Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a smoking device that includes at least first and second electrodes. A capsule includes a smoking material containing one or more active agents, and metallic foil surrounding the smoking material, the metallic foil being configured to be heated via resistive heating by the electrodes driving a current into the metallic foil. A paper covering covers the metallic foil, and is adhered to itself along a band of overlap, such as to form a cylindrical shape. An electrically insulating material is disposed along the band of overlap, to isolate an inner layer of the metallic foil from the electrodes. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a smoking device that includes at least first and second electrodes. A capsule includes a smoking material containing one or more active agents and metallic foil surrounding the smoking material, the metallic foil being configured to be heated via resistive heating by the electrodes driving a current into the metallic foil. A paper covering covers the metallic foil, and is adhered to itself along a band of overlap, such as to form a cylindrical shape. The metallic foil is treated along the band of overlap, in order to increase resistance of the metallic foil along the band of overlap. Other applications are also described.

Method and apparatus for temperature controlled processes in a vessel to provide improved process control, in particular to enable controlled temperatures to be applied to a substance in different process zones of a vessel, has a series of tubular members arranged and operatively connected in a flow system, and each process zone has temperature regulating means juxtaposed thereto for effecting temperature control therein.

An apparatus for exchanging heat with a fluid includes a heat exchanger having first and second opposing surfaces and a plurality of flow passages permitting axial fluid flow between the surfaces. A manifold having an interface surface is in thermal contact with the first surface and includes a thermally conductive body for conducting heat in an axial direction between the interface surface and a heat transmitting surface. A plurality of feed passages extend through the thermally conductive body in a transverse direction, the passages having an inlet for receiving or discharging fluid. A plurality of distribution passages have ends in fluid communication with at least one of the feed passages and openings distributed over the interface surface. The distribution passages are configured to cause a change in fluid flow direction between a transversely directed flow in the feed passages and an axially directed flow at the openings.

A heatsink with an internal cavity for liquid cooling includes: a first part having a first group of fins extending into the internal cavity; a second part attached to the first part so that the internal cavity is formed, the second part having a second group of fins that extend into the internal cavity and that are configured to fit among the first group of fins; an inlet into the internal cavity on at least one of the first and second parts; and an outlet from the internal cavity on at least one of the first and second parts.

The present invention provides systems, methods, and articles for temperature conditioning a surface. An article is formed from a first layer having a plurality of openings and a second layer having a corresponding plurality of openings. At least one interior chamber constructed and configured to retain a fluid without leaking is defined between an interior surface of the first layer and an interior surface of the second layer. At least one flexible fluid supply line delivers the fluid to the at least one interior chamber. At least one flexible fluid return line removes the fluid from the at least one interior chamber. At least one control unit that is operable to selectively cool or heat the fluid is attached to the at least one flexible fluid supply line and the at least one flexible fluid return line.

A cooled cabinet assembly for the storage of vials, beakers or the like is disclosed. The assembly comprises an insulating tray, a cooling element, and a fan. The insulating tray comprises a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom wall. The insulating tray has an open upper end and defining an insulated cavity. The cooling element is positioned in air flow communication with the insulated cavity. The fan is configured to circulate air over the cooling element and into the insulated cavity and the drip pan is positioned to capture condensate from the cooling element. In one embodiment, an inside surface of the bottom wall inclines downwardly toward a drip pan to provide for gravity flow of condensate from the cavity to the drip pan. An insulating lid is provided to close of the cabinet when not in use. Insulating bands or rings are provided for positioning on the vials upper ends to reduce heat and moisture infiltration into the cabinet.

A heating device includes a base body that has a placement surface for placing a wafer thereon and a back surface that is on an opposite side of the placement surface; a heating resistor that is embedded in the base body; a cylindrical supporting body that has one end surface and the other end surface, the one end surface being connected to the back surface of the base body, the other end surface being on an opposite side of the one end surface; and a supporting-body channel that includes a portion extending in a direction from the other end surface to the one end surface of the cylindrical supporting body, and that is formed within a peripheral wall of the cylindrical supporting body. The supporting-body channel includes an opening portion that opens inwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical supporting body.

The embodiments herein provide a low cost and effective system and method for simultaneous cooling and heating of a sample matrix during solid and liquid phase extraction methods. A cooling device is attached to atop of a sample vial and a heater is placed below the sample to simultaneous cooling and heating of the sample. The cooling device comprises two concentric metallic cylinders capped with welding. Two stainless steel capillary tubes are inserted respectively into two ends of the capped space for passing in and exiting out liquid carbon dioxide from the cooling device to cool the extracted analytes. The dimensions of the cylinders in the cooling device are suitably adjusted so that the cooling device is suited for use in liquid phase as well as solid phase micro-extraction processes.

Provided are active Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC) systems/apparatuses for the purpose of cooling a person's head with or without the person wearing a safety helmet or hard hat.