Abstract: A silver electrode joint having a high joint strength obtained by actively minimizing the particle size of a silver-zinc intermetallic compound at the solidification point. A joint obtained by joining an article to be joined, the joint including silver at least as the surface layer thereof, using a solder alloy which comprises 2-9 wt % of zinc, 0.0001-0.1 wt % of manganese and the balance consisting of tin, the solder joint having a joint interface wherein the particle size of a silver-zinc intermetallic compound, which is formed by silver being the surface layer of the article to be joined and zinc in the solder alloy, is 5 ?m or less.

Abstract: An infrared sensor, which achieves a low manufacturing cost, or has high sensitivity, or in which an increase in heat capacity is reduced, is provided. The infrared sensor includes a first infrared absorbing portion, an infrared sensing portion for sensing infrared rays based on infrared rays absorbed by the first infrared absorbing portion, and a plurality of protrusions including metal and disposed apart from each other on a surface of the first infrared absorbing portion. Since an absorption rate of infrared rays is improved, sensitivity can be improved, or an increase in heat capacity can be reduced.

Abstract: An infrared sensor, which achieves a low manufacturing cost, or has high sensitivity, or in which an increase in heat capacity is reduced, is provided. The infrared sensor includes a first infrared absorbing portion, an infrared sensing portion for sensing infrared rays based on infrared rays absorbed by the first infrared absorbing portion, and a plurality of protrusions including metal and disposed apart from each other on a surface of the first infrared absorbing portion. Since an absorption rate of infrared rays is improved, sensitivity can be improved, or an increase in heat capacity can be reduced.

Abstract: A silver electrode joint having a high joint strength obtained by actively minimizing the particle size of a silver-zinc intermetallic compound at the solidification point. A joint obtained by joining an article to be joined, the joint including silver at least as the surface layer thereof, using a solder alloy which comprises 2-9 wt % of zinc, 0.0001-0.1 wt % of manganese and the balance consisting of tin, the solder joint having a joint interface wherein the particle size of a silver-zinc intermetallic compound, which is formed by silver being the surface layer of the article to be joined and zinc in the solder alloy, is 5 ?m or less.

Abstract: An FFC 1 as a flat circuit body includes a plurality of flat-plate-shaped electrodes 41 arranged with gaps between them at an end of the FFC 1, and configured to contact terminal blades 321a of terminals 32 included in a mating connector. Further, the FFC 1 includes an electrode-insulating film 51 for covering positions which do not contact the terminal blades 321a on surfaces of the electrodes 41 when the electrodes 41 and the terminal blades 321a of the terminals 32 contact each other.

Abstract: Lipoxygenase-free soybean grains are mechanically pulverized into fine particles and then subjected to heat drying treatment with water vapor having a temperature in the range of 130 to 250° C. under atmospheric pressure to form lumps of soybean powder. The lumps are formed into granules having controlled sizes by placing the lumps in a space defined by two plates having a predetermined distance therebetween and having a plurality of parallel grooves formed in the surfaces. The plates are in a state of relative rotation. This method allows the production of soybean powder free from disagreeable odor and taste and the production of soybean milk from the soybean powder, with inexpensive equipment in a quick process.

Abstract: In a plated member (3) that has a pure Sn plating layer (2) of a lead-free material on a surface of a base material 1, the orientation indices of a (101) plane and a (112) plane of the pure Sn plating layer are increased to values higher than the orientation indices of the other crystal orientation planes.

Abstract: Lipoxygenase-free soybean grains are mechanically pulverized into fine particles and then subjected to heat drying treatment with water vapor having a temperature in the range of 130 to 250° C. under atmospheric pressure to form lumps of soybean powder. The lumps are formed into granules having controlled sizes by placing the lumps in a space defined by two plates having a predetermined distance therebetween and having a plurality of parallel grooves formed in the surfaces. The plates are in a state of relative rotation. This method allows the production of soybean powder free from disagreeable odor and taste and the production of soybean milk from the soybean powder, with inexpensive equipment in a quick process.

Abstract: A fuel adsorption member 16 is fixed to an inner surface of a housing 13 by fixing pins 14. A fuel vapor leaking from an intake system of an engine is adsorbed by an active carbon included in an adsorption sheet member of the fuel adsorption member 16. The fuel adsorption member 16 is arranged along an inner surface of the housing 13. Accordingly, when an engine is operated, the fuel adsorption member 16 can reduce a ventilation resistance without being adversely affecting an intake air E. Further, the fuel adsorption member 16 is fixed to an inner surface of the housing 13 in accordance with a swaging of the fixing pins 14. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a damage of the fuel adsorption member 16 caused by a vehicle vibration, a fluctuation of an intake pressure or the like, and a reduction of a fuel adsorbing function caused by a wear of the active carbon.

Abstract: BaAuGe, BaAuGaGe, BaPtGe, BaPdGe, BaPdGaGe, BaPdGaSi, BaPtGaSi, BaCuGaGe, and BaAgGaGe clathrate compounds, and thermoelectric conversion element comprising the clathrate compounds. Methods for producing thermoelectric conversion elements are also provided, comprising melting, heat-treating, particle-forming, and sintering processes.

Abstract: Lipoxygenase-free soybean grains are mechanically pulverized into fine particles and then subjected to heat drying treatment with water vapor having a temperature in the range of 130 to 250° C. under atmospheric pressure to form lumps of soybean powder. The lumps are formed into granules having controlled sizes by placing the lumps in a space defined by two plates having a predetermined distance therebetween and having a plurality of parallel grooves formed in the surfaces. The plates are in a state of relative rotation. This method allows the production of soybean powder free from disagreeable odor and taste and the production of soybean milk from the soybean powder, with inexpensive equipment in a quick process.

Abstract: A fuel adsorption member 16 is fixed to an inner surface of a housing 13 by fixing pins 14. A fuel vapor leaking from an intake system of an engine is adsorbed by an active carbon included in an adsorption sheet member of the fuel adsorption member 16. The fuel adsorption member 16 is arranged along an inner surface of the housing 13. Accordingly, when an engine is operated, the fuel adsorption member 16 can reduce a ventilation resistance without being adversely affecting an intake air E. Further, the fuel adsorption member 16 is fixed to an inner surface of the housing 13 in accordance with a swaging of the fixing pins 14. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a damage of the fuel adsorption member 16 caused by a vehicle vibration, a fluctuation of an intake pressure or the like, and a reduction of a fuel adsorbing function caused by a wear of the active carbon.

Abstract: Lipoxygenase-free soybean grains are mechanically pulverized into fine particles and then subjected to heat drying treatment with water vapor having a temperature in the range of 130 to 250° C. under atmospheric pressure to form lumps of soybean powder. The lumps are formed into granules having controlled sizes by placing the lumps in a space defined by two plates having a predetermined distance therebetween and having a plurality of parallel grooves formed in the surfaces. The plates are in a state of relative rotation. This method allows the production of soybean powder free from disagreeable odor and taste and the production of soybean milk from the soybean powder, with inexpensive equipment in a quick process.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline organopolysiloxane is provided having the general formula:R.sub.a (A).sub.b (B).sub.c SiO.sub.(4-a-b-c)/2wherein R is independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon group having i to 4 carbon atoms, and phenyl group, A is a group of the formula: ##STR1## wherein m, n, and x are integers in the range: m.gtoreq.3, n.gtoreq.2, 5.ltoreq.m+nx.ltoreq.15, x=1 or 2, B is an organic chromophore group having an absorption peak in the visible spectrum, a, b, and c are numbers in the range: 1.ltoreq.a<2, 0<b+c.ltoreq.1, 0.45.ltoreq.b(b+c).ltoreq.0.95, and 1<a+b+c.ltoreq.3. This organopolysiloxane as a high molecular weight liquid crystal is combined with a low molecular weight liquid crystal to form a liquid crystal composition.