reservoir that holds a vaporizable material, a heating element, and a gel wicking element that can draw the vaporizable material to the heating element to be vaporized. The vaporizer cartridge is configured for coupling to a vaporizer device body and containing a vaporizable material. Various embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge are described that include one or more features for the wicking element. Various embodiments of the wicking element, as well as related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: Composite materials for orthodontic applications are described herein. Generally, the multi-layer composite material assembly may comprise a first polymeric layer having a first flexural modulus, a second polymeric layer formed upon the first polymeric layer and having a second flexural modulus which is lower than the first flexural modulus, and a third polymeric layer formed upon the second polymeric layer such that the second polymeric layer is positioned between the first polymeric layer and the third polymeric layer, wherein the third polymeric layer has a third flexural modulus equivalent to the first flexural modulus. An additional fourth polymeric layer may be formed upon the third polymeric layer as well.

Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.

Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods for recovering high purity potassium based salts from brine using carbon dioxide as one of the major consumables. The method of the present invention is zero waste/effluent method which can be effectively used for the preparation of customized fertilizer compositions containing primary, secondary and micro-nutrients, and optionally other chemicals necessary for healthy growth of crops.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing a lithium activated alumina intercalate solid by contacting a three-dimensional activated alumina with a lithium salt under conditions sufficient to infuse lithium salts into activated alumina for the selective extraction and recovery of lithium from lithium containing solutions, including brines.

Abstract: A device for vaporizing a composition. The device comprises a thermally conductive substrate having a surface, the surface comprising a thermally conductive surface structure. A dry composition capable of a solid to liquid phase change upon being heated to at least a select temperature is disposed on the surface structure. The surface structure is configured to form liquid droplets of the composition upon heating of the surface structure to at least the select temperature. The liquid droplets have a median diameter less than a median diameter of liquid droplets formed on a planar substrate surface heated to at least the select temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide efficacious pain management therapies based on delivery of physical medicine(s) via computer-implemented systems. Patient information comprising patient pain symptoms, patient physiological measurements, patient demographics, and other information is received at a pain therapy device. The patient information is compared with pain analytics data compiled on a plurality of individuals to determine a personalized pain management therapy. The personalized pain management therapy is applied via a combination of thermoceuticals, electroceuticals, ultrasound, and several other forms of physical medicine. Sensors coupled to the pain therapy device measure changes in physiological data resulting from the pain management therapy. The personalized pain management therapy can be adjusted based on the changes in the physiological data and/or patient feedback.

Abstract: An assembly and method for producing a condensation aerosol are disclosed. The assembly includes a heat-conductive metal substrate with an oxidation resistant exterior surface and a drug composition film on the exterior surface and is for use in an aerosol device. The thickness of the film and the surface of the substrate is such that the aerosol formed by vaporizing and condensing the drug composition the aerosol contain 10% by weight or less drug-degradation products and at least 50% of the total amount of the drug composition in the film. The methods for treating the exterior surface include heat and chemical treatment and formation of a protective overcoat.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide efficacious therapies based on delivery of combinations of thermoceuticals, electroceuticals, ultrasound via computer-implemented systems. Sensors coupled to the device are configured to measure changes in tissue and bone conditions, physiological data resulting from the delivered therapy. The personalized therapy can be adjusted based on the changes in the physiological or sensor data and/or patient feedback. The patient information, information about the applied therapy, and therapy outcome information can be added to the analytics database.