Methods and systems for controlling gas atmospheres in three-dimensional laser printing and weld overlay consolidation operations using metallic powders are provided. The blade member has one widthwise end portion serving as a free end portion and the other widthwise end portion serving as a bonding end portion. The battery monitor then applies a momentary load across the battery cell and immediately prior to releasing the load, measures the voltage across the battery cell and the voltage across the intercell. The invention further relates to methods of measuring the cleavage products of rVWF in mammals, particularly in humans and in human plasma.