Abstract: An elongate metallic heater element is provided for an aerosol-generating device, the heater element extending between proximal and distal ends, the proximal end configured for mounting to the device for electrical communication with the device, the heater element including either or both of: a plurality of surface notches formed on a surface of the heater element, and a plurality of sub-surface cavities defined beneath the surface of the heater element, at least some of the plurality of surface notches and the sub-surface cavities of the heater element are provided in an inner region of the heater element extending between the proximal end and 33% of a length of the heater element relative to the proximal end, and in which at least 40% by volume of all of the plurality of surface notches and the sub-surface cavities of the heater element are provided in the inner region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a casting apparatus (101) for the production of a cast web (1) of a material containing alkaloids, said casting apparatus comprising: ?a casting box (10) having casting box walls including a first and a second opposite walls (12, 14), and adapted to contain a slurry (2); ?a movable support (20); ?a casting blade (70) adapted to cast the slurry contained in the casting box onto the movable support so as to form the cast web (1) of said material containing alkaloids; and ?a bar-like element (80, 180, 280, 380, 480) located inside the casting box (10) in contact with the slurry (2), the bar-like element being positioned at a first and at a second distance from the first and the second opposite walls (12, 14), respectively, so that the slurry (2) can flow around the bar-like element.