An apparatus for receiving smokable material to enable at least one component of the smokable material to be volatilized is described. In an example, the apparatus comprises a housing having a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment is a heating compartment for receiving smokable material in use. The second compartment is an electronics compartment and containing at least one of control circuitry and a power source. The first compartment and the second compartment are substantially hermetically sealed from each other to minimize or prevent air or vapor flowing between the compartments.

A heating unit for use in heating a fluid conduit is disclosed. The heating unit includes first and second pliable cover layers. A pliable electrical heating element is disposed between the first and second cover layers. The pliable electrical heating element includes a heat generating element for converting electrical energy to heat energy and a heat spreading element that is attached to the heat generating element. The heat spreading element comprises carbon that is thermally coupled to the heat generating element for distributing the heat energy. A thermal insulation layer is attached to a second side of the pliable electrical heating element and is positioned adjacent the first cover layer. Additionally, a receiving power connector is electrically connected to the heat generating element and is configured to couple to an electrical power source. The heating unit is sized to substantially cover the fluid conduit.

A method includes a client device receiving a verification request comprising an interaction identifier. The client device can then query a full node for a random sampling of block headers from the full node. The client device can receive the random sampling of block headers from the full node, and verify the random sampling of block headers. The client device can then determine that the blockchain maintained by the full node is valid after verifying the random sampling of block headers.

Heating systems including heating elements and fastener materials covered and protected from the environment by a heating cap structure. The heating cap structure can interlock mating ribs or other structure in adjacent heating panels. Additional heating cap, transition, or flashing sections may further cover and protect heating system components. One or more heating elements may include heating cable or heating fluids or materials penetrating heating element bodies. The heating element bodies and heating cap panels and covers can include extruded or otherwise formed sections having a wide variety of shapes that can be varied to provide desired objectives, such as for example supporting strength, increased heat transfer, component cost minimization, component life, heating system weight, and ease of assembly, use, maintenance, expansion, contraction, and adaptability. The outer and other surfaces of the heating system may be painted, including to improve aesthetics. Sealing films and materials may be included.

A self-regulating heating cable and production methods are provided. The self-regulating heating cable includes a core, first and second conductive wires, a primary jacket, a ground plane, and a final jacket. A dielectric band is embedded within the core, and the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire are embedded within the core and separated by the dielectric band. The dielectric band includes substantially flat upper and lower edges between the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire, and protrusions extending outward from the substantially flat upper and lower edges. The primary jacket surrounds the core, the ground plane surrounds the primary jacket and provides a ground path, and the final jacket surrounds the ground plane.

A cable cap for a heating cable, and a heating cable assembly including a heating cable and a cable cap, in which the cable cap includes a power indicator that illuminates when sufficient power is supplied to the distal end of the heating cable. The indicator gives an installer or a user an indication that the heating cable is functioning properly the entire length of the heating cable. The cable cap may further include a connection feature, such as an aperture, that provides a connection point for a cable pulling device such as a fish tape.