Abstract: A surface decoration structure includes an undercoat film, a silver mirror film layer, and a topcoat film formed on a surface of a substrate. The silver mirror film layer includes a film of stacked nanometer-sized silver particles having surfaces coated with a polymer dispersing agent, and the topcoat film includes, as a solvent, at least one member selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic hydrocarbon compound, an aliphatic hydrocarbon compound solution including 10% by mass or less of an aromatic compound, and diisobutyl ketone. The undercoat film and/or the topcoat film may include a corrosion inhibitor. The silver mirror film layer may further include a corrosion inhibitor. The surface decoration structure includes the silver mirror film layer with improved luster and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a pipe joint allowing reliable connection to a pipe P without flaring. [Means of solving problem] The pipe joint includes a flare joint body 1F, a cap nut 2, and a stop ring 3. A curved pressure-contacting slope surface 32 of the stop ring 3 contacts a slope surface 5 with reduced-diameter tip of the flare joint body 1F under pressure to establish sealing by means of mutual contact between metallic surfaces. The pipe P is grasped in a tightly pressure-contacting state using a back tooth and a front tooth formed at a tip head 37 of a substantially cylindrical thin part 35 of the stop ring 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to tuned multifunctional linker molecules for charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide multifunctional linker molecules for tuning the conductivity in nanoparticle-linker assemblies which can be used in the formation of electronic networks and circuits and thin films of nanoparticles. The problem is solved according to the invention by providing a multifunctional linker molecule of the general structure CON1-FUNC1-X-FUNC2-CON2 in which X is the central body of the molecule, FUNC1 and FUNC2 independently of each other are molecular groups introducing a dipole moment and/or capable of forming intermolecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks, and CON 1 and CON 2 independently of each other are molecular groups binding to nanostructured units comprising metal and semiconductor materials.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplifier for carrying out a nucleic acid amplification reaction is disclosed. The amplifier includes a plurality of wells configured to carry out the nucleic acid amplification reaction. The amplifier also include a heating unit provided for every well. The amplifier further includes a light source for irradiating excitation light of a specified wavelength to all of the wells. A fluorescence detection unit is provided for every well.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a biomolecule detection apparatus including a light emission unit, a measuring unit and an analysis unit. The light emission unit is configured to emit excitation light to living cells, the living cells having been in contact with an antitumor drug in advance. The measuring unit is configured to measure a Raman spectrum of the living cells. The analysis unit is configured to analyze whether or not the antitumor drug and a target biomolecule are bound with each other on the surface or inside of the living cells, based on the Raman spectrum.

Abstract: To provide a pipe joint with which the construction is made simple and compact, and basic sealing ability and resistance to pipe drawing force are shown, the pipe joint is composed only two parts of a pipe joint main body 2 and an outer cylinder body 5, the pipe joint main body 2 has an inserted cylinder portion 4 having independent ridges 11, and the outer cylinder body 5 has an inner screw thread 7. The outer cylinder body 5 screws and forms a spiral groove 20 on a peripheral face of a pipe P, and connects to the pipe joint main body 2 in a final fastened state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of altering the sensitivity and/or selectivity of a chemiresistor sensor, to a sensor and a sensor array produced by such method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor compound having the general formula AxB1-xCy, to a method of optimizing positions of a conduction band and a valence band of a semiconductor material using said semiconductor compound, and to a photoactive device comprising said semiconductor compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for processing an analyte and to a method of processing and/or detecting an analyte using said device.

Abstract: A microscope measurement system including: an optical microscope including a microscope body and an objective connected to the microscope body; a chamber including a support mechanism holding an object to be examined therein, the chamber including an opening inserting the objective into the chamber such that the objective is located essentially within the chamber and the microscope body is located essentially outside of the chamber; a sealing mechanism that provides an essentially gas-tight connection between the optical microscope and the chamber such that the chamber is sealed.

Abstract: A functional molecular element exhibiting its function under the operation of an electrical field is provided. A compound is used in which a pendant molecule, formed by 4-pentyl-4?-cyanobiphenyl, exhibiting positive dielectric constant anisotropy or a dipole moment along the direction of the long axis of the molecule, is covalently bonded to an electrically conductive linear or film-shaped principal-axis molecule having a conjugated system. The pendant molecule is changed in its orientation on application of an electrical field to change the conformation to switch the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive principal-axis molecule.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a membrane having a tampered pore, a polymeric membrane having a tapered pore, and uses of such polymeric membrane are disclosed. The membrane includes apertures of increasing diameter which are aligned with each other to form the tapered pore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of patterning molecules on a substrate using a micro-contact printing process, to a substrate produced by said method and to uses of said substrate. It also relates to a device for performing the method according to the present invention.

Abstract: A fluorescence image acquisition method including: irradiating an eyeground with a short-pulse beam of light for exciting a fluorescent dye; setting the time point of emission of the light as a reference, measuring the intensities of luminescence of the fluorescent dye at two different times which are predetermined periods of time after the reference, determining the ratio between the intensities of luminescence at the two different times, and detecting the intensity of luminescence of the fluorescent dye having marked a target by using the ratio; and generating a fluorescence image of the fluorescent dye having marked the target, based on the results of detection by the detecting step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to squarylium dyes including an anchoring group, to a method of synthesis of such dye, to an electronic device comprising such dye, and to uses of such dye.

Abstract: A dye including an anchoring group in its molecular structure, said anchoring group allowing a covalent coupling of said dye to a surface, for example a surface of a nanoporous semiconductor layer, said anchoring group being represented by formula 1 wherein attachment of said anchoring group within said molecular structure of said dye is at the terminal carbon marked with an asterisk in above formula, wherein G is selected from —COOH, —SO3H, —PO3H2, —BO2H2, —SH, —OH, —NH2, preferably —COOH, wherein A is selected from the group comprising H, —CN, —NO2, —COOR, —COSR, —COR, —CSR, —NCS, —CF3, —CONR2-OCF3, C6H5-mFm, wherein m=1-5, R being H or any straight or branched alkyl chain of general formula —CnH2n+I, n=O-12, preferably 0-4, or any substituted or non-substituted phenyl or biphenyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring a temperature and/or temperature distribution at a resolution <1 &mgr; m in an object and to a device for performing such method, more particularly to a microscope for performing such method. The method comprises applying a molecular thermometer embedded in a matrix layer on an object, photoexciting the said molecular thermometer with a light source of said microscope and measuring emission of radiation from said molecular thermometer with two photodetectors of said microscope. A first intensity at a first wavelength is measured by said first detector, a second intensity at a second wavelength is measured by said second.detector, and a ratio of said intensities is calculated and used to determine a temperature with a calibrated curve. Said microscope is a confocal microscope or a stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope.

Abstract: Memory device, comprising a storage material, a first electrode connected to the storage material; and a second electrode associated to the storage material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a porous semiconductor film and the film resulting from such production. It furthermore relates to an electronic device incorporating such film and to potential uses of such film.

Abstract: The invention relates to tuned multifunctional linker molecules for charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide multifunctional linker molecules for tuning the conductivity in nanoparticle-linker assemblies which can be used in the formation of electronic networks and circuits and thin films of nanoparticles. The problem is solved according to the invention by providing a multifunctional linker molecule of the general structure CON1-FUNC1-X-FUNC2-CON2 in which X is the central body of the molecule, FUNC1 and FUNC2 independently of each other are molecular groups introducing a dipole moment and/or capable of forming inter-molecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks, and CON1 and CON2 independently of each other are molecular groups binding to nanostructured units comprising metal and semiconductor materials.