Abstract: A microchip is provided which includes a first introduction channel, second introduction channels arranged to sandwich the first introduction channel and merged with the first introduction channel from both sides, and a merge channel connected to the first introduction channel and the second introduction channels, where fluids fed from the first and the second introduction channels are merged and flow, wherein the merge channel has a tapered portion formed so that a channel width in a sandwiching direction along which the first introduction channel is sandwiched by the second introduction channels gradually increases along a fluid feeding direction.

Abstract: Antibody-containing solution formulations including a sugar as a stabilizer. Said solution formulations can further include a surfactant as a stabilizer.

Abstract: To provide a fuel cell that can perform efficient power generation through a simple fuel supply. There is provided a fuel cell that generates electricity through progress of an oxidation-reduction reaction using an enzyme as a catalyst, the fuel cell including at least a fuel-vaporizing layer formed through vaporization of a fuel; an anode to which a vaporized fuel is supplied from the fuel-vaporizing layer; and a cathode connected to the anode in a state in which protons can be conducted. In the fuel cell, since a fuel is supplied to an electrode in a vaporized state, a vaporized fuel is supplied to an inner portion of the electrode and a reaction sufficiently proceeds at the inner surface of the electrode, which can achieve high output due to efficient power generation.

Abstract: Antibody-containing solution formulations including a sugar as a stabilizer. Said solution formulations can further include a surfactant as a stabilizer.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell having a structure in which a cathode and an anode face each other with a proton conductor therebetween. In this fuel cell, an oxygen reductase or the like is immobilized on at least the cathode, and the cathode is composed of a material having pores therein such as porous carbon. In this fuel cell, the volume of water contained in the cathode is controlled to be 70% or less of the volume of the pores of the cathode, whereby a high current value can be stably obtained through optimization of the amount of moisture contained in the cathode when an enzyme is immobilized on at least the cathode. Also provided is a method for operating the fuel cell.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide immunoassay microchips in which microstructures of beads having a sufficient reaction area were constructed within microchannels while suppressing flow path resistance, and to provide simple and highly-sensitive immunoassay methods for microsamples. The objective was achieved by immunoassay microchips comprising microchannels with microstructures arranged in at least a portion of the microchannels, the microstructures retaining microbeads uniformly dispersed in photo-cured hydrophilic resins, and the microbeads having a primary antibody immobilized on their surfaces, and by immunoassay methods using the microchips.

Abstract: The present invention provides stabilized preparations containing an antibody in a glycine buffer and/or a histidine buffer and also provides processes for preparing a protein-containing stabilized preparation, comprising adjusting the pH with a basic amino acid or a basic amino acid derivative or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A microchip includes a sample liquid feed channel permitting a sample liquid containing particulates to flow through, at least one pair of sheath liquid feed channels configured to merge to the sample liquid feed channel from both sides thereof for permitting a sheath liquid to flow through surrounding the sample liquid, a merging channel connected to the sample liquid feed channel and the one pair of the sheath liquid feed channels for permitting the sample liquid and the sheath liquid to merge and flow through the merging channel, a vacuum suction unit for drawing into the particulate subject to collection, connected to the merging channel, and at least one pair of discharge channels formed on both sides of the vacuum suction unit for permitting to flow through from the merging channel.

Abstract: A microchip is provided which includes a first introduction channel, second introduction channels arranged to sandwich the first introduction channel and merged with the first introduction channel from both sides, and a merge channel connected to the first introduction channel and the second introduction channels, where fluids fed from the first and the second introduction channels are merged and flow, wherein the merge channel has a tapered portion formed so that a channel width in a sandwiching direction along which the first introduction channel is sandwiched by the second introduction channels gradually increases along a fluid feeding direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microparticles measuring apparatus including: an optical detecting section configured to direct a laser beam toward microparticles passing through a flow channel, detect light emanating from the microparticles, and convert the detected light into electrical signals; and a controlling unit configured to calculate the speed of the microparticles passing through the flow channel according to the electrical signals and suspend the supply of solution containing the microparticles when the calculated speed exceeds a prescribed limit.

Abstract: A microchip includes a sample liquid feed channel permitting a sample liquid containing particulates to flow through, at least one pair of sheath liquid feed channels configured to merge to the sample liquid feed channel from both sides thereof for permitting a sheath liquid to flow through surrounding the sample liquid, a merging channel connected to the sample liquid feed channel and the one pair of the sheath liquid feed channels for permitting the sample liquid and the sheath liquid to merge and flow through the merging channel, a vacuum suction unit for drawing into the particulate subject to collection, connected to the merging channel, and at least one pair of discharge channels formed on both sides of the vacuum suction unit for permitting to flow through from the merging channel.

Abstract: A fluorescent spectrum correcting method includes comparing fluorescent spectrum obtained from micro-particles labeled with a plurality of fluorescent pigments with reference spectrum to separating the fluorescent spectrum into fluorescent spectrum for each pigment, and previously measured spectrum data is used as the reference spectrum.

Abstract: Provided are an enzyme immobilizing method, a fuel cell and an electrode for the fuel cell which employ the enzyme immobilizing method, and a method for manufacturing the fuel cell and the electrode. The enzyme immobilizing method prevents reduction in enzyme activity when the enzyme is immobilized on the electrode, so as to make it possible to obtain a high catalyst current value. In the method for immobilizing an enzyme on the electrode used in the fuel cell, an enzyme variant with at least one amino acid residue being deleted, substituted, added, or inserted in a wild-type amino acid sequences is used as the enzyme, and the enzyme variant increases in activity through heat treatment. The immobilization is performed within a temperature range which makes it possible to increase the activity of the enzyme variant.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell having a structure in which a cathode and an anode face each other with a proton conductor therebetween. In this fuel cell, an oxygen reductase or the like is immobilized on at least the cathode, and the cathode is composed of a material having pores therein such as porous carbon. In this fuel cell, the volume of water contained in the cathode is controlled to be 70% or less of the volume of the pores of the cathode, whereby a high current value can be stably obtained through optimization of the amount of moisture contained in the cathode when an enzyme is immobilized on at least the cathode. Also provided is a method for operating the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided having a structure in which a cathode and an anode face each other with an electrolyte layer therebetween. The cathode includes an electrode on which an oxygen reductase and the like are immobilized, and the electrode has pores therein, water repellency is imparted to at least part of the surface of the electrode. Water repellency is imparted by forming a water-repellent agent on the surface of the electrode. The water-repellent agent includes a water-repellent material such as carbon powder and an organic solvent such as methyl isobutyl ketone that causes phase separation with water. When the electrode has pores therein, there are provided a fuel cell that stably provides a high current value and a method for manufacturing the fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel reformer which enables power generation to be actually performed even in the case of using very-safe familiar things such as food and drink and food scraps as a fuel of a biofuel cell. The fuel reformer is used for a fuel cell which generates power as an oxidation reduction reaction progresses using enzyme as a catalyst, and has: a primary fuel introduction unit for introducing a primary fuel; a fuel reforming unit communicating with the primary fuel introduction unit and reforming the primary fuel to a secondary fuel from which electrons can be emitted by an oxidation reduction reaction using enzyme as a catalyst; and a secondary fuel supplying unit communicating with the fuel reforming unit and supplying the secondary fuel to the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same are provided, wherein at least one type of enzyme and coenzyme are confined in a minute space, an enzyme reaction is effected while this space serves as a reaction field. Thereby, electrons can be taken out of the fuel efficiently to generate electrical energy, and immobilization of these enzyme and coenzyme on an electrode can be performed easily. The enzyme and the coenzyme required for an enzyme reaction are encapsulated in a liposome, and the resulting liposome is immobilized on the surface of an electrode formed from porous carbon or the like so as to form an enzyme immobilization electrode. A transporter is incorporated in the liposome, as necessary. An electron mediator is also immobilized on the surface of the electrode. The resulting enzyme immobilization electrode is used as, for example, a negative electrode of a biofuel cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microparticles measuring apparatus including: an optical detecting section configured to direct a leaser beam toward microparticles passing through a flow channel, detect light emanating from the microparticles, and convert the detected light into electrical signals; and a controlling unit configured to calculate the speed of the microparticles passing through the flow channel according to the electrical signals and suspend the supply of solution containing the microparticles when the calculated speed exceeds a prescribed limit.

Abstract: Provided is an enzyme electrode in which oxidation-reduction reactions proceed with an enzyme acting as a catalyst, and the enzyme is modified to increase affinity and/or reaction rate with a reaction substrate or an electron transfer mediator by adding or inserting at least one codon encoding a particular amino acid residue to or into a base sequence encoding the enzyme, and is immobilized. Since the oxidation-reduction reactions on the electrode proceed highly efficiently, the enzyme electrode can cause to increase the obtained output of electric energy and thus can be suitably used in all types of fuel cells, biosensors, and electronic apparatuses.