Abstract: A method for producing porous particles includes (1) a step of preparing a solution of an amphiphilic substance by dissolving the amphiphilic substance in a mixed solvent capable of being freeze-dried, (2) a step of producing a precipitate containing the amphiphilic substance by cooling the solution obtained in step (1) to a temperature equal to or less than a phase separation temperature of the solution, and thereafter holding the solution at the temperature, and (3) a step of producing porous particles by freeze-drying the solution containing the precipitate obtained in the step (2).

Abstract: A method for producing porous particles includes (1) a step of preparing a solution of an amphiphilic substance by dissolving the amphiphilic substance in a mixed solvent capable of being freeze-dried, (2) a step of producing a precipitate containing the amphiphilic substance by cooling the solution obtained in step (1) to a temperature equal to or less than a phase separation temperature of the solution, and thereafter holding the solution at the temperature, and (3) a step of producing porous particles by freeze-drying the solution containing the precipitate obtained in the step (2).

Abstract: A carbon porous body (ICY) includes a carbon skeleton containing carbon atoms, wherein the carbon skeleton includes carbon main sections and carbon linking sections mutually linking the carbon main sections; a distance D1 between adjacent carbon main sections and a distance D2 between adjacent carbon linking sections satisfy the relationship of D1<D2; the carbon main sections are arranged three-dimensionally, regularly and symmetrically; and a specific surface area of the carbon porous body is not less than 1,300 m2/g and/or the pore capacity of the carbon porous body is not less than 1.5 cm3/g.

Abstract: A carbon porous body (ICY) includes a carbon skeleton containing carbon atoms, wherein the carbon skeleton includes carbon main sections and carbon linking sections mutually linking the carbon main sections; a distance D1 between adjacent carbon main sections and a distance D2 between adjacent carbon linking sections satisfy the relationship of D1<D2; the carbon main sections are arranged three-dimensionally, regularly and symmetrically; and a specific surface area of the carbon porous body is not less than 1,300 m2/g and/or the pore capacity of the carbon porous body is not less than 1.5 cm3/g.

Abstract: The liquid fullerene derivative according to the present invention contains a fullerene moiety, a benzene ring bonded to the fullerene moiety, and first to third alkyl substituents R1, R2 and R3 bonded to 2-, 4- and 6-positions of the benzene ring, respectively, and the first to third alkyl substituents R1, R2 and R3 each contain at least 12 carbon atoms. The liquid fullerene derivative which is liquid at room temperature without requiring a solvent and easily exhibits the function of the fullerene itself, a method for producing the same, and a device using the same are provided.

Abstract: The liquid fullerene derivative according to the present invention contains a fullerene moiety, a benzene ring bonded to the fullerene moiety, and first to third alkyl substituents R1, R2 and R3 bonded to 2-, 4- and 6-positions of the benzene ring, respectively, and the first to third alkyl substituents R1, R2 and R3 each contain at least 12 carbon atoms. The liquid fullerene derivative which is liquid at room temperature without requiring a solvent and easily exhibits the function of the fullerene itself, a method for producing the same, and a device using the same are provided.

Abstract: There are provided a carbon porous body having a larger pore capacity and a larger specific surface area that can advantageously diffuse the substance it adsorbs into the inside and a method of manufacturing such a carbon porous body. The method of manufacturing a carbon porous body is characterized by comprising a step of mixing a cage-shaped silica porous body and a carbon source, a step of heating the obtained mixture and a step of removing the cage-shaped silica porous body from the reaction product. The cage-shaped silica porous body contains a silica skeleton, a plurality of pores formed by the silica skeleton and a plurality of channels also formed by the silica skeleton to mutually link the plurality of pores. The plurality of pores are arranged three-dimensionally, regularly and symmetrically, the diameter d1 of the plurality of pores and the diameter d2 of the plurality of channels satisfy the relationship of d1>d2.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive layers are disposed on respective resin films through electrodes to face each other, and include high conductivity flaky carbon particles and low conductivity amorphous-based carbon particles. The two kinds of carbon particles are bound together by a resin-system binder. Accordingly, when a pushing force is applied to the resin films, an average distance between the carbon particles is decreased to cause a tunnel conduction phenomenon, resulting in a decrease in conductive resistance between the electrodes. As a result, a pressure sensing property can be made gentle.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of an immobilized protein ultrathin film reactor by immersing a solid support alternately into an aqueous solution of protein, and into an aqueous solution of polyion charged oppositely to said protein and preparing a structurally controlled ultrathin film of mono- or multi- protein layers on a said solid support with precision at molecular level. And a method for chemical reaction of a substrate by preparing an immobilized protein ultrathin film reactor composed of multiple layers of protein on a solid support by above mentioned method, and initiating a chemical change of the substrate molecules using obtained immobilized protein ultrathin film reactor.

Abstract: A membrane switch that suppresses the growth, or migration, of metallic ion crystals caused by condensation. First and second metallic conductive layers are provided on an inside of the first and second resin film, respectively. First and second non-metallic conductive layers cover the first and second metallic conductive layers, respectively. A spacer separates the first and second metallic conductive layers and includes an inner wall that, together with the first and second metallic conductive layers, defines a spacer cavity. At least one of the first and second metallic conductive layers is located a prescribed distance from the spacer inner wall, as the spacer inner wall provides a pathway for the metallic ion crystal migration.

Abstract: Multiple layered functional thin films fixed on a solid support are provided which comprise multiple layers of functional molecules (such as enzymes and other proteins, pigments and dyes) admixed with polymer ions in combination with multiple layers of polymer ions without the functional molecules. The films are prepared by immersing a solid support having an electric charge in an admixed polymer ion-functional molecule solution having a net electric charge opposite to that of the solid support followed by immersing the solid support in a polymer ion solution having a net electric charge opposite to that of the admixed polymer ion-functional molecule solution, and repeating at least once the immersings of the solid support in the solutions.

Abstract: A membrane switch having a pair of flexible printed boards and a pair of contacts respectively disposed on said printed boards. The contacts are formed of powdered alloy of silver and palladium bounded by resinous material, and a conductive layer of silver powder is disposed between the flexible printed board and the contact. Preferably, the powdered alloy contains 50-97 weight percent silver and palladium in the remainder of weight percent.

Abstract: A gas detecting device for a vehicle includes a casing which is formed therein with an air passage having an air inlet and an air outlet located above the air inlet. A filter is provided in the air passage below and downstream of a gas sensor. The filter has a lower end surface at a side of the air inlet and an upper end surface at a side of the gas sensor. The lower end surface of the filter works as an air-passing surface through which the air flows into the filter, while the upper end surface of the filter works as an air-passing surface through which the air flows out of the filter. A certain gap is provided between a lower portion of a side surface of the filter and an inner wall surface of the casing defining the air passage so that this lower portion of the filter also works as an air-passing surface through which the air flows into the filter. A labyrinth structure may be provided in the air passage between the air inlet and the filter for causing the air to meander at the labyrinth structure.

Abstract: A thin film resistor for a strain gauge prepared by physical or chemical vapor deposition. The resistor contains 60 to 98 atomic % of chromium, 2 to 30 atomic % of oxygen, and 0 to 10 atomic % of a metal or semiconductor. These constituents are uniformly distributed. The thickness of the film is between 0.01 and 10 .mu.m. The metal is at least one of Al, Ti, Ta, Zr and In, and the semiconductor is at least one of silicon, germanium and boron. The thin film resistor has excellent resistance-strain characteristics and resistance-temperature characteristics, as well as high sensitivity and mechanical strength.

Abstract: A potentiometer includes a magnetoresistive element made of ferromagnetic material. A device applies a magnetic field to the magnetoresistive element. An absolute value of the magnetic field applied to the magnetoresistive element is equal to or greater than a saturation magnetic field with respect to the ferromagnetic magnetoresistive element. The magnetic field applying device is movable relative to the magnetoresistive element.