Abstract: A sterilization method and apparatus uses ultrasonic vibrations and a sterilant bath, preferably ozone or hydrogen peroxide, for cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing an article, whereby the ultrasonic vibrations generate cavitation microbubbles for damaging microbiological forms in the bath or on the article. The cavitation microbubbles have a diameter of 1-20 microns, preferably 1-10 microns. The use of cavitation microbubbles makes the method and apparatus more effective against microbiological forms. The cavitation microbubbles are generated at ultrasonic vibration frequencies above 100 k Hz and up to 2 Mhz, preferably 250 k Hz to 2 MHz and most preferably at about 500 k Hz.

Abstract: An inductor including a magnetic core (30) including at least one magnetic core element (32), the magnetic core (30) having a first portion (38) spaced from and facing a second portion (42), at least one winding (36) supported by the magnetic core (30), and a thermally conductive element (10) having a thermal conductivity greater than about 100 w/mK in thermal contact with the first and second portions (38, 42), the electrically conductive element (10) defining a plurality of paths (26) from the first portion (38) to the second portion (42), the paths (26) being filled with an electrically insulative material (28). A method of cooling an inductor with a heat transfer device (10) is also disclosed.