Abstract: A pressure sensor has a stem in which a pressure introduction hole into which a pressure medium is introduced and a diaphragm deformable according to the pressure of the pressure medium are formed, and a strain detecting element which is arranged on the diaphragm via an insulating film and being configured to output a detection signal according to the deformation of the diaphragm. The strain detecting element is configured to have a portion made of polysilicon. A low doping layer having a higher electrical resistivity than polysilicon and a higher crystallinity than the insulating film is arranged between the insulating film and the strain detecting element.

Abstract: A mixing method and apparatus in which, a gas for conditioning the physical properties o the material being mixed is ejected forwardly of the direction of rotation of a stirring member from within the material being mixed, when stirring the material to be mixed with the stirring member which rotates around an axis inside a vessel.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprising a stirring member (4) and a flow direction-changing member (7), which are provided so as to rotate together with a rotating shaft (3) disposed to be drivable in a rotating manner around an axis inside a vessel (2) for containing a material to be mixed, and a pulverizing member (6) provided on the inner circumference (2a′) of the vessel (2) facing the outer circumference of the rotating shaft (3) to be drivable in a rotating manner. The stirring member (4) is arranged by leaving a space relative to the outer circumference of the rotating shaft (3) in the radial direction of rotation, and has a stirring surface, which causes the material being mixed to flow toward the outer circumference of the rotating shaft (3).

Abstract: A process for producing nonionic detergent granules having a bulk density of from 0.6 to 1.2 g/ml is disclosed, which comprises the following steps (1) to (3):(1) mixing a detergent material comprising a nonionic surfactant;(2) granulating a mixture obtained in said step (1) by agitating in an agitating mixer provided at the center position thereof with a rotation shaft having an agitation impeller with a clearance between the agitation impeller and an inner wall of the mixer, wherein the agitation impeller agitates the mixture to form an adhesion layer of said mixture on said inner wall of said mixer so as to increase a bulk density of granules of the mixture; and(3) mixing the granules obtained in said step (2) with fine particles to thereby coat the surface of the granules with the fine particles.