Abstract: A surface-emitting semiconductor laser including: an active layer including a nitride semiconductor; a first semiconductor layer of a first electrical conduction type and a second semiconductor layer of a second electrical conduction type that are opposed to each other with the active layer therebetween; and a current confinement layer that is opposed to the active layer with the second semiconductor layer therebetween and has an opening, in which a side surface of the current confinement layer is inclined at at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the opening.

Abstract: The invention provides a modified liquid diene polymer that allows a rubber composition to give a crosslinked product which contains a filler in a dispersed state ideal for attaining enhanced properties and which also exhibits excellent properties such as wet grip and abrasion resistance. The invention also provides a rubber composition including the modified liquid diene polymer, a crosslinked product thereof, and a tire which includes a portion including the composition or the crosslinked product. The modified liquid diene polymer is a product of modification, with a specific silane compound, of a liquid diene block copolymer including a polymer block (b?1) or (b?1) containing butadiene units and a polymer block (b?2) or (b?2). The modified liquid diene polymer has a functional group derived from the silane compound, and satisfies specific conditions.

Abstract: Provided is a cancer development risk assessment device (1) capable of determining the possibility of cancer development in a subject to be assessed in short time. The cancer development risk assessment device (1) includes a measurement unit (3) and a controller (4). The measurement unit (3) is configured to measure concentrations of a plurality of types of target components included in exhaled air collected from a subject to be assessed. The controller (4) is configured to calculate an assessment score correlated to the possibility of cancer being developed in the subject to be assessed based on measurement results of the concentrations obtained by the measurement unit (3).

Abstract: Provided is a catalytic combustion typed gas sensor of detecting a combustible gas having a concentration equal to or more than a predetermined value based on a raised electric resistance. Herein, combustion heat generated when a combustible gas contacts to a catalytic metal (or detection element) heated by passing electric current therethrough raises a temperature and electric resistance of the catalytic metal. The electric current is made to pass through the catalytic metal such that the temperature of the catalytic metal becomes a standby temperature which is calculated by subtracting the raised temperature portion from a desorption temperature. The combustion heat is generated when the combustible gas contacts to the catalytic metal. Note the catalytic metal adsorbs a silicone compound via a silicon (Si) poisoning process and then desorbs the resulting adsorbed silicone compound at the desorption temperature. The desorption temperature is set in the range over 350° C. to 600° C.

Abstract: Provided is a catalytic combustion typed gas sensor of detecting a combustible gas having a concentration equal to or more than a predetermined value based on a raised electric resistance. Herein, combustion heat generated when a combustible gas contacts to a catalytic metal (or detection element) heated by passing electric current therethrough raises a temperature and electric resistance of the catalytic metal. The electric current is made to pass through the catalytic metal such that the temperature of the catalytic metal becomes a standby temperature which is calculated by subtracting the raised temperature portion from a desorption temperature. The combustion heat is generated when the combustible gas contacts to the catalytic metal. Note the catalytic metal adsorbs a silicone compound via a silicon (Si) poisoning process and then desorbs the resulting adsorbed silicone compound at the desorption temperature. The desorption temperature is set in the range over 350° C. to 600° C.

Abstract: The hydrogen gas sensor is a catalytic combustion hydrogen gas sensor with a detection element 1, and is characterized by comprising a measuring circuit configured to selectively provide a normal voltage mode for applying a normal voltage to the detection element 1 and a high voltage mode for applying a high voltage higher than said normal voltage to said detection element 1. Thereby, upon energization of the hydrogen gas sensor, the detection element 1 can be first applied the high voltage to be rapidly heated to raise a temperature of the detection element 1 immediately. And then, the detection element 1 can be applied the normal voltage to be heated to be kept at a predetermined temperature at which the hydrogen gas is detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a volatile dissolved substance includes a sample vessel 1 capable of holding therein an approximately fixed amount of liquid A, B with leaving a space at an upper inner section thereof; a nozzle 4 capable of blowing off bubbles into the liquid held in the sample vessel, and a pressurized gas feeding device L capable of feeding pressurized gas to the nozzle for the blowing of the bubbles. Within a communication passage 5 communicating with the upper section of the sample vessel, there is exposed a detecting portion of a sensor S capable of detecting a volatile component, so that the sensor can detect the volatile component which has evaporated from the liquid in the sample vessel and entered the communication passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a volatile dissolved substance includes a sample vessel 1 capable of holding therein an approximately fixed amount of liquid A, B with leaving a space at an upper inner section thereof a nozzle 4 capable of blowing off bubbles into the liquid held in the sample vessel, and a pressurized gas feeding device L capable of feeding pressurized gas to the nozzle for the blowing of the bubbles. Within a communication passage 5 communicating with the upper section of the sample vessel, there is exposed a detecting portion of a sensor S capable of detecting a volatile component, so that the sensor can detect the volatile component which has evaporated from the liquid in the sample vessel and entered the communication passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas detection method and detection apparatus that provide better sensitivity and faster recovery after response than conventional gas detection methods and apparatus, by improving on these conventional methods and apparatus. The present invention is a gas detection method, in which the target gas is detected while oxygen is supplied to a sensor element 11a of a metal oxide-type gas sensor 11, wherein the target gas is detected while water vapor is supplied to the sensor element 11a, and is also a gas detection apparatus equipped with an oxygen supply means 14 for supplying oxygen to a sensor element 11a of a metal oxide-type gas sensor 11, said gas detection apparatus being provided with a water vapor supply means 15 for supplying water vapor to the sensor element 11a.

Abstract: The hydrogen gas sensor is a catalytic combustion hydrogen gas sensor with a detection element 1, and is characterized by comprising a measuring circuit configured to selectively provide a normal voltage mode for applying a normal voltage to the detection element 1 and a high voltage mode for applying a high voltage higher than said normal voltage to said detection element 1. Thereby, upon energization of the hydrogen gas sensor, the detection element 1 can be first applied the high voltage to be rapidly heated to raise a temperature of the detection element 1 immediately. And then, the detection element 1 can be applied the normal voltage to be heated to be kept at a predetermined temperature at which the hydrogen gas is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalytic combustion type hydrogen gas sensor of a simple structure, which is capable of inhibiting the degradation of the sensitivity thereof over a long period of time even in the presence of a silicon compound being a catalyst poison. This hydrogen gas sensor is equipped with a detection element 1 having a sensing part 2 and a silicon trapping body 3. The sensing part 2 has a function of being heated by Joule heat generated by energization of the sensing part 2, a function of combusting hydrogen gas while being heated, and a function of outputting a change in electrical resistance of the sensing part 2 indicative of hydrogen gas concentration, the change in electrical resistance being caused by an increase in temperature of the sensing part 2 caused by the combustion heat of the hydrogen gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas detection method and detection apparatus that provide better sensitivity and faster recovery after response than conventional gas detection methods and apparatus, by improving on these conventional methods and apparatus. The present invention is a gas detection method, in which the target gas is detected while oxygen is supplied to a sensor element 11a of a metal oxide-type gas sensor 11, wherein the target gas is detected while water vapor is supplied to the sensor element 11a, and is also a gas detection apparatus equipped with an oxygen supply means 14 for supplying oxygen to a sensor element 11a of a metal oxide-type gas sensor 11, said gas detection apparatus being provided with a water vapor supply means 15 for supplying water vapor to the sensor element 11a.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph having the capability of performing a reliable measurement under a condition that the baseline of a detector output is stabilized, and a breath component analyzer using the same are provided. This gas chromatograph comprises a gas separation column accommodating a member for causing a flow delay depending on gas component; air pump for supplying an air as a carrier gas into the gas separation column; gas supply port formed in a gas flow channel extending between the air pump and the gas separation column, and adapted to supply a subject gas containing a target gas component to be detected into the carrier gas flowing in the gas flow channel; buffer tank provided upstream of the gas supply port; and a detector for detecting the gas component of the subject gas supplied into the gas separation column.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph having the capability of performing a reliable measurement under a condition that the baseline of a detector output is stabilized, and a breath component analyzer using the same are provided. This gas chromatograph comprises a gas separation column accommodating a member for causing a flow delay depending on gas component; air pump for supplying an air as a carrier gas into the gas separation column; gas supply port formed in a gas flow channel extending between the air pump and the gas separation column, and adapted to supply a subject gas containing a target gas component to be detected into the carrier gas flowing in the gas flow channel; buffer tank provided upstream of the gas supply port; and a detector for detecting the gas component of the subject gas supplied into the gas separation column.

Abstract: A cleaning mat provided with a single rubber layer including many extra-fine short fibers. The extra-fine short fibers are undirectionally protruding from a surface of the rubber layer to form brush-like protruding portions. The cleaning mat is made by polishing the surface of the rubber layer composed of a mixture of raw rubber material and the extra-fine short fibers.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a metal heat generating member formed with a heat-resistant insulating coating of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or the like over its surface, and an atmosphere-sensitive layer of SnO.sub.2 or the like supported on the coating. The insulating coating is formed, for example, by alumina sol coating and thermal decomposition, or plasma CVD of an aluminum compound. The sensitive layer is formed, for example, by the thermal decomposition of an organic compound of tin, vacuum evaporation or sputtering of tin, or printing of SnO.sub.2 on the heat generating member when the member is in the form of a flat plate. At least one electrode is connected to the sensitive layer for deriving an output from the layer in response to a combustible gas, humidity or the like.