Abstract: There are provided a sample conveying device and a sample conveyance method capable of determining a cause of an abnormality in a conveyance speed more quickly than in the related art. In a conveying device 501, a general conveyance speed of a conveying container 102 is obtained from a position of the conveying container 102 detected by a position detection unit 110 to determine whether the general conveyance speed is abnormal, and when it is determined that the general conveyance speed is abnormal, an inspection conveying container 105 is conveyed, and the cause of the abnormality in the general conveyance speed is determined based on the conveyance speed of the inspection conveying container 105.

Abstract: A purifying catalyst includes catalyst powder composed of a transition metal oxide of which an average particle diameter is within 1 nm to 2 ?m and in which an electron binding energy of oxygen is shifted to an energy side lower than 531.3 eV. The purifying catalyst shows good purification performance even when noble metal is not contained as an essential component.

Abstract: A purifying catalyst includes catalyst powder composed of a transition metal oxide of which an average particle diameter is within 1 nm to 2 ?m and in which an electron binding energy of oxygen is shifted to an energy side lower than 531.3 eV. The purifying catalyst shows good purification performance even when noble metal is not contained as an essential component.

Abstract: A particulate matter oxidizing catalyst includes: at least one metal selected from the group consisting of: gallium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, silver, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium and gold; and cerium, wherein a first oxide includes: the cerium, and a first metal which is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: gallium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel, wherein a second oxide includes: the cerium, and a second metal which is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: praseodymium, zirconium and aluminum, and wherein the second oxide and the first oxide have a content ratio of second oxide/(first oxide+second oxide)=0.1 by mass to 0.8 by mass.

Abstract: A particulate matter oxidizing catalyst includes: at least one metal selected from the group consisting of: gallium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, silver, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium and gold; and cerium, wherein a first oxide includes: the cerium, and a first metal which is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: gallium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel, wherein a second oxide includes: the cerium, and a second metal which is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: praseodymium, zirconium and aluminum, and wherein the second oxide and the first oxide have a content ratio of second oxide/(first oxide+second oxide)=0.1 by mass to 0.8 by mass.

Abstract: A surface defect inspection apparatus a lighting unit shaped in an arched form laid across the path of movement of an object under inspection for illuminating its surface. A light diffusion sheet is located between the lighting unit and the path of movement of the object for forming a bright and dark light pattern on the surface of the object. A plurality of light sensors are arranged in an arched form laid across the path of movement of the object. Each of the light sensors produces an electrical signal in response to light of reflection from the surface of the object. The electrical signal is converted into an image including the bright and dark light pattern. This conversion is repeated to produce similar images in sequence for inspection of a defect which may exist on the surface of the object.