Abstract:
A photocatalytic colored member includes a laminate formed by laminating a plurality of thin-film layers of photocatalytic material and a plurality of thin-film layers of support material, with vacant layers formed such that they are open to the outside on the rear surface side of the thin-film layers of photocatalytic material.
Abstract:
An optical apparatus has an adjustment apparatus 5 and an optical unit 1 including a plurality of optical elements. The adjustment apparatus sequentially provides control signals that, according to a probabilistic search technique, change the parameters of a stipulated plurality of optical elements among the optical elements to become parameters that cause the functions of the optical apparatus to satisfy stipulated specifications. A method of adjusting the optical apparatus includes sequentially providing control signals that, according to a probabilistic search technique, change the parameters of the stipulated plurality of optical elements among the optical elements, and searching for optical values at which the functions of the optical apparatus the stipulated specification.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for analyzing information relating to the physiological and psychological conditions of a driver. Psychological conditions such as comfortableness or degree of alertness are estimated on the basis of physical data such as fluctuation in brain waves. This apparatus comprises a first neural network having a pre-processed 1/f fluctuation signal for brain waves as an input and for estimating a degree of alertness of the driver, and a second neural network receiving the estimated degree of alertness and the pre-processed 1/f fluctuation signal, for estimating and outputting driving comfortableness. By employing a neural network, which has a mapping ability as well as flexible adaptability even for non-linear data, based on the learning function, more accurate estimation of mental conditions can be achieved in comparison with conventional statistical analysis.
Abstract:
A process for the preparation of an unsaturated phosphonic acid ester of the formula:R.sup.1 CH.dbd.C(R.sup.2)P(.dbd.O)(OR.sup.3).sub.2wherein an acetylene compound of the formula:R.sup.1 C.tbd.CR.sup.2is reacted with a secondary phosphite of the formula:HP(.dbd.O)(OR.sup.3).sub.2in the presence of a palladium complex catalyst. The process is characterized in that the reaction is performed in the presence of water or in that the palladium complex catalyst contains, as a ligand, a 1,3-bisphosphinopropane of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 stand, independently from each other, for an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aralkyl group or an aryl group.
Abstract:
An ultra-minute microscope for spectroscopy includes a rod-shaped lens having an index of refraction distribution gradient and capable of having a sample mounted on one end surface thereof, an element for projecting a laser beam into the rod-shaped lens from another end surface thereof and converging it to a focal point at an interface region between the one end surface of the rod-shaped lens and the sample, and a scanner for varying the incidence angle of the laser beam to scan the focal point two-dimensionally on the one end surface.
Abstract:
An optical phantom of a living body includes a multiplicity of phantom layers shaped to the contours of a target part of a living body. A space portion is provided at a prescribed location inside the phantom. Inlet and outlet conduits enable liquid phantom to be supplied to the space portion and removed therefrom. This arrangement enables the space portion to be used to simulate dynamic change of physiological states, and for such changes to be measured optically.
Abstract:
A Group III atomic layer required for fabrication of a semiconductor quantum nanostructure is grown to be properly restricted to a monolayer.A substrate is configured to have a fast-growth surface portion where growth of a Ga atomic layer proceeds at a relatively high rate and a slow-growth surface portion where the growth of the Ga atomic layer proceeds at a relatively low rate. Ga atoms are supplied to the fast-growth surface portion in an amount not less than that which grows one layer of the Group III atoms. Excess Ga atoms on the fast-growth surface portion are allowed to migrate to the slow-growth surface portion by surface migration, thereby growing only one layer of the Ga atoms on the fast-growth surface portion.
Abstract:
A method for the production of a superconducting oxide tape having a Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.10 (Bi-2223) structure interposed between silver sheets, which method consists essentially of preparing a sandwich structure having interposed between silver sheets a molded layer of a superconducting oxide precursor powder consisting essentially of Bi, Pb, Sr, Ca, Cu, and O obtained from a raw material substance composed of, in atomic composition ratio, 1.00 of Bi, 0-0.2 of Pb, 0.9-1.1 of Sr, 0.9-1.1 of Ca and 1.3-1.7 of Cu, and O, heating the sandwich structure in an atmosphere consisting of oxygen and an inert gas, having an oxygen partial pressure in the range of 0-5%, and kept at a temperature in the range of 830-850.degree. C., thereby melting the molded layer, then causing the atmosphere to retain the heating temperature and meanwhile increasing the oxygen partial pressure, thereby inducing precipitation of crystal grains possessing a Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.8 (Bi-2212) structure and excelling in orientation, and subsequently maintaining the oxygen partial pressure and temperature at the time of precipitation of the crystal grains, thereby transforming the structure into the (Bi-2223) structure while retaining the particle diameter of the crystal grains and the state of orientation, and superconducting oxide tape produced by the method.
Abstract:
The primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrode for an alkali secondary battery, the electrode being capable of exhibiting high binding power and showing a high electrical conductivity without use of a binder. An electrode for an alkali secondary battery, the electrode comprising a molded product molded from a mixture containing an active material-containing powder and a flaky nickel powder which has lowered strain.
Abstract:
PrBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.Y exhibiting superconductivity is provided by a method including the steps of preparing a solvent consisting of a mixture of praseodymium oxide, at least one of barium oxide and barium carbonate, and copper oxide at a mixing ratio of between 1:3:5 and 1:8:20, disposing the solvent between a feed rod of PrBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 formed to a high density and a seed crystal, heating the solvent to a temperature of 880.degree.-980.degree. C. in an atmosphere of an inert gas of at least one of argon and nitrogen mixed with 0.01-2% oxygen to form a floating solvent zone, moving the floating solvent zone toward the feed rod at 0.1-1.0 mm/hr under a temperature gradient at the solid-liquid interface of 25.degree.-35.degree. C./mm to precipitate single crystal on the seed crystal, and heat-treating the single crystal obtained in an atmosphere containing not less than 15% oxygen. Another aspect of the invention provides a superconducting device including the superconducting PrBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.Y single crystal material in combination with at least one non-superconducting PrBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.Y crystal material.