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: A functional device which is composed of a nanometer-sized functional structure, which can reduce connection resistance in connecting the functional structure to an external electrode, and which includes a wiring section capable of minimizing constraints given to structural designs of various functional structures, and a method of manufacturing it are provided. A functional device in which a functional structure having contained sections in positions spaced from each other is retained by a carbon nanotube. A gap is formed in the carbon nanotube, and the carbon nanotube is segmented into a first carbon nanotube and a second carbon nanotube by the gap. One of the contained sections is contained in the first carbon nanotube at an opening of the first carbon nanotube facing the gap, and the other of the contained sections is contained in the second carbon nanotube at an opening of the second carbon nanotube facing the gap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a membrane having a tapered pore, to a polymeric membrane having a tapered pore and to uses of such polymeric membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for photon energy up-conversion, a system comprising said composition and to uses of said composition and said system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one type of liquid crystal, to a liquid crystal cell and liquid crystal display device comprising such composition and to a method of preparing such a composition and/or such a liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: The application relates to a chemical sensor device comprising a substrate (1), a sensor medium (3) formed on the substrate, the sensor medium comprising one-dimensional nanoparticles, wherein the one-dimensional nanoparticles essentially consist of a semiconducting AxBy compound, e.g. V2O5 and detection means (2) for detecting a change of a physical property of the sensor medium e.g. conductivity. The porosity of the sensor medium supports a fast access of the analyte to the sensing material and therefore a fast response of the sensor. The selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor can be tailored by doping the one-dimensional nanoscale material with different dopants or by varying the dopant concentration. Sensitivity of the sensor device to an analyte, preferably an amine, can be increased by increasing relative humidity of the sample to at least 5%.

Abstract: A functional molecular element is provided. The functional molecular element is adapted to change, by application of electric field, conformation of a disc shape like organic metallic complex molecule (1) which forms a columnar arrangement structure to exhibit function, wherein the structure of the organic metallic complex molecule is changed by application of electric field so that anisotropy of dielectric constant is changed. Accordingly, conductivity between measurement electrodes can be switched. As its stable value, there are three kinds of stable values or more. Thus, elements or devices to which such multi-value memory characteristic is applied can be constituted.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of applying a pattern of metal, metal oxide and/or semiconductor material on a substrate, to a pattern created by such method and to uses of such pattern. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an assembly of layers that can be used for printing.

Abstract: A method of applying material on a substrate. The material to be applied can be a pattern of material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of solubilizing carbon nanotubes, to carbon nanotubes produced thereby and to uses of said carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A functional molecular device displaying its functions under the action of an electrical field is provided. A Louis base molecule, exhibiting positive dielectric constant anisotropy or exhibiting dipole moment along the long-axis direction of the Louis base molecule, is arrayed in the form of a pendant on an electrically conductive linear or film-shaped principal-axis molecule of a conjugated system, via a metal ion capable of acting as a Louis acid. The resulting structure is changed in conformation on application of an electrical field to exhibit its function. The electrically conductive linear or film-shaped principal-axis molecule and the Louis base molecule form a complex with the metal ion. On application of the electrical field, the Louis base molecule performs a swinging movement or a seesaw movement to switch the electrical conductivity of the principal-axis molecule.

Abstract: A bead set is composed of plural subsets of beads. The beads in each subset are each provided with a surface permitting immobilization thereon of a substance that takes part in a predetermined corresponding reaction or interaction. The individual beads in the beat set are provided with different physical elements, respectively, such that the individual beads in the bead can be distinguished into the plural subsets through an analysis of captured images of the individual beads in the bead set by a computer.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite containing a matrix component and at least one liquid crystal component includes providing a matrix, providing a first material that is phase separable from the matrix, adding the first material to the matrix, and replacing the first material that is phase separable form the matrix with a second material exhibiting liquid crystalline behavior.

Abstract: The application relates to a chemical sensor device comprising a substrate (1), a sensor medium (3) formed on the substrate, the sensor medium comprising one-dimensional nanoparticles, wherein the one-dimensional nanoparticles essentially consist of a semiconducting AxBy compound, e.g. V2O5 and detection means (2) for detecting a change of a physical property of the sensor medium e.g. conductivity. The porosity of the sensor medium supports a fast access of the analyte to the sensing material and therefore a fast response of the sensor. The selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor can be tailored by doping the one-dimensional nanoscale material with different dopants or by varying the dopant concentration. Sensitivity of the sensor device to an analyte, preferably an amine, can be increased by increasing relative humidity of the sample to at least 5%.

Abstract: A method of solubilizing carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes, and urea are mixed together and then heated.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite containing a matrix component and at least one liquid crystal component includes providing a matrix, providing a first material that is phase separable from the matrix, adding the first material to the matrix, and replacing the first material that is phase separable form the matrix with a second material exhibiting liquid crystalline behavior.

Abstract: An element for modu1ating an area is provided. The element for modulating area, in which there is used a functional molecular element adapted to change, by application of electric field, conformation of disc-shape like organic metallic complex molecule to exhibit function so that the structure of the organic metallic complex molecule is changed by application of electric field and the occupation area thereof is thus changed. The area modulating element is adapted to variously change molecular structure in accordance with control of applied electric field to change occupation area of molecule to thereby constitute a functional device such as optical filter and/or optical screen, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of determining the temperature in a system, said system comprising a molecular heater fraction and a molecular thermometer fraction, and to an integrated system for temperature determination and temporally and spatially resolved thermal profile detection, and to uses of such system.

Abstract: The application relates to a chemical sensor device comprising a substrate (1), a sensor medium (3) formed on the substrate, the sensor medium comprising one-dimensional nanoparticles, wherein the one-dimensional nanoparticles essentially consist of a semiconducting AxBy compound, e.g. V2O5 and detection means (2) for detecting a change of a physical property of the sensor medium e.g. conductivity. The porosity of the sensor medium supports a fast access of the analyte to the sensing material and therefore a fast response of the sensor. The selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor can be tailored by doping the one-dimensional nanoscale material with different dopants or by varying the dopant concentration. Sensitivity of the sensor device to an analyte, preferably an amine, can be increased by increasing relative humidity of the sample to at least 5%.

Abstract: An electronic device mounting structure includes a printed circuit board, a busbar, and an electronic device mounted on the busbar. The busbar includes a parallel portion extending parallel to the printed circuit board and a bent portion extending from the parallel portion toward the printed circuit board. The bent portion of the busbar includes a first bent portion, a second bent portion, and a tip portion A thickness direction of the first bent portion is substantially parallel to a length direction of the parallel portion A thickness direction of the second bent portion is substantially parallel to a width direction of the parallel portion. The tip portion stands substantially at a right angle with respect to the second bent portion and is soldered to the printed circuit board.