Abstract: A hair iron according to one example embodiment includes a first arm and a second arm movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. A contact surface is positioned on an exterior of the first arm for contacting hair during use. The hair iron includes a heater having a ceramic substrate and an electrical resistor material thick film printed on a surface of the ceramic substrate. The heater generates heat by applying an electric current to the electrical resistor material. The heater is positioned to supply heat to the contact surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide polishing pads having a composite pad body and methods for forming the polishing pads. In one embodiment, the composite pad body includes one or more first features formed from a first material or a first composition of materials, and one or more second features formed from a second material or a second composition of materials, wherein the one or more first features and the one or more second features are formed by depositing a plurality of layers comprising the first material or first composition of materials and second material or second composition of materials.

Abstract: Improved inspection techniques are described herein for checking for the presence of and identifying surface defects on a honeycomb body. The improved inspection utilizes measurement of travel of an outer surface of the honeycomb body to collect images of the outer surface. The images are combined into a composite image showing the outer surface of the honeycomb body. The composite image is analyzed to identify surface defects.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a sensor, a computer memory, and a processor. The sensor is configured to be disposed on a vehicle, and is configured to obtain sound or vibration data for the vehicle. The computer memory is configured to store a plurality of known signatures pertaining to a plurality of different types of vehicle theft events. The processor is configured to: compare a signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures stored in the computer memory; and determine whether a vehicle theft event is occurring based on the comparing of the signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) is provided. The EVCS includes a charging chassis that is configured to support a charging circuitry for providing a charge current to an electric vehicle and a multi-conductor cable that is attached to the charging chassis and that receives the charging current from the charging circuitry and that transmits the charging current to the electric vehicle. The EVCS further includes a user interface that is attached to the charging chassis and that is configured to provide digital content to a vehicle operator during a charging event of the electric vehicle. The charging chassis includes multiple user interface attachment structures that are each configured to support the user interface.

Abstract: A hair iron according to one example embodiment includes a first arm and a second arm movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. A contact surface is positioned on an exterior of the first arm for contacting hair during use. The hair iron includes a heater having a ceramic substrate and an electrical resistor material thick film printed on a surface of the ceramic substrate. The heater generates heat by applying an electric current to the electrical resistor material. The heater is positioned to supply heat to the contact surface.

Abstract: An ice maker includes an ice mold having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the ice mold is configured to retain water for forming ice cubes in the ice mold. The ice mold includes a plurality of ice lobes each shaped to form a respective ice cube in the ice mold. A heater assembly is positioned on the outer surface of the ice mold. In some embodiments, each of a plurality of heating elements of the heater assembly is aligned with a corresponding lobe of the plurality of lobes for supplying heat to ice cubes formed in the lobes for releasing the ice cubes from the ice mold. In some embodiments, the heater assembly includes a heater having a ceramic substrate and one or more electrically resistive traces and electrically conductive traces thick film printed on the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a hair iron having a ceramic heater between first and second arms movable relative to each other between open and closed positions. The ceramic heater has resistive traces that heat up hair during use upon being connected to a power source. On a side of the ceramic heater opposite the resistive traces, a layer of metal is formed to spread out during use the heat from the resistive traces. The metal may be formed as a single or multiple layers. The composition of the metal can be, representatively, pure or alloys of silver, copper, or aluminum with platinum or palladium. The shape of the metal varies as does its coverage on a surface area of the ceramic heater.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a hair iron having a ceramic heater between first and second arms movable relative to each other between open and closed positions. The ceramic heater has resistive traces that heat up hair during use upon being connected to a power source. On a side of the ceramic heater opposite the resistive traces, a layer of metal is formed to spread out during use the heat from the resistive traces. The metal may be formed as a single or multiple layers. The composition of the metal can be, representatively, pure or alloys of silver, copper, or aluminum with platinum or palladium. The shape of the metal varies as does its coverage on a surface area of the ceramic heater.

Abstract: An ice maker includes an ice mold having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the ice mold is configured to retain water for forming ice cubes in the ice mold. The ice mold includes a plurality of ice lobes each shaped to form a respective ice cube in the ice mold. A heater assembly is positioned on the outer surface of the ice mold. In some embodiments, each of a plurality of heating elements of the heater assembly is aligned with a corresponding lobe of the plurality of lobes for supplying heat to ice cubes formed in the lobes for releasing the ice cubes from the ice mold. In some embodiments, the heater assembly includes a heater having a ceramic substrate and one or more electrically resistive traces and electrically conductive traces thick film printed on the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a hair iron having a controller and a heater between first and second arms movable relative to each other between open and closed positions. The controller connects or not the heater to a line voltage to heat hair when placed between the arms during use. A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller communicates with a thermistor measuring a current temperature of the heater and makes requests of the controller to operate the heater at a setpoint temperature. In various embodiments, the heater heats to full power during warm-up and operates thereafter at lower temperatures based on a reading of the line voltage and a time to adjust the current temperature to the desired setpoint temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a hair iron having a controller and a heater between first and second arms movable relative to each other between open and closed positions. The controller connects or not the heater to a line voltage to heat hair when placed between the arms during use. A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller communicates with a thermistor measuring a current temperature of the heater and makes requests of the controller to operate the heater at a setpoint temperature. In various embodiments, the heater heats to full power during warm-up and operates thereafter at lower temperatures based on a reading of the line voltage and a time to adjust the current temperature to the desired setpoint temperature.

Abstract: A control system for a jet propelled watercraft comprising a hull with a transom and water jet unit, the control system comprising, as a transom mountable unit, a tiller controlled thrust vectoring nozzle and an actuator controlled jet deflection member for forward direction steering and reversing respectively of the jet propelled watercraft.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal organic framework materials (MOFs), comprising an extra-framework NO releasing compound within the internal pores and/or channels of the MOF, the NO-releasing compounds and their preparation and uses. The MOFs and NO-releasing compounds are capable of releasing NO on application of an external stimulus and may provide materials with multiple modes of antibacterial and/or drug action.

Abstract: A cabin heater for a vehicle includes a frame with spaced apart longitudinal supports to locate a common electrical return and a power input. Pluralities of heating units extend between the supports and attach to the return and input. Each unit has a ceramic heater and one or more positive temperature coefficient (PTC) elements. The ceramic heater quickly and directly heats air and helps lower the inrush current of each PTC element upon initial powering. The power input also includes conductive rails spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another to individually supply power to either the ceramic heater or the PTC elements, but not both. Conductive extensions pass through the rails and fold into contact to power either the heater or the PTC elements. The electrical return commonly attaches the PTC elements and the heater, including a spring connection.

Abstract: A heater for a passenger cabin includes a body for holding fluid coolant. A top and bottom lid cover the body and at least one heater module resides between the lids to heat the fluid coolant. The heater module has a base substrate with a longitudinally extending resistive trace and conductor to apply an external voltage to the trace for heating. Glass overlies the trace. Various embodiments teach substrates of alumina, aluminum nitride, and four heater modules parallel to one another. The modules mount parallel, perpendicular, or angled to a fluid inlet of the body.

Abstract: A cooking device according to one example embodiment includes a base having a cooking vessel for retaining food for cooking. A lid is movable relative to the base between an open position and a closed position. A heater assembly is positioned on the lid for supplying heat to a surface of the lid that covers the opening of the cooking vessel when the lid is in the closed position. The heater assembly includes a heater having a ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate has at least one electrically resistive trace thick film printed on the ceramic substrate and at least one electrically conductive trace thick film printed on the ceramic substrate. The heater is configured to generate heat when an electric current is supplied to the at least one electrically resistive trace.