Abstract: A method for highly hydrophilifying the surface of an article by photoexcitation of a semiconductor photocatalyst and maintaining the hydrophilicity is disclosed. A layer containing a photocatalyst is formed on a substrate. Onto the surface of the layer are fixed a hydroxyl group upon photoexcitation of the photocatalyst and a physically adsorbed water molecule in the vicinity of the hydroxyl group upon photoexcitation of the photocatalyst. Thus, the surface is highly hydrophilified. Further, this surface, simultaneously with the hydrophilification, exhibits higher hydrophobicity.

Abstract: A process for photocatalytically treating a hospital room contaminated by bacteria or an interior environment bearing airborne malodorous substances. A thin film of photocatalyst made of a semiconductor such as titanium dioxide is disposed on the inner wall of the hospital room or living space. The photocatalytic thin film is irradiated by a light source suitable for general lighting applications, such as a fluorescent lamp, and is photoexcited by the small amount of ultraviolet radiation included in the light of fluorescent lamp. The wattage of the fluorescent lamp as well as the distance between the photocatalytic thin film and the lamp are selected such that the intensity of those UV wavelengths which have a higher energy than the band gap energy of the photo-catalyst is 0.001-1 mW/cm.sup.2, preferably, 0.01-0.1 mW/cm.sup.2. The bacteria and chemical compounds deposited on the photoexcited thin film are photodecomposed.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials are classified into those which have a photocatalytic layer 2 with a photocatalytic function directly disposed on the surface of a base 1 and those which have a photocatalytic layer 2 with a photocatalytic function disposed on the surface of a base 1 through a binder layer 6 interposed therebetween. Photocatalytic particles of the photocatalytic layer 2 are joined together by a surface energy or solid-state sintering. The photocatalytic layer 2 may have a structure in which fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles or a structure in which no fine particles fill interstices defined between photocatalytic particles. A metal such as Ag, Pt, or the like may be fixed or not fixed to surfaces of the photocatalytic particles.

Abstract: By curing a curable organopolysiloxane composition comprising an organopolysiloxane and photocatalytic particles, typically of titanium oxide, there is obtained a rubber member. A surface of the rubber member can be rendered hydrophilic or non-staining by irradiating UV radiation to the surface. The rubber member is thus useful as a building seal, coating and gasket.

Abstract: A photocatalytic coating composition comprising (A) a coat-forming element capable of forming a coating of silicone resin when cured and (B) a photocatalyst dispersed therein. The coat-forming element is comprised of an organopolysiloxane having a monovalent organic C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 group and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy group. The coating composition is applied to an article and cured to form a silicone coating thereon. When the coating is exposed to light, typically UV, the photocatalyst is excited to provide photocatalysis permitting organic groups attached to silicon atoms of silicone molecules at the coating surface to be replaced by hydroxyl groups in the presence of water, thereby rendering the coating surface hydrophilic. Thereafter, the coating maintains water affinity semi-eternally and has improved weather resistance.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a thermal resistance member formed in a straight form, a first lead conductor group having a plurality of first lead conductors which are connected to the thermal resistance member, a second lead conductor group having a plurality of second lead conductors which are connected to the thermal resistance member, the first lead conductors and the second lead conductors being alternately arranged at a given interval, a third lead conductor group connected to the thermal resistance member between the first and second lead conductor groups, and a switch having a first selecting mode for selecting the first lead conductor group and a second selecting mode for selecting the second lead conductor group, wherein when the switch selects the first selecting mode, a region of the thermal resistance member sandwiched by the first lead conductor group and the third lead conductor group is heated, and when the switch selects the second selecting mode, a region of the thermal resistance member sandwiche

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a corona discharge device suitable for use as an ozonizer capable of producing a controlled small amount of ozone throughout a prolonged service life. A foreproduct of corona discharge device (50) is first prepared which is provided with first and second planar electrodes (54; 56) capacitively coupled with each other by a third floating electrode (64) which is coated by a protective layer (68) of chemically-resistive electrically-insulatingmaterial. A high frequency alternating voltage having a voltage level higher than an initial minimum flashover voltage level of the foreproduct is then applied until the protective layer is aged. Aging of the protective layer is effective in lowering the initial minimum flashover voltage of the final product thus obtained as well as in reducing any fluctuation of the initial minimum flashover voltage that would otherwise occur from product to product. Various other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck having an insulating layer comprising solid-solution grains comprised of alumina and a transition metal oxide having the structure of a corundum, and a glass component present in grain boundaries of the solid-solution grains. The transition metal oxide is a transition metal oxide capable of forming a solid solution with alumina, and preferably includes chromia (Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3), whose crystal structure is similar to alumina, having the structure of a corundum. The electrostatic chuck can exhibit a stable electrostatic performance without regard to operating temperatures.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck has a substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the substrate for attracting a workpiece thereto, and an electrode interposed between the substrate and the insulating layer. The insulating layer having a volume resistivity .rho.(.OMEGA.m), a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.r, and a thickness d (m), and being spaced from the workpiece which is attracted thereto by a gap having a distance .delta.(m). The volume resistivity .rho., the dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.r, the thickness d, and the distance .delta. satisfy the following relationship:1.731.times.10.sup.-11 .rho.{.epsilon..sub.r +d/.delta.}<60.

Abstract: A first lead frame A has an island 21 on which a semiconductor chip 24 is mounted. The major surface of the island that is opposite to the major surface on which the semiconductor chip 24 is mounted is exposed to the outside of a resin member. A second lead frame B includes a distortion preventing member 26 having substantially the same shape as the island 21 of the first lead frame A. The major surface of the distortion preventing member 26 that is opposite to the major surface facing the island 21 is exposed to the outside of the resin member. The semiconductor chip 24 is located between the island 21 and the distortion preventing member 26. Thus, the semiconductor device has low thermal resistance, and its final shape has no distortion.

Abstract: A resin for bonding polyarylene sulfides is disclosed, comprising a copolymer wherein a main constituent element of the repeating unit of the copolymer is --A--Z--R--Z--, wherein --Z--is an ester linkage; A is an arylene sulfide oligomer component block comprising one or more arylene groups; and R is an organic compound residue formed by removing one atom or one group attached to each of two carbon atoms among carbon atoms constituting either an aliphatic main chain or an aromatic ring and has at most a molecular weight corresponding to an oligomer, but is different from A. An adhesive comprising the resin and a pyrrolidone solvent is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a multiple-time recorder in which different colored recordings are superimposed on a single sheet to draw a multi-colored drawing, the reference position of the recording paper must remain at a same point for each-time drawing of a single color. At an initialization, a physical property of the recording paper is measured as a function of the paper position including the reference position, and this function is stored in a reference data memory. Before the commencement of the next and subsequent recordings, the same physical property is measured and stored in a compared data memory. From the cross correlation of the contents of the compared data memory and those of the reference data memory, the reference position for the next and subsequent recordings is precisely determined.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck for electrostatically attracting and holding an object such as a semiconductor wafer includes a base plate, at least two layers each including an electrically insulating film and an electrode attached to a lower surface thereof, the at least two layers being disposed as attractive layers on the base plate, and a voltage applying assembly for selectively applying a voltage to at least one of the electrodes to electrostatically attract the object to the insulating film of an uppermost one of the layers. The insulating films may have different insulation resistances to allow for a wider range of temperature changes.

Abstract: A first voltage is first applied to the electrode or electrodes of an electrostatic chuck for electrostatically attracting a workpiece such as a silicon wafer. Then, before the workpiece is removed from the electrostatic chuck, a second voltage which is of opposite polarity to the first voltage is applied to the electrostatic chuck for eliminating a residual attractive force from the electrostatic chuck. The second voltage has a voltage value which is 1.5 to 2 times higher than the voltage value of the first voltage. The second voltage is continuously applied for a period of time which is in inverse proportion to the voltage value of the second voltage.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic for use in an electrostatic chuck, formed by firing in a reducing atmosphere a ceramic material mainly comprised of alumina, wherein said ceramic material comprises an alkaline earth metal in an amount of from 1.0 to 6.0% by weight in terms of oxide and a transition metal in an amount of from 0.5 to 6.0% by weight in terms of oxide, while controlling the dew point of atmosphere gas to be not more than 45.degree. C.Also disclosed is a method of making a dielectric ceramic for use in an electrostatic chuck, comprising firing a ceramic material mainly comprised of alumina and containing from 1.0 to 6.0% by weight of an alkaline earth metal in terms of oxide and from 0.5 to 6.0% by weight of a transition metal in terms of oxide, in a reducing atmosphere while controlling the dew point of atmosphere gas.

Abstract: A feed apparatus includes first guides disposed between a base and a first slide to guide the first slide on the base along a first axis, second guides disposed between the first slide and a second slide to guide the second slide on the first slide along a second axis at a right angle to the first axis, a first adjustment bolt disposed on the base to impart a preliminary pressure to the first guides, and a second adjustment bolt disposed on the second slide to impart a preliminary pressure to the second guides. Upon imposing the preliminary pressure on the first and second guides, bending transformations are caused in the base and the second slide, but no bending transformation occurs in the first slide, thereby both guides can allow both slides to be smoothly moved.