A heat generating method includes: heating, with a heater, a heat generating element and causing a first heat generating reaction in which the heat generating element generates heat with a first heat generation amount and triggering a second heat generating reaction in which the heat generating element generates heat with a second heat generation amount larger than the first heat generation amount, by imparting a perturbation to an input power to be applied to the heater in a state where the first heat generating reaction is occurring. The heat generating element includes a base made of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a proton conductor, and a multilayer film provided on a surface of the base, with a stacked configuration of a first layer and a second layer made of different materials and both having a thickness of less than 1,000 nm.

A heat generating method includes: heating, with a heater, a heat generating element and causing a first heat generating reaction in which the heat generating element generates heat with a first heat generation amount and triggering a second heat generating reaction in which the heat generating element generates heat with a second heat generation amount larger than the first heat generation amount, by imparting a perturbation to an input power to be applied to the heater in a state where the first heat generating reaction is occurring. The heat generating element includes a base made of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a proton conductor, and a multilayer film provided on a surface of the base, with a stacked configuration of a first layer and a second layer made of different materials and both having a thickness of less than 1,000 nm.

An insect trap includes an exothermic body, and a layered body. The exothermic body is configured to include exothermic powder enclosed in an inner bag that is air permeable; the exothermic powder contains iron powder that releases heat when oxidized. The layered body is configured with layers of plate-like elements and includes gaps as a pathway of entry for an insect pest. A housing space to house the exothermic body is arranged inside the layered body. The layered body and the inner bag are made of a biodegradable raw material.

Cleaning articles including a heat engine incorporated therein. The cleaning article may include a substrate (e.g., a non-woven wipe) including one or more layers. The heat engine may be in the wipe or pad, and includes a reactive metal composition which upon contact with a salt water (e.g., saline) composition, reacts to produce heat. The cleaning article may thus produce water vapor and/or steam upon activation of the heat engine. A venting structure may be provided adjacent to or surrounding the heat engine that includes an impermeable material (e.g., impermeable to water and/or air or other gas), which includes one or more vents through the impermeable material. The venting structure directs water vapor and/or steam to a desired face of the cleaning article, away from the user. A heat barrier layer may insulate a user's hand from the generated heat, and/or a handle may be attachable to the pad.

A heating unit comprising: —a housing —amino-carrying fibres contained within the housing; —a conduit for water; —means for delivering carbon dioxide into the housing; and —means for supplying heat to the amino-carrying fibres.

A phase change material is used for the production of a sterile state indication means for a sterilization container. A sterile state indication means for a sterilization container includes a fluid-tight case containing a phase change material. In this assembly, the case wall of the case includes at least one transparent zone and an activator which can be actuated in order to release an activation energy and/or crystallization seeds. The activator is in contact with the phase change material. Further, a sterilization container includes a container trough and a container lid, including a sterile state indication means. The sterile state indication means is provided either on the container trough or on the container lid, and the activator, in the closed state of the sterilization container, is in direct or indirect connection with the respectively other element among container trough and container lid.

Provided are a novel heat utilization system and heat generating device that utilize an inexpensive, clean, and safe heat energy source. A heat utilization system 10 includes a heat-generating element 14 configured to generate heat by occluding and discharging hydrogen, a sealed container 15 having a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22 partitioned by the heat-generating element 14, and a temperature adjustment unit 16 configured to adjust a temperature of the heat-generating element 14. The first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 have different hydrogen pressures. The heat-generating element 14 includes a support element 61 made of at least one of a porous body, a hydrogen permeable film, and a proton conductor, and a multilayer film 62 supported by the support element 61. The multilayer film 62 has a first layer 71 made of a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm and a second layer 72 made of a hydrogen a hydrogen storage metal different from that of the first layer, a hydrogen storage alloy different from that of the first layer, or ceramics and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm.

Provided are a novel heat utilization system and heat generating device that utilize an inexpensive, clean, and safe heat energy source. A heat utilization system 10 includes a heat-generating element 14 configured to generate heat by occluding and discharging hydrogen, a sealed container 15 having a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22 partitioned by the heat-generating element 14, and a temperature adjustment unit 16 configured to adjust a temperature of the heat-generating element 14. The first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 have different hydrogen pressures. The heat-generating element 14 includes a support element 61 made of at least one of a porous body, a hydrogen permeable film, and a proton conductor, and a multilayer film 62 supported by the support element 61. The multilayer film 62 has a first layer 71 made of a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm and a second layer 72 made of a hydrogen a hydrogen storage metal different from that of the first layer, a hydrogen storage alloy different from that of the first layer, or ceramics and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm.

The present disclosure relates to a method of generating energy. The teachings thereof may be embodied in a method comprising: atomizing an electropositive metal; combusting the metal with a reaction gas; mixing the resulting combustion products with water, or an aqueous solution, or a suspension of a salt of the metal; separating a resulting mixture into (a) solid and liquid constituents and (b) gaseous constituents; at least partly converting energy from the separated constituents. Mixing the combustion products may include: atomizing liquid or gaseous water; or atomizing or nebulizing an aqueous solution or a suspension of a salt of the electropositive metal, into the reacted mixture.

An assembly for removing a desired portion of one or more layers of paint or another coating from a designated area is provided including a pad soaked with a chemical paint remover and an adhesive layer arranged about the pad configured to couple the assembly to the designated area. A removable first protective layer is positioned upwardly adjacent and is coupled to the adhesive layer. A flexible support layer is positioned adjacent the adhesive layer and the pad, opposite the removable first protective layer. A heat pad is arranged downwardly adjacent the flexible support layer. The heat pad is configured to control a microclimate adjacent the assembly when activated. A removable second protective layer is coupled to a surface of the heat pad. Removal of the second protective layer activates the heat pad.