Abstract: A dual resistance heater for a phase change material region is formed by depositing a resistive material. The heater material is then exposed to an implantation or plasma which increases the resistance of the surface of the heater material relative to the remainder of the heater material. As a result, the portion of the heater material approximate to the phase change material region is a highly effective heater because of its high resistance, but the bulk of the heater material is not as resistive and, thus, does not increase the voltage drop and the current usage of the device.

Abstract: A method is provided for interconnecting a single electrical heating element of a hot water heater to first and second AC electrical power sources. Typically, these first and second AC electrical power sources include a utility provided electrical power source and a renewable power source that generates AC power from DC power. The method includes operating a controller that selectively connects and disconnects the first and second power sources. If sufficient electrical power is available from the renewable power source, the utility provided electrical power source may be disconnected to preferentially utilize renewable energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat-shaped article with an electrical function for placement in a functional tone. Provision is made that, even after having been placed, the flat-shaped article can again be removed without being destroyed from the functional zone.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of polymer sheet anti-blocking and adhesion control compositions and methods, and more specifically, the present invention is in the field of polymer sheets, for example polyvinyl butyral sheets, having improved anti-blocking and adhesion properties obtained through fluorination.

Abstract: A method of producing a glow plug including a glow tube (5) with internal heating coil (4) and optionally regulating coils which are embedded therein using a ceramic filling, whereby a compaction of an area on a combustion chamber side of the glow tube (5) is performed using a recessing-reducing process with a radial feed.

Abstract: A low noise solid-state thermostat is provided designed to operate on AC power over a wide range of frequencies (e.g., from 0 Hertz (Hz) to 1000 Hz). The thermostat incorporates a soft start turn ON/OFF feature which reduces electromagnetic emissions (e.g., EMI). In addition, the thermostat is designed to provide common mode noise cancellation. Moreover, the thermostat uses state of the art complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) technology which improves reliability over conventional mechanical relays and thermostats. Custom temperature set points and custom temperature hysteresis can be selected at the time of production and/or subsequent to production.