Abstract: A slide valve apparatus includes a first member having a first fluid channel for allowing a fluid to flow therethrough, a second member sliding along the first member and having a second fluid channel formed in a manner to communicate with the first fluid channel, and a first elastic membrane formed in the sliding surface along which the second member and the first member slide relative to each other and having a first communicating hole communicating with the first fluid channel. In manufacturing the slide valve apparatus, a gas is spurted from the open edge of the first fluid channel in at least a stage between the start up of the step of forming the elastic membrane and the end of the step of baking the elastic membrane so as to form in the elastic membrane the communicating hole communicating with the first fluid channel.

Abstract: A slide valve apparatus includes a first member having a first fluid channel for allowing a fluid to flow therethrough, a second member sliding along the first member and having a second fluid channel formed in a manner to communicate with the first fluid channel, and a first elastic membrane formed in the sliding surface along which the second member and the first member slide relative to each other and having a first communicating hole communicating with the first fluid channel. In manufacturing the slide valve apparatus, a gas is spurted from the open edge of the first fluid channel in at least a stage between the start up of the step of forming the elastic membrane and the end of the step of baking the elastic membrane so as to form in the elastic membrane the communicating hole communicating with the first fluid channel.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (micro-) channel structure with an increased length of internal channel is provided, which can be formed without requiring a boring step for vertical hole formation. The channel structure is formed by providing a polyhedral substrate with a groove over at least two faces thereof, preferably through press molding, and covering the faces provided with the grooves with a covering member or another polyhedral substrate to form a continuous internal channel communicative with an ambience through an opening.

Abstract: A centrifugal separating-distributing apparatus includes a body being provided with an intake path, a stacking path, and a distributing path. A fluid sample is taken into the intake path, and the sample flows out from an outlet of the path when a first centrifugal force is exerted at a first rotation angle position. Under the first centrifugal force, the flown out sample flows in an inlet of the stacking path and is separated into plural components and the components are stacked in the stacking path. When a second centrifugal force is exerted at a second rotation angle position, a component closest to the inlet of the stacking path flows into an inlet of the distributing path between the outlet of the intake path and the inlet of the stacking path, and is moved away from the inlet to be separated from the remainder of the components in the stacking path.

Abstract: A slide valve apparatus includes a first member having a first fluid channel for allowing a fluid to flow therethrough, a second member sliding along the first member and having a second fluid channel formed in a manner to communicate with the first fluid channel, and a first elastic membrane formed in the sliding surface along which the second member and the first member slide relative to each other and having a first communicating hole communicating with the first fluid channel. In manufacturing the slide valve apparatus, a gas is spurted from the open edge of the first fluid channel in at least a stage between the start up of the step of forming the elastic membrane and the end of the step of baking the elastic membrane so as to form in the elastic membrane the communicating hole communicating with the first fluid channel.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (micro-) channel structure with an increased length of internal channel is provided, which can be formed without requiring a boring step for vertical hole formation. The channel structure is formed by providing a polyhedral substrate with a groove over at least two faces thereof, preferably through press molding, and covering the faces provided with the grooves with a covering member or another polyhedral substrate to form a continuous internal channel communicative with an ambience through an opening.

Abstract: A micro-chemical chip is comprised of a flow passage substrate (110) that includes a substrate (101) of transparent material having a plurality of flow passages (111) in one surface and an optical device (109) built in the other surface as a unit. In a micro-chemical chip manufacturing method according to the present invention, with metal dies 150 and 160 prepared to shape flow passages, wells, and an optical device(s), components such as the optical devices, flow passages, and the like are formed in a single molding process. The present invention is also directed to an optical unit manufacturing method where the atmospheric gas of nitrogen typically employed in the prior art is replaced with any gas of higher heat conductivity such as helium gas to heat and shape material in this alternative atmospheric gas and obtain the molded product.

Abstract: A minute circuit is configured by protruded flow passage walls provided on the surfaces, opposite to each other, of first and second flat members disposed facing each other.

Abstract: A sample solution measuring device for detecting dissolved substances in a sample solution by measuring a potential difference between the sample solution and a reference solution, the sample solution measuring device, including: a sample solution container; a reference solution container; a substrate thin film is located between the sample solution container and the reference solution container and having a hole in which a bilayer lipid membrane is formed, where the sample solution and the reference solution come into contact with each other; a mechanism which forms the bilayer lipid membrane by ejecting a lipid solution; and, a mechanism which ejects a cleaning fluid to the substrate thin film.

Abstract: A cursor can be operated continuously from a picture now being displayed to another picture not yet displayed. Further, an icon area arranged in another picture not yet displayed can be pointed out accurately without depending upon the operational characteristics of operators. When depressed by an operator, a pad-type input section (5) detects the two-dimensional position and the magnitude of the depression force at a pressure point. The detected data are applied to an encode section (14) through a signal amplifier (13). The encode section (14) detects the two-dimensional coordinates and the pressure value at the pressure point. On the other hand, a domain registering section (15) registers respective partitions on each of a plurality of pictures (8) as a domain group (11) of three-dimensional position domains.

Abstract: A stereoscopic television system employs a plurality of camera units each having an optical system and an image pickup element to photograph and display images of an object. The displayed images are processed with a stereoscopic image processor to provide stereoscopic images. The system comprises detectors for receiving image signals based on the images photogaphed by the camera units and correlatively comparing the image signals with each other to detect deviations of the images photographed by the camera units and provide image deviation signals; and correcting devices for correcting the deviations of the images according to the image deviation signals provided by the detectors.

Abstract: A stereoscopic television system has first and second openings through which light rays reflected from an object to be viewed enter. The system includes a first polarizer polarizing the light rays passing through the first opening and a second polarizer polarizing light rays passing through the second opening. The polarization planes of the first and second polarizers are different from each other. Optics are provided for aligning the center axes of the light rays passing through the first and second openings to generate aligned light rays. A polarizer switch receives the aligned light rays and selectively and alternately passes light rays polarized by one of the first and second polarizers. A zoom lens is provided for optically treating the aligned light rays for zoom operation. A video camera converts optical images of the light rays passing through the polarizer switch and the zoom lens into electrical signals corresponding to the light rays passing through the first and second openings.

Abstract: A secondary battery which comprises a positive-electrode material, an electrolyte solution, a negative-electrode material comprising zinc, and a negative-electrode substrate made of lead or a lead alloy. In a modification, the negative-electrode substrate is made of an electro-conductive material, with the surface thereof being coated with lead or a lead alloy. The battery is free from dendrite short-circuit and has an improved cycle life.

Abstract: A process for producing niobium metal of an ultrahigh purity, which comprises iodizing niobium metal or niobium chloride containing at least tantalum as an impurity, thermally reducing the iodized product, and then thermally decomposing the reduced product.

Abstract: A positioning device of magnetic suspension type is disclosed, which comprises a cylindrical stationary member and a cylindrical floating member arranged coaxially with the stationary member. The floating member is supported in non-contact state with respect to the stationary member by the magnetic forces produced by a plurality of magnetic circuits. The device further includes at least one control coil disposed such that it crosses the flux passing through the magnetic circuit. When the control coil is energized, it receives an electromagnetic force for displacing the floating member in co-operation with the flux from the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: An electromagnetic bearing wherein a group of magnetic poles is formed on each end of a columnar yoke. The magnetic pole groups each include four magnetic poles which protrude from the center of the yoke at right angles to one another and to the longitudinal direction of the yoke. A cylindrical supported body surrounds the yoke and the magnetic poles. A ring-shaped member formed of a ferromagnetic material is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the supported body so that both end portions of the ring-shaped member are in alignment with the centers of their corresponding magnetic poles of the magnetic pole groups. Magnetic fluxes delivered from each aligned pair of magnetic poles enter the ring-shaped member substantially at right angles to the peripheral surface thereof, and return to those original magnetic poles via another pair of magnetic poles adjacent thereto. Thus, the supported body is supported in its radial direction.

Abstract: Two groups of magnetic poles are formed on each end of a columnar yoke. Four magnetic poles of each magnetic pole groups protrude from the center of the yoke at right angles to the longitudinal direction thereof. A ring-shaped magnetic pole is formed on that portion of the yoke between the first and second magnetic pole groups. Ring-shaped permanent magnets are fitted on the yoke between the ring-shaped magnetic pole and the two magnetic pole groups. A cylindrical magnetic field adjusting member is fitted on the magnetic poles and the permanent magnets. Outside of these members, a magnetic coupling member or ring-shaped member of a supported body is disposed coaxially with the magnetic field adjusting member. The magnetic coupling member is formed of a highly permeable magnetic material, and the magnetic field adjusting member is made of a magnetic material whose permeability is a little lower than that of the magnetic coupling member.

Abstract: An evacuated casing has outer and inner tubes respectively covering the outer and inner peripheries of a hollow cylindrical rotor. Ring members of a ferromagnetic material are provided in the inner wall of the rotor and face permanent magnets, which are provided on the inner periphery of the inner tube and are magnetized in the radial directions of the rotor. The permanent magnets are fitted on a cylindrical yoke between first and second poles formed thereon, the fluxes being inserted in the rotor via the inner tube. The first poles are disposed to face the respective ring members, while the second pole is disposed to face the opposed end faces of the ring members. With this arrangement, contactless magnetic bearings are formed to support the rotor stably.