Abstract: A hybrid fiber-composite centrifuge container having a cylindrical metal sleeve, with a smooth inner surface permanently coupled to the fiber reinforced base. The reinforced base has an open end, a closed end and a cylindrical wall extending between the closed and open ends, with the metal sleeve coupled to the cylindrical wall proximate to the open end forming a sleeve-base interface. The base is formed from a plurality of layers of fiber material wound helically and circumferentially about the axis of the base. Among the plurality of layers of fiber material is a lane-change feature which provides a uniform outer diameter to the cylindrical wall that is coextensive with the interface. The uniform outer diameter helps prevent uncoiling of the plurality of layers of fiber material during centrifugation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a low loss circuit breaker including a housing, two exterior contacts, a pivotable arm, a means for biasing, a bifurcated member and a shape memory alloy element. The pivotable arm has a latching portion and a contact portion with the contact portion in electrical contact with one of the exterior contacts. The means for biasing exerts a biasing force with respect to the pivotable arm. The bifurcated member has a contact arm in touching relationship with the contact portion of the pivotable arm and is in electrical contact with the one of the exterior contacts through the contact portion of the pivotable arm. The bifurcated member further has a flexure arm cooperating with the latching portion of the pivotable arm wherein the flexure arm releasably restrains the pivotable arm against the biasing force exerted by the biasing means.