Improved apparatus for burning fuel with low NOx formation are provided. An article comprising such a composite element is suitable for use in high temperature applications, including motor vehicle components. Each active device cell includes transistors coupled in a cascode configuration that thermally distributes a junction temperature among the transistors. If the data transmission is successful, the backup signal is eliminated from a memory. The linear actuators are retracted to draw join the bottom and side wall assemblies to retain liquid, or activated in unison to drive the tank walls upwardly from the fixed bottom wall assembly, creating a bottom opening in the tank that quickly discharges all the liquid from the tank.