Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for preparing biopolymer particles. One aspect provides a method comprising extruding a dispersed phase into an anti-solvent to form particles of the biopolymer, wherein the dispersed phase comprises the biopolymer in a solvent. Another aspect provides a method comprising: a membrane emulsification of a dispersed phase into a continuous phase wherein the dispersed phase comprises the biopolymer in a solvent, and wherein passing the dispersed phase through the membrane forms an emulsion of the biopolymer in the continuous phase: and a phase inversion with an anti-solvent to form particles of the biopolymer. In both aspects, each of the solvent and anti-solvent comprises water. Also provided are biopolymer particles obtained from the methods.

Abstract: A heater module includes a heater assembly including a heater and a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the heater, and a trimmable resistor electrically coupled to the temperature sensor or to the heater.

Abstract: A heater module includes a thick-film heating element, the heating element including: a heating conductor; a temperature sensor; and a substrate supporting the heating conductor and the temperature sensor. The heater module includes a resistive conductor having at least one trimming cut formed by a trimming process.

Abstract: A heater including a ceramic heater element and ceramic heat sink whereby the ceramic heater element and the ceramic heat sink are both formed from a plurality of layers of tape cast ceramic material. The ceramic heater element may be generally planar and extends within a first plane. The ceramic heat sink may extend in a second plane which is orthogonal to the first plane. The ceramic heat sink may include a plurality of fins which may be discrete. The layers of the ceramic heater element may be orientated orthogonal to the layers of the ceramic heat sink. The ceramic heater element may comprise a conductive track which may be surface mounted to a distal side of the ceramic heater element than the ceramic heat sink or embedded within the ceramic heater element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for preparing biopolymer particles, said method comprising a membrane emulsification of a dispersed phase into a continuous phase wherein the dispersed phase comprises the biopolymer in a solvent, and wherein passing the dispersed phase through the membrane forms an emulsion of the biopolymer in the continuous phase; and a phase inversion with an anti-solvent to form particles of the biopolymer; wherein prior to (b), the emulsion is cooled to a temperature, T1. Also provided are biopolymer particles obtained from the method.

Abstract: A hand held appliance including a fluid flow path extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a ceramic heater within the fluid flow path wherein the fluid flow path is non-linear and the heater is non-linear. The appliance may include a housing wherein the housing houses the heater and encloses the fluid flow path, and wherein the housing is curved. The heater may be curved. The housing may include a straight section and a curved section and the heater is housed within the curved section. The heater may include at least one heating element comprising a flat ceramic plate and a conductive track. The heating element may be arcuate. The heating element may have a constant curvature.

Abstract: A heater comprising a ceramic heater element and at least two fins for dissipating heat from the ceramic heater element, wherein the ceramic heater element extends along a plane in one dimension and the at least two fins extend away from the plane, and wherein the at least two fins are connected to the ceramic heater element via discrete connecting portions.

Abstract: A hand held appliance including a fluid flow path extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a ceramic heater within the fluid flow path wherein the fluid flow path is non-linear and the heater is non-linear. The appliance may include a housing wherein the housing houses the heater and encloses the fluid flow path, and wherein the housing is curved. The heater may be curved. The housing may include a straight section and a curved section and the heater is housed within the curved section. The heater may include at least one heating element comprising a flat ceramic plate and a conductive track. The heating element may be arcuate. The heating element may have a constant curvature.

Abstract: A heater including a ceramic heater element and ceramic heat sink whereby the ceramic heater element and the ceramic heat sink are both formed from a plurality of layers of tape cast ceramic material. The ceramic heater element may be generally planar and extends within a first plane. The ceramic heat sink may extend in a second plane which is orthogonal to the first plane. The ceramic heat sink may include a plurality of fins which may be discrete. The layers of the ceramic heater element may be orientated orthogonal to the layers of the ceramic heat sink. The ceramic heater element may comprise a conductive track which may be surface mounted to a distal side of the ceramic heater element than the ceramic heat sink or embedded within the ceramic heater element.

Abstract: A heater comprising a ceramic heater element and at least two fins for dissipating heat from the ceramic heater element, wherein the ceramic heater element extends along a plane in one dimension and the at least two fins extend away from the plane, and wherein the at least two fins are connected to the ceramic heater element via discrete connecting portions.