Abstract: A highly uniform nonwoven fabric has high air permeability while it has a small maximum pore diameter. The nonwoven fabric includes: ultra-fine fibers, wherein the ultra-fine fibers have an average fiber diameter of 0.80 ?m or less, the proportion of the number of the ultra-fine fibers having a fiber diameter of 2.00 ?m or more is 5.0% or less, and the nonwoven fabric has an apparent density of not less than 0.05 g/cm3 and not more than 0.15 g/cm3 and has a maximum pore diameter of 10.0 ?m or less.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchanger includes: a heat and moisture exchanger material formed by coiling a strip-shaped porous body, the porous body having a plurality of slits formed therein that are arranged along the lengthwise direction, into a spirally-wound shape with the slits facing radially outwardly; and a housing that accommodates the heat and moisture exchanger material. Such a structure for an HME makes it possible to reduce pressure loss and improve moisture retention capabilities by means of a relatively simple structure, thereby allowing the inexpensive provision of an HME that lowers the burden on a patient.

Abstract: A highly uniform nonwoven fabric has high air permeability while it has a small maximum pore diameter. The nonwoven fabric includes: ultra-fine fibers, wherein the ultra-fine fibers have an average fiber diameter of 0.80 ?m or less, the proportion of the number of the ultra-fine fibers having a fiber diameter of 2.00 ?m or more is 5.0% or less, and the nonwoven fabric has an apparent density of not less than 0.05 g/cm3 and not more than 0.15 g/cm3 and has a maximum pore diameter of 10.0 ?m or less.

Abstract: A retractor for endoscopic surgery can be placed in a vicinity of a target organ in a body cavity, while reducing burdens on a patient. The retractor is a surgical retractor including a liquid-absorbing and swelling material, wherein the liquid-absorbing and swelling material is formed in a roll shape, the roll-shaped liquid-absorbing and swelling material absorbs liquid in a body cavity to swell and expand into a planar shape.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchanger includes: a heat and moisture exchanger material formed by coiling a strip-shaped porous body, the porous body having a plurality of slits formed therein that are arranged along the lengthwise direction, into a spirally-wound shape with the slits facing radially outwardly; and a housing that accommodates the heat and moisture exchanger material. Such a structure for an HME makes it possible to reduce pressure loss and improve moisture retention capabilities by means of a relatively simple structure, thereby allowing the inexpensive provision of an HME that lowers the burden on a patient.

Abstract: A light-weight, highly rigid, high-strength environment-friendly fiber-reinforced plastic (hereinafter, CFRP) board having a surface quality that can endure long-term use suitable for use in automobiles and the like is provided. A method for making the same is also provided. The CFRP board includes a board member formed from a woven fabric as a reinforcing base material, the woven fabric including carbon fibers; and at least one of a gel coat and a paint provided on the board member, wherein the NSIC value of the surface of the CFRP board is 30% or more.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing FRP formed by integrating a fiber reinforcing material and a non-woven fabric, and having excellent shaping ability, impact resistance after molding, and excellent reliability and low cost. The aim of the present invention is achieved by a complex fiber reinforcing material including a sheet-shaped fiber reinforcing material composed of reinforcing fibers, and a non-woven fabric laminated on at least one side of the fiber reinforcing material, wherein the fibers constituting the non-woven fabric pass through the fiber reinforcing material to integrate the non-woven fabric with the fiber reinforcing material.

Abstract: A light-weight, highly rigid, high-strength environment-friendly fiber-reforced plastic (hereinafter, CFRP) board having a surface quality that can endure long-term use suitable for use in automobiles and the like is provided. A method for making the same is also provided.