Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating system for heating a liquid aerosol-forming substrate is provided, the aerosol-generating system including: an aerosol-forming chamber; and a leakage preventer configured to prevent or reduce leakage of liquid aerosol condensate from the aerosol-generating system.

Abstract: A split saddle bicycle seat assembly for reducing friction and fatigue in a rider's hip joint while riding a bicycle includes a post that is insertable into a bicycle seat sleeve on a bicycle. A pair of arms is each of the arms is slidably coupled to the plate and each of the arms extends laterally away from the post in opposite directions from each other. A pair of saddles is each pivotally coupled to a respective one of the arms. Thus, each of the saddles can support a respective one of the rider's hip joins when the rider mounts the bicycle. Each of the saddles is pivotal downwardly on the respective arm when the respective rider's hip joint rotates as a consequence of a downward stroke on pedals of the bicycle. In this way each of the saddles reduces friction and fatigue in the rider's hip joints when the bicycle is pedaled.

Abstract: A split saddle bicycle seat assembly for reducing friction and fatigue in a rider's hip joint while riding a bicycle includes a post that is insertable into a bicycle seat sleeve on a bicycle. A pair of arms is each of the arms is slidably coupled to the plate and each of the arms extends laterally away from the post in opposite directions from each other. A pair of saddles is each pivotally coupled to a respective one of the arms. Thus, each of the saddles can support a respective one of the rider's hip joins when the rider mounts the bicycle. Each of the saddles is pivotal downwardly on the respective arm when the respective rider's hip joint rotates as a consequence of a downward stroke on pedals of the bicycle. In this way each of the saddles reduces friction and fatigue in the rider's hip joints when the bicycle is pedaled.

Abstract: A system and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles is disclosed. The system includes a mold for receiving an article made of at least one moldable material and, in one example, the article comprises at least one flat region and at least one radial region. The mold comprises an inner bladder that conforms to an inner surface of the article when pressurized and an outer mold that contacts an outer surface of the article. The system also includes an inner electrode spaced from an outer electrode, and a generator operable to generate an alternating electric field between the electrodes and across the article in the mold to obtain substantially even heating of the moldable material in the flat region and the radial region at the end of the heating cycle.

Abstract: A fused-cast refractory product including, as mass percentages on the basis of the oxides and for a total of 100% of the oxides: ZrO2+HfO2: remainder to 100%, with HfO2?5%; SiO2: 1.5% to 7.5%; Al2O3: 1.0% to 3.0%; CaO+SrO: 1.2% to 3.0%; Y2O3: 1.5% to 3.0%; Na2O+K2O: <0.15%; B2O3: <1.0%; P2O5: <0.15%; Fe2O3+TiO2: <0.55%; oxide species other than ZrO2, HfO2, SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O, K2O, B2O3, CaO, SrO, Y2O3, P2O5, Fe2O3 and TiO2: <1.5%.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating a material are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more magnetron assemblies positioned on each of opposing sides of a heating region. The magnetron assemblies positioned on one side of the heating region generate overlapping microwaves that propagate in a first direction through the material, and the magnetron assemblies positioned on the other side of the heating region generate overlapping microwaves that propagate in a second direction through the material. The overlapping microwaves provide a total wave voltage that is substantially constant across the material resulting in substantially even heating of the material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively heating a biological target within a treatment region of a subject is disclosed. The method includes administering to the subject a dielectric heating modulator that becomes associated with the biological target. The method also includes positioning the treatment region between first and second electrodes connected to a generator, and activating the generator to apply an alternating electric field between the first and second electrodes and across the treatment region to thereby heat the treatment region. The dielectric heating modulator causes the biological target to heat at a faster rate than non-targets within the treatment region, which preferably results in the killing of the biological target.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating a treatment region of a subject via the application of an alternating electric field is disclosed. The method includes positioning a treatment region of a subject between a first electrode and a second electrode sized to extend across the treatment region. The first and second electrodes are connected to a generator operable to apply an alternating electric field between the electrodes at a frequency in the range of 1 MHz to 100 MHz. The method also includes activating the generator to apply the alternating electric field between the first and second electrodes and across the treatment region. The alternating electric field causes movement of polar molecules in the treatment region whereby friction resulting from this molecular movement translates into heat throughout the treatment region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively heating adipose cells within a treatment region of a subject is disclosed. The method includes positioning the treatment region between first and second electrodes connected to a generator, and activating the generator to apply an alternating electric field between the first and second electrodes and across the treatment region to thereby heat the treatment region. The adipose cells heat at a faster rate than non-targets within the treatment region, which preferably results in the killing of the adipose cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating a material are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more magnetron assemblies positioned on each of opposing sides of a heating region. The magnetron assemblies positioned on one side of the heating region generate overlapping microwaves that propagate in a first direction through the material, and the magnetron assemblies positioned on the other side of the heating region generate overlapping microwaves that propagate in a second direction through the material. The overlapping microwaves provide a total wave voltage that is substantially constant across the material resulting in substantially even heating of the material.

Abstract: A fused-cast refractory product including, as mass percentages on the basis of the oxides and for a total of 100% of the oxides: ZrO2+HfO2: remainder to 100%, with HfO2?5%; SiO2: 1.5% to 7.5%; Al2O3: 1.0% to 3.0%; CaO+SrO: 1.2% to 3.0%; Y2O3: 1.5% to 3.0%; Na2O+K2O: <0.15%; B2O3: <1.0%; P2O5: <0.15%; Fe2O3+TiO2: <0.55%; oxide species other than ZrO2, HfO2, SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O, K2O, B2O3, CaO, SrO, Y2O3, P2O5, Fe2O3 and TiO2: <1.5%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for making hollow foam balls and other molded objects. A mold is provided that is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A raw material is loaded into a plurality of molding cavities of the mold when the mold is in its open position, and a first alternating electric field is applied across the mold to heat the raw material in the molding cavities and thereby form a plurality of molded pieces. The mold is then moved from its open position to its closed position whereby a first group of molded pieces is aligned with a second group of molded pieces. A second alternating electric field is applied across the mold to heat bond the first group of molded pieces with the second group of molded pieces and thereby form a plurality of molded objects. Finally, the mold is moved from its closed position to its open position to enable unloading of the molded objects from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermoelectric device that includes a plurality of thermoelectric couples positioned between a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein each thermoelectric couple comprises n-type and p-type element assemblies electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel. When the device is used for electrical power generation, the efficiency is increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient, increasing the distance between the n-type and p-type element assemblies, increasing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates, and/or using an insulation plate spaced from the top plate. When the device is used for heating/cooling, the coefficients of performance are increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient and/or optimizing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermoelectric device that includes a plurality of thermoelectric couples positioned between a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein each thermoelectric couple comprises n-type and p-type element assemblies electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel. When the device is used for electrical power generation, the efficiency is increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient, increasing the distance between the n-type and p-type element assemblies, increasing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates, and/or using an insulation plate spaced from the top plate. When the device is used for heating/cooling, the coefficients of performance are increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient and/or optimizing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating a treatment region of a subject by providing a substantially constant current across the treatment region is disclosed. The method includes positioning the treatment region between first and second electrodes connected to a generator operable to apply an alternating electric field between the electrodes. The method also includes displacing any air located between the treatment region and the first and second electrodes with one or more flowable materials that allow a substantially constant current to pass between the first and second electrodes and through the treatment region. The method further includes activating the generator to apply the alternating electric field between the first and second electrodes and across the treatment region to thereby heat the treatment region.

Abstract: A system and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles is disclosed. The system includes a mold for receiving an article made of at least one moldable material and, in one example, the article comprises at least one flat region and at least one radial region. The mold comprises an inner bladder that conforms to an inner surface of the article when pressurized and an outer mold that contacts an outer surface of the article. The system also includes an inner electrode spaced from an outer electrode, and a generator operable to generate an alternating electric field between the electrodes and across the article in the mold to obtain substantially even heating of the moldable material in the flat region and the radial region at the end of the heating cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for making hollow foam balls and other molded objects. A mold is provided that is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A raw material is loaded into a plurality of molding cavities of the mold when the mold is in its open position, and a first alternating electric field is applied across the mold to heat the raw material in the molding cavities and thereby form a plurality of molded pieces. The mold is then moved from its open position to its closed position whereby a first group of molded pieces is aligned with a second group of molded pieces. A second alternating electric field is applied across the mold to heat bond the first group of molded pieces with the second group of molded pieces and thereby form a plurality of molded objects. Finally, the mold is moved from its closed position to its open position to enable unloading of the molded objects from the mold.

Abstract: An engine including a block that has first and second intersecting pathways, and first and second rotors positioned within the first and second pathways, respectively. The first and second rotors are moveable within the first and second pathways, respectively, between first and second combustion positions. A first combustion chamber is formed within the first pathway between the first and second rotors when they are in the first combustion position, and a second combustion chamber is formed within the second pathway between the first and second rotors when they are in the second combustion position. The pathways and rotors are preferably torus shaped, and the rotors preferably have concave leading and trailing ends. The engine block preferably has a single intake for both of the first and second combustion chambers. Recesses are preferably formed in the block to receive seals that engage the rotors.

Abstract: An engine including a block that has first and second intersecting pathways, and first and second rotors positioned within the first and second pathways, respectively. The first and second rotors are moveable within the first and second pathways, respectively, between first and second combustion positions. A first combustion chamber is formed within the first pathway between the first and second rotors when they are in the first combustion position, and a second combustion chamber is formed within the second pathway between the first and second rotors when they are in the second combustion position. The pathways and rotors are preferably torus shaped, and the rotors preferably have concave leading and trailing ends. The engine block preferably has a single intake for both of the first and second combustion chambers. Recesses are preferably formed in the block to receive seals that engage the rotors.