Abstract: In an embodiment method for growing a rare earth oxide crystal, a surface of a Si substrate is cleaned by carrying out treatments using chemical solutions such as a mixed sulfuric acid-hydrogen peroxide solution, hot nitric acid, or diluted hydrofluoric acid several times to remove impurities on the surface of the Si substrate. A silicon oxide layer including amorphous SiOx is formed on the Si substrate. A metal layer including a rare earth metal is formed in contact with an upper surface of the silicon oxide layer. The silicon oxide layer is reacted with the metal layer through heating to form a first crystal layer including a rare earth oxide crystal obtained by oxidizing the rare earth metal on the Si substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides a binder for a fuel cell which has high adhesion, low methanol solubility, high methanol permeability and high proton conductivity, a composition for electrode formation, an electrode for a fuel cell, and a fuel cell using them. The binder is particularly suitable for a binder for a direct methanol type fuel cell which requires high proton conductivity. The binder for a fuel cell comprises a block copolymer which comprises a block having a repeating structural unit of a divalent aromatic group that contains a protonic acid group and a block having a repeating structural unit of a divalent aromatic group that does not contain a protonic acid group, and which has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 180° C. or less. In particular, it is preferable that the block copolymer has an ion exchange group equivalent of from 200 to 1,000 g/mole and a weight retention ratio of 90% or more as measured by immersion in a 64 weight % aqueous methanol solution at 25° C. for 24 hours.

Abstract: An antenna core produced by shaping a soft magnetic metal powder with the use of a resin as a binder, wherein the soft magnetic metal powder is an amorphous soft magnetic metal powder or a nanocrystal-containing amorphous soft magnetic metal powder, of the general formula (1): (Fe1-x-yCoxNiy)100-a-b-cSiaBbMc (1), and wherein the resin as a binder is a thermosetting resin. In the formula, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Mo, Zr, W, Ta, Hf, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Y, Pd, Ru, Ga, Ge, C, P, Al, Cu, Au, Ag, Sn and Sb. Each of x and y is an atomic ratio and each of a, b and c an atomic %, satisfying the relationships: 0?x?1.0, 0?y?0.5, 0?x+y?1.0, 0?a?24, 1?b?30, 0?c?30 and 2?a+b?30.

Abstract: An antenna core produced by shaping a soft magnetic metal powder with the use of a resin as a binder, wherein the soft magnetic metal powder is an amorphous soft magnetic metal powder or a nanocrystal-containing amorphous soft magnetic metal powder, of the general formula (1): (Fe1-x-yCoxNiy)100-a-b-cSiaBbMc (1), and wherein the resin as a binder is a thermosetting resin. In the formula, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Mo, Zr, W, Ta, Hf, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Y, Pd, Ru, Ga, Ge, C, P, Al, Cu, Au, Ag, Sn and Sb. Each of x and y is an atomic ratio and each of a, b and c an atomic %, satisfying the relationships: 0?x?1.0, 0?y?0.5, 0?x+y?1.0, 0?a?24, 1?b?30, 0?c?30 and 2?a+b?30.

Abstract: The invention provides a crosslinkable aromatic resin having a protonic acid group and a crosslinkable group, suitable for electrolytic membranes and binders used in fuel cells, etc., and electrolytic polymer membranes, binders and fuel cells using the resin. The crosslinkable aromatic resin has a crosslinkable group, which is not derived from the protonic acid group and can form a polymer network without any elimination component. This resin exhibits excellent ion conductivity, heat resistance, water resistance, adhesion property and low methanol permeability. Preferably, the crosslinkable group is composed of a C1 to C10 alkyl group directly bonded to the aromatic ring and/or an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the main chain in which at least one carbon atom directly bonded to the aromatic ring bonds to hydrogen, and a carbonyl group, or a carbon-carbon double bond or triple bond.

Abstract: This invention provides a binder for a fuel cell which has high adhesion, low methanol solubility, high methanol permeability and high proton conductivity, a composition for electrode formation, an electrode for a fuel cell, and a fuel cell using them. The binder is particularly suitable for a binder for a direct methanol type fuel cell which requires high proton conductivity. The binder for a fuel cell comprises a block copolymer which comprises a block having a repeating structural unit of a divalent aromatic group that contains a protonic acid group and a block having a repeating structural unit of a divalent aromatic group that does not contain a protonic acid group, and which has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 180° C. or less. In particular, it is preferable that the block copolymer has an ion exchange group equivalent of from 200 to 1,000 g/mole and a weight retention ratio of 90% or more as measured by immersion in a 64 weight % aqueous methanol solution at 25° C. for 24 hours.

Abstract: An intermediate layer (161) is formed between a catalyst layer (112) and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (114). The intermediate layer (161) contains a protonic acid group-containing aromatic polyether ketone and catalyst particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a crosslinkable aromatic resin having a protonic acid group and a crosslinkable group, suitable for electrolytic membranes and binders used in fuel cells, etc., and electrolytic polymer membranes, binders and fuel cells using the resin. The crosslinkable aromatic resin has a crosslinkable group, which is not derived from the protonic acid group and can form a polymer network without any elimination component. This resin exhibits excellent ion conductivity, heat resistance, water resistance, adhesion property and low methanol permeability. Preferably, the crosslinkable group is composed of a C1 to C10 alkyl group directly bonded to the aromatic ring and/or an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the main chain in which at least one carbon atom directly bonded to the aromatic ring bonds to hydrogen, and a carbonyl group, or a carbon-carbon double bond or triple bond.

Abstract: To realize compactness of an inductance element such as choke coil or the like, an inductance element is provided which is composed of a magnetic core having a central hollow portion defined by a magnetic alloy thin strip, and a lead line disposed to pass through the hollow portion of the magnetic core. A specific magnetic permeation .mu. of said magnetic core is in the range of 100 to 10,000.