Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell module in which a reduction in the adhesive strength of the sealing resin used is suppressed even after use in a severe environment for a long period of time, in which corrosion of an electrode is prevented, and which has favorable flame resistance. The solar cell module uses, as the sealing resin, a blended polymer of a thermoplastic ester polyol polyurethane resin including an ester-based polyol unit and a thermoplastic ether polyol polyurethane resin including an ether-based polyol unit. The blending mass ratio of the thermoplastic ester polyol polyurethane resin to the thermoplastic ether polyol polyurethane resin in the blended polymer is 10:90 to 50:50. The thermoplastic ether polyol polyurethane resin includes a polyurethane resin A having flame resistance and a polyurethane resin B having lower flame resistance but higher adhesion properties than the polyurethane resin A.

Abstract: A solar cell module is manufactured by resin-sealing a solar cell having a surface electrode to which a tab wire is connected, a tab wire is connected to the surface electrode and the solar cell is sealed with a sealing resin at a relative low temperature during the resin sealing step. For such purposes, a thin-film solar cell having a surface electrode to which a tab wire is connected is resin-sealed with a conductive adhesive film by using a decompression laminator, whereby the thin-film solar cell module is manufactured. A decompression laminator having a first chamber and a second chamber partitioned by a flexible sheet is used. Each chamber is capable of independent internal pressure adjustment. The second chamber includes a heating stage capable of heating. A resin mutually compatible with the thermoplastic resin constituting the conductive adhesive film is used as the sealing resin.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a glass substrate, a first sealing resin layer, a solar cell connected to a tab wire, a second sealing resin layer, and a protective sheet, which are laminated. The second sealing resin layer is formed from a blend polymer of a thermoplastic polyurethane resin having an ester-type polyol unit and a thermoplastic polyurethane resin having an ether-type polyol unit. The blend ratio of the thermoplastic polyurethane resin having the ester-type polyol unit to the thermoplastic polyurethane resin having the ether-type polyol unit in the blend polymer is 20:80 to 50:50 by mass.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal element comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal and a pair of substantially parallel substrates having opposite surfaces between which the ferroelectric liquid crystal is sealed. The substrates are provided with electrodes to which voltages are applied, and are subjected to one axis orientation treatment so as to orient the ferroelectric liquid crystal. The ferroelectric liquid crystal has an orientation state represented by the following condition: &thgr;<&agr;+&dgr; wherein &agr; is a pretilt angle of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, &thgr; is a tilt angle, and &dgr; is an inclination angle of an Sm*C layer. The ferroelectric liquid crystal exhibits at least two stable states in orientation. An angle &thgr;a ½ between optical axes of these two stable states and the tilt angle &thgr; of the ferroelectric liquid crystal satisfy the condition &thgr;>&thgr;a>{fraction (&thgr;/2)}.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a thin magnetic metal film formed by vapor deposition under an atmosphere of an introduced oxygen gas. The thickness of the surface oxide film having the degree of oxidation of 50% or higher is maintained so as to be not higher than 5% of the total film thickness of the thin magnetic metal film. The magnetic recording medium is affected to a lesser extent by the surface oxide layer such that it is superior in magnetic properties, such as coercivity, and in electromagnetic properties.

Abstract: Novel perfluoropolyether derivatives are described which are obtained from perfluoropolyethers having a carboxyl group at one or both ends and monoamines or diamines. The derivative is useful as a lubricant owing to its significantly improved lubricity. The lubricity is shown under severe high or low temperature and humidity conditions over a long term. The derivative is especially useful as a lubricant for magnetic recording mediums of the coating and metal thin film types.

Abstract: A ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal composition is provided with a fast response speed and a less temperature dependency of the response speed by containing at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the formula (1) below: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes an alkyl group having 1-16 carbon atoms and capable of having a substituent; R.sub.2 denotes an alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, acyloxy group or alkoxycarbonyloxy group each having 1-16 carbon atoms and capable of having a substituent; and ##STR2## respectively denotes ##STR3## each capable of having a substituent.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal element has a ferroelectric liquid crystal with an orientation state represented by .theta.<.alpha.+.delta. wherein .alpha. is a pretilt angle of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, .theta. is a tilt angle, and .delta. is an inclination angle of an Sm*C layer. In another embodiment is a liquid crystal element having a chiral smectic liquid crystal satisfying T.sub.1 /T.sub.2 <2.5 in a first orientation state wherein T.sub.2 is a pulse width threshold values of a portion in a second orientation state adjacent lightning and hairpin defects and T.sub.1 is a pulse width threshold value in a first orientation state of a portion outside of the T.sub.2 portion. In both embodiments, the ferroelectric liquid crystal exhibits at least two stable states in orientation. An angle .theta..sub.a midway between optical axes of these two stable states and the tilt angle 8 of the ferroelectric liquid crystal satisfy the condition .theta.>.theta..sub.a >.theta./2.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition, comprising at least three mesomorphic compounds represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein C* denotes an asymmetric carbon atom; E denotes a mesomorphic compound residue including a divalent 6-membered ring-containing group capable of having a substituent; and A and B are mutually different groups respectively selected from the class of (a) methyl group, (b) linear or branched alkyl groups having 2-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent, (c) linear or branched alkyloxy groups having 1-18 carbon atoms, (d) linear or branched alkyloxyalkyl groups having 2-18 carbon atoms, (e) linear or branched alkyloxycarbonyl groups having 2-18 carbon atoms, (f) linear or branched alkyloxycarbonylmethyl groups having 3-18 carbon atoms; (g) chlorine or bromine, (h) fluorine, (i) trifluoromethyl group, and (j) cyano group; the above-mentioned at least three mesomorphic compounds belonging to at least three mutually different series of compounds which are diffe

Abstract: Novel perfluoropolyether derivatives are described which are obtained from perfluoropolyethers having a carboxyl group at one or both ends and monoamines or diamines. The derivative is useful as a lubricant owing to its significantly improved lubricity. The lubricity is shown under severe high or low temperature and humidity conditions over a long term. The derivative is especially useful as a lubricant for magnetic recording mediums of the coating and metal thin film types.

Abstract: A lubricant contains ester compound made of perfluoropolyether and long chain alkyl carboxylic acid or alcohol. The perfluoropolyether has hydroxyl or carboxyl group at its end. The ester compound is admixed with long chain alkyl amine of from 0.01 to 100 in mole ratio. The long chain alkyl may be partially fluorined or perfluoro alkyl. At least one of phosphoric ester, phosphorous ester and long chain carboxylate ester can be further admixed. A magnetic recording medium can be coated by the lubricant.

Abstract: A chiral smectic liquid crystal composition is formed by including at least one species of a mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X denotes F, Cl, Br, CF.sub.3, NO.sub.2 or CN; Y denotes a single bond, ##STR2## --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 --; and R denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms optionally substituted. The composition shows improved switching characteristics and, when used in combination with an alignment film providing a high pre-tilt angle, provides an increased contrast at a large drive margin and with little tendency of monostabilization of a memory state.

Abstract: A ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal composition is provided with a fast response speed and a less temperature dependency of the response speed by containing at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the formula (1) below: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes an alkyl group having 1-16 carbon atoms and capable of having a substituent; R.sub.2 denotes an alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, acyloxy group or alkoxycarbonyloxy group each having 1-16 carbon atoms and capable of having a substituent; and ##STR2## respectively denotes ##STR3## each capable of having a substituent.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition, comprising: at least one optically active mesomorphic compound having an asymmetric carbon atom to which a fluorine atom is directly bonded.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal element has a ferroelectric liquid crystal with an orientation state represented by .theta.<.alpha.+.delta. wherein .alpha. is a pretilt angle of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, .theta. is a tilt angle, and .delta. is an inclination angle of an Sm*C layer. In another embodiment is a liquid crystal element having a chiral smectic liquid crystal satisfying T.sub.1 /T.sub.2 <2.5 in a first orientation state wherein T.sub.2 is a pulse width threshold values of a portion in a second orientation state adjacent lightning and hairpin defects and T.sub.1 is a pulse width threshold value in a first orientation state of a portion outside of the T.sub.2 portion. In both embodiments, the ferroelectric liquid crystal exhibits at least two stable states in orientation. An angle .theta..sub.a midway between optical axes of these two stable states and the tilt angle .theta. of the ferroelectric liquid crystal satisfy the condition .theta.>.theta..sub.a >.theta./2.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprises a pair of opposite electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the electrodes. At least one of the opposite electrodes is coated with a primer layer and an alignment layer on the primer layer. The alignment layer has a thickness d.sub.2 and is made of a material having a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.2, and the primer layer has a thickness d.sub.1 and is made of a material having a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.1 which are greater than d.sub.2 and .epsilon..sub.2, respectively. The ferroelectric liquid crystal is at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the formula R.sub.1 --A.sub.1 --X--A.sub.2 --R.sub.2 wherein A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 respectively denote a 6-membered ring-containing divalent group; X denotes a single bond or a divalent chain group; and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 respectively denote a branch or linear chain group, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being the same or different.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell is formed by a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode and disposed spaced apart from each other, spacers and particulate adhesives respectively dispersed between the substrates and a liquid crystal, particularly a ferroelectric liquid crystal, sandwiched between the substrates. The particulate adhesives are dispersed with a non-uniform distribution over the cell extension so as to minimize initial zigzag or serrate alignment defects.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprises a pair of opposite electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the electrodes. At least one of the opposite electrodes is coated with an insulating film having a thickness of 200 .ANG. or larger. The ferroelectric liquid crystal has a capacitance C.sub.LC measured in (nF/cm.sup.2) and a spontaneous polarization PS measured in (nC/cm.sup.2) and the insulating film has a capacitance Ci measured in (nF/cm.sup.2) wherein the magnitudes of C.sub.LC, Ps, and Ci satisfy the relationship ofCi.gtoreq.7.multidot.Ps-C.sub.LC.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a pair of substrates with a orientation controlling film being provided on at least one of the substrates through a base layer, and a ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal which is disposed between the substrates. The orientation controlling film has a uniaxial orientation processing axis. The ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal generates two different stable orientation states at high and low temperatures regions within the temperature range achieving the ferroelectric smectic phase. The ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal is in one of the two stable orientation states which is generated at the low temperature region when the liquid crystal in the other stable orientation state generated at the high temperature region cools. Where d is the thickness of the orientation controlling film and S is the average surface roughness of the base layer, d and S have the relation expressed by0.ltoreq.S/d<0.70.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes: a pair of substrates disposed spaced apart from each other, a liquid crystal disposed between the substrates and a plurality of adhesive members bonding the substrates. The adhesive members are dispersed along the inner surfaces of the substrates at a rate of 100 members/mm.sup.2 or less with an average adhesion area per member of 1.25.times.10.sup.-3 mm.sup.2 or less so as to satisfy the relationship of:S.sub.A /S.sub.B =2.5.times.10.sup.-2 -1.0%,wherein S.sub.A denotes the total area of adhesion given by the adhesive members and S.sub.B denotes the area of display given by the liquid crystal device. Spacer members may be further disposed between the substrates. The spacer members may preferably be in the form of rods having a length in the range of 1 to 25 .mu.m.