Abstract: A system for testing thermal runaway in a battery cell includes a first layer of first dielectric material at least in part wrapped around the battery cell, and a wire at least in part wrapped around the first layer of first dielectric material. The system further includes a second layer of second dielectric material at least in part wrapped around the wire, and a power source configured to supply power to the wire. In an example, the first layer of first dielectric material includes a polyimide film, and the second layer of second dielectric material includes mica. The system further includes a temperature sensor in contact with the first layer, the second layer, and/or the battery cell. A controller is to receive a temperature reading from the temperature sensor, and control a power supplied by the power source to the wire, based at least in part on the temperature reading.

Abstract: The disclosed thermal storage composition includes water, an electrolyte or a non-electrolyte, and a nucleating surfactant. The nucleating surfactant reduces the surface tension of the thermal storage composition and simultaneously promotes nucleation sites within the thermal storage composition. The thermal storage composition is directed along at least one heat exchanger surface cooled by a refrigerant. The thermal storage composition forms ice crystals that selectively accumulate on the heat exchanger surface. Forces resulting from gravity and the interactions with the liquid of the thermal storage composition overcome the adhesion forces between at least a portion of the ice crystals and the heat exchanger surface, causing at least a portion of the ice crystals to separate from the heat exchanger surface.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and a method for making slush ice. A liquid is directed to flow over a hot exchanger to cool the liquid and form slush. By selecting the constituents of the liquid such that the adhesion and cohesion forces are controlled to permit harvesting the slush while substantially all of the energy required by conventional harvesting cycles is saved.