Abstract: A second derivative of a second-order differential equation is calculated at a reference variable value. The second derivative is multiplied by an analytical small variable value, the first derivative at the reference variable value is added, and a result is output as a first derivative after an increment of the analytical small variable value. The first derivative after an increment of the analytical small variable value is multiplied by the analytical small variable value, a physical value at the reference variable value is added, and a result is output as a physical value after an increment of the analytical small variable value.

Abstract: Constraint-based methods for determining orientations of material physical properties using an isoparametric shape function are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of defining an orientation of an material physical property includes defining nonlinear and/or discontinuous design constraints of design values in a geometric domain associated with one or more physical attributes of the material physical property, and translating the nonlinear and/or discontinuous design constraints into continuous, first order design constraints of the design values by applying an isoparametric shape function. The method further includes performing a topology optimization using the continuous, first order design constraints of the design values, and reverse-translating results of the topology optimization back into the geometric domain using the isoparametric shape function. The results of the topology optimization in the geometric domain are indicative of the orientation of the material physical property.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a finer texture for a silicon substrate having a textured surface and thereby obtain a thinner silicon substrate for a solar cell. The invention provides a silicon substrate that has a thickness of 50 [mu]m or less and substrate surface orientation (111), and that has a textured surface on which a texture has been formed. Such a silicon substrate is produced by a process comprising a step (A) for preparing a silicon substrate that preferably has a thickness of 50 [mu]m or less and substrate surface orientation (111), and a step (B) for texturing by blowing etching as comprising a fluorine-containing gas onto the surface of the prepared silicon substrate.

Abstract: Examples of the invention include methods and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting power to a vehicle using electromagnetic radiation. An example apparatus includes a transmitter coil associated with a first metamaterial lens, and a receiver coil associated with a second metamaterial lens, the receiver coil being located within the vehicle. The metamaterial lenses each have a negative magnetic permeability, and are separated by a lens spacing including an air gap. The first and second metamaterial lenses (and the lens spacing) act cooperatively to focus the electromagnetic radiation from the transmitter coil on the receiver coil.

Abstract: Magnetic fluid cooling devices and power electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic fluid cooling device includes a magnetic field generating device, a magnetic fluid chamber assembly, and a heat sink device. The magnetic field generating device includes a plurality of magnetic regions having alternating magnetic directions such that magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generating device is enhanced on a first side of the magnetic field generating device and inhibited on a second side of the magnetic field generating device. The magnetic fluid chamber assembly defines a magnetic fluid chamber configured to receive magnetic fluid. The heat sink device includes a plurality of extending fins, and is thermally coupled to the magnetic fluid chamber assembly. Power electronic devices are also disclosed, wherein the magnetic fluid chamber may be configured as opened or closed.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a circuit device using principles of planar Litz wire construction are disclosed using flexible printed circuit boards on which a given set of conductors is located on one surface only. The FPCBs are folded at strategic locations to effectively cause conductors in adjacent parallel planes to effectively cross one another to realize the advantages of braided Litz wire conductors, but without the use of vias or circuit interconnections between opposite sides of any given FPCB or between different sections of a continuous FPCB wherein each section defines its own coil or coil set.

Abstract: A secondary battery unit arranged within a heat source unit that is internally provided with a heat source. The secondary battery unit comprises: a secondary battery; a heat transfer material layer which is arranged so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the secondary battery; a heating device which is arranged to heat the secondary battery with the heat transfer material layer therebetween; a heat insulation material layer which is arranged on the outer peripheries of the heat transfer material layer and the heating device so as to face the heat source and which has a lower thermal conductivity and a shorter length than the heat transfer material layer; and a heat dissipation part which contacts the heat transfer material layer and an external heat dissipation part of the heat source unit and dissipates the heat from the secondary battery to the outside of the heat source unit.

Abstract: A bearing residual life prediction method, a bearing residual life diagnostic apparatus and a bearing diagnostic system can be provided. The bearing diagnostic system 20 includes: an eddy current tester 11 that measures the impedance X of a certain portion of a bearing 24 before and after the use of the bearing; a bearing information transmitter 30 that transmits bearing information s1 containing the impedance X; and a bearing information receiver 31 that receives the information; a diagnostic section 12 that obtains the residual life information s2 of the bearing 24 based on the received impedance X; and a life information transmitter 36 that transmits the residual life information s2; and a life information receiver 40 that receives the information. Hence, the bearing used by the user can be inspected nondestructively, and the residual life of the bearing can be predicted.

Abstract: An ion-exchange membrane method electrolytic cell comprising a coil cushion arranged between a conductive plate and a cathode in a cathode chamber, and further an ion-exchange membrane arranged in contact with the cathode. The conductive plate is not perforated, and the coil cushion is arranged so that its axial direction is in agreement with the vertical direction of electrolytic cell. Preferably the coil cushion is made of a metal coil and has an impact resilience of 7-17 kPa. The cathode preferably has supported electrode catalyst and is made of an expanded metal with strands of 0.1-1.0 mm width and 0.1-1.0 mm thickness, and having SW of 0.5-5.0 mm and LW of 1.0-10 mm, and 48-60% open area. The electrolytic cell is energy-saving, and damage thereof can be avoided over a long period, and elevation of voltage and reduction of current efficiency with time can be minimized.

Abstract: An antenna device is provided with a first connecting electrode, a first tunnel diode, a first antenna member and a fixed electrode. The first connecting electrode is configured to be connected to a fixed potential via a load. The first tunnel diode has a pair of electrodes. One of the electrodes of the first tunnel diode is connected to the first connecting electrode, and the other electrode of the first tunnel diode is connected to the first antenna member. The first antenna member has a conductive property and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the first antenna member is connected to the other electrode of the first tunnel diode. The fixed electrode is connected to the second portion of the first antenna member. The fixed electrode is configured to be connected to the fixed potential.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a finer texture for a silicon substrate having a textured surface and thereby obtain a thinner silicon substrate for a solar cell. The invention provides a silicon substrate that has a thickness of 50 [mu]m or less and substrate surface orientation (111), and that has a textured surface on which a texture has been formed. Such a silicon substrate is produced by a process comprising a step (A) for preparing a silicon substrate that preferably has a thickness of 50 [mu]m or less and substrate surface orientation (111), and a step (B) for texturing by blowing etching as comprising a fluorine-containing gas onto the surface of the prepared silicon substrate.

Abstract: Magnetic fluid cooling devices and power electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic fluid cooling device includes a magnetic field generating device, a magnetic fluid chamber assembly, and a heat sink device. The magnetic field generating device includes a plurality of magnetic regions having alternating magnetic directions such that magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generating device is enhanced on a first side of the magnetic field generating device and inhibited on a second side of the magnetic field generating device. The magnetic fluid chamber assembly defines a magnetic fluid chamber configured to receive magnetic fluid. The heat sink device includes a plurality of extending fins, and is thermally coupled to the magnetic fluid chamber assembly. Power electronic devices are also disclosed, wherein the magnetic fluid chamber may be configured as opened or closed.

Abstract: A second derivative of a second-order differential equation is calculated at a reference variable value. The second derivative is multiplied by an analytical small variable value, the first derivative at the reference variable value is added, and a result is output as a first derivative after an increment of the analytical small variable value. The first derivative after an increment of the analytical small variable value is multiplied by the analytical small variable value, a physical value at the reference variable value is added, and a result is output as a physical value after an increment of the analytical small variable value.

Abstract: A bearing residual life prediction method, a bearing residual life diagnostic apparatus and a bearing diagnostic system can be provided. The bearing diagnostic system 20 includes: an eddy current tester 11 that measures the impedance X of a certain portion of a bearing 24 before and after the use of the bearing; a bearing information transmitter 30 that transmits bearing information s1 containing the impedance X; and a bearing information receiver 31 that receives the information; a diagnostic section 12 that obtains the residual life information s2 of the bearing 24 based on the received impedance X; and a life information transmitter 36 that transmits the residual life information s2; and a life information receiver 40 that receives the information. Hence, the bearing used by the user can be inspected nondestructively, and the residual life of the bearing can be predicted.

Abstract: An antenna device is provided with a first connecting electrode, a first tunnel diode, a first antenna member and a fixed electrode. The first connecting electrode is configured to be connected to a fixed potential via a load. The first tunnel diode has a pair of electrodes. One of the electrodes of the first tunnel diode is connected to the first connecting electrode, and the other electrode of the first tunnel diode is connected to the first antenna member. The first antenna member has a conductive property and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the first antenna member is connected to the other electrode of the first tunnel diode. The fixed electrode is connected to the second portion of the first antenna member. The fixed electrode is configured to be connected to the fixed potential.

Abstract: A second derivative of a second-order differential equation is calculated at a reference variable value. The second derivative is multiplied by an analytical small variable value, the first derivative at the reference variable value is added, and a result is output as a first derivative after an increment of the analytical small variable value. The first derivative after an increment of the analytical small variable value is multiplied by the analytical small variable value, a physical value at the reference variable value is added, and a result is output as a physical value after an increment of the analytical small variable value.

Abstract: Manufacturing narrow-diameter hollow metal objects utilizing metals difficult to work plastically has been problematic with conventional manufacturing methods; the narrower the diameter the higher the manufacturing cost has been, and under some circumstances manufacturing has been impossible. A plurality of metal wires is worked into a twisted wire cluster, adjoining companion metal wires are brought into contact in planar contacting portions, and the cluster is made unitary by supplying an adhesive agent along the outer side, producing a hollow metal object possessing a uniform inner diameter and a clean inner surface.

Abstract: A method of purifying a recombinant fused protein characterized in that a recombinant fused protein, wherein a target protein has been fused with dockerin by genetic engineering techniques, is treated with a support having a cohesin domain immobilized thereon; and a method of producing a target protein characterized by comprising obtaining a recombinant fused protein having the target protein bound to dockerin with the use of an expression vector having a gene encoding the target protein and the dockerin inserted thereinto, subsequently purifying the recombinant fused protein by binding to a support having a cohesin domain immobilized thereon, and then eliminating the dockerin from the recombinant fused protein are disclosed. Using these methods, it becomes possible to provide an affinity purification technique with the use of specific binding whereby a high affinity and easy dissociation can be established without causing insolubilization or inactivation.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting the coating of a fluorescent substance on a plasma display panel includes an illumination device for irradiating UV light onto the fluorescent substance for causing the fluorescent substance to emit light, and an imaging device for picking up the emission of the fluorescent substance. A filter, that lets only light of certain wavelengths in accordance with light emission characteristics of the fluorescent substance pass, is arranged between the imaging device and the panel being inspected.

Abstract: Manufacturing narrow-diameter hollow metal objects utilizing metals difficult to work plastically has been problematic with conventional manufacturing methods; the narrower the diameter the higher the manufacturing cost has been, and under some circumstances manufacturing has been impossible. A plurality of metal wires is worked into a twisted wire cluster, adjoining companion metal wires are brought into contact in planar contacting portions, and the cluster is made unitary by supplying an adhesive means along the outer side, producing a hollow metal object possessing a uniform inner diameter and a clean inner surface.