Abstract: A conductor includes (i) a substrate, (ii) a transparent conductive film formed on the substrate and including a silver nanowire, (iii) a metal film formed over the transparent conductive film such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the transparent conductive film, and (iv) a buffer film provided between the transparent conductive film and the metal film, the buffer film having adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metal film, and not impeding conductivity between the transparent conductive film and the metal film. Preferably, the buffer film is formed of an organic material having respective functional groups capable of bonding to the transparent conductive film and the metal film.

Abstract: A conductor includes: a transparent conductive film which is formed on a transparent substrate and includes a silver nanowire; and a metal film of which at least a portion is formed to overlap the transparent conductive film, in which a portion in which the transparent conductive film and the metal film overlap each other includes a buffer film which has adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metal film and does not impede conduction between the transparent conductive film and the metal film. Preferably, the buffer film is, for example, an ITO film, and at this time, an upper surface of the transparent conductive film is a reverse-sputtered surface.

Abstract: A conductor includes (i) a substrate, (ii) a transparent conductive film formed on the substrate and including a silver nanowire, (iii) a metal film formed over the transparent conductive film such that at least a portion thereof overlaps the transparent conductive film, and (iv) a buffer film provided between the transparent conductive film and the metal film, the buffer film having adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metal film, and not impeding conductivity between the transparent conductive film and the metal film. Preferably, the buffer film is formed of an organic material having respective functional groups capable of bonding to the transparent conductive film and the metal film.

Abstract: A conductor includes: a transparent conductive film which is formed on a transparent substrate and includes a silver nanowire; and a metal film of which at least a portion is formed to overlap the transparent conductive film, in which a portion in which the transparent conductive film and the metal film overlap each other includes a buffer film which has adhesion to each of the transparent conductive film and the metal film and does not impede conduction between the transparent conductive film and the metal film. Preferably, the buffer film is, for example, an ITO film, and at this time, an upper surface of the transparent conductive film is a reverse-sputtered surface.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a laminate of a lower electrode layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and an upper transparent electrode layer. In the light emitting device, an auxiliary electrode layer is formed of colloidal nano-sized particles of a conductive metal between the lower electrode layer and the organic light-emitting layer. The auxiliary electrode layer causes the lower electrode layer to be flat and the light emitting efficient to be improved. A light emitting device having a structure in which a transparent electrode layer is formed as the lower electrode layer, and an organic light-emitting layer, an auxiliary electrode layer, and an upper electrode layer are sequentially formed thereon has the same effects. When glass is produced by a sol-gel method using metal alkoxide and the light emitting device is sealed by the glass, it is possible to extend the light emitting period.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a laminate of a lower electrode layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and an upper transparent electrode layer. In the light emitting device, an auxiliary electrode layer is formed of colloidal nano-sized particles of a conductive metal between the lower electrode layer and the organic light-emitting layer. The auxiliary electrode layer causes the lower electrode layer to be flat and the light emitting efficient to be improved. A light emitting device having a structure in which a transparent electrode layer is formed as the lower electrode layer, and an organic light-emitting layer, an auxiliary electrode layer, and an upper electrode layer are sequentially formed thereon has the same effects. When glass is produced by a sol-gel method using metal alkoxide and the light emitting device is sealed by the glass, it is possible to extend the light emitting period.

Abstract: A light emitting device and a producing method thereof are provided. The light emitting device is configured such that a transparent electrode layer, an organic light emitting layer and a counter electrode layer are laminated in this order on a transparent substrate, in which the transparent electrode layer is formed of mesh-like metal material and a transparent conductive polymer. The producing method includes: (a) printing a solution in which metal particles are dispersed in a solvent in a mesh shape on a transparent substrate so as to form a mesh-like metal layer on the transparent substrate; (b) forming a transparent conductive polymer layer on the mesh-like metal layer; (c) forming an organic light emitting layer on the transparent conductive polymer layer; and (d) forming a counter electrode layer on the organic light emitting layer.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a laminate of a lower electrode layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and an upper transparent electrode layer. In the light emitting device, an auxiliary electrode layer is formed of colloidal nano-sized particles of a conductive metal between the lower electrode layer and the organic light-emitting layer. The auxiliary electrode layer causes the lower electrode layer to be flat and the light emitting efficient to be improved. A light emitting device having a structure in which a transparent electrode layer is formed as the lower electrode layer, and an organic light-emitting layer, an auxiliary electrode layer, and an upper electrode layer are sequentially formed thereon has the same effects. When glass is produced by a sol-gel method using metal alkoxide and the light emitting device is sealed by the glass, it is possible to extend the light emitting period.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a laminate of a lower electrode layer, an organic light-emitting layer, and an upper transparent electrode layer. In the light emitting device, an auxiliary electrode layer is formed of colloidal nano-sized particles of a conductive metal between the lower electrode layer and the organic light-emitting layer. The auxiliary electrode layer causes the lower electrode layer to be flat and the light emitting efficient to be improved. A light emitting device having a structure in which a transparent electrode layer is formed as the lower electrode layer, and an organic light-emitting layer, an auxiliary electrode layer, and an upper electrode layer are sequentially formed thereon has the same effects. When glass is produced by a sol-gel method using metal alkoxide and the light emitting device is sealed by the glass, it is possible to extend the light emitting period.

Abstract: A multi-gradation recording method comprising the steps of: providing a thermal transfer recording medium comprising a substrate, a release layer, a first ink layer and a second ink layer provided in this order on the substrate, and carrying out a gradation recording using the thermal transfer recording medium, the step of carrying out a gradation recording comprising: (a) in the case of recording in a middle density/high density region, carrying out a gradation expression based on an area gradation expression by transferring the first ink layer and the second ink layer together, and (b) in the case of recording in a low density region, carrying out a gradation expression by transferring only the second ink layer by causing a cohesive failure in the second ink layer, thereby changing the area of transferred ink per one dot and the thickness of transferred ink dots.

Abstract: A color thermal transfer recording medium for forming a multi-color image by superimposing printing of a plurality of different color inks wherein transfer layers corresponding to a plurality of colors to be superimposed are provided on separate substrates or on a single substrate in a side-by-side relation, the transfer layers each comprising at least a release layer, a color ink layer and an adhesive layer stacked in this order from the substrate side, the release layer comprising a wax material as a main component by weight, the adhesive layer comprising a binder comprising a thermoplastic resin as a main component by weight and particles dispersed in the binder, wherein the thickness d1 of a release layer for a first color; the thickness d2 of a color ink layer for a second color; the thickness d3 of an adhesive layer for a second color; and the average particle size R of the particles contained in the adhesive layer for the second color satisfy the following relation: (d1+d2+d3)×2>R&g

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a printed image with metallic luster of high level with superior transferability according to a thermal transfer mechanism is disclosed which comprises a foundation, and provided on one side of the foundation, a laminate transfer layer comprising at least a release layer, a heat-resistant layer for metal deposition, a metal deposition layer and an adhesive layer in this order from the foundation side, the release layer having a thickness of 0.05 to 0.50 &mgr;m and a softening point not lower than 100° C., the release layer being a substantially transparent layer consisting essentially of a resin, and the peel strength of the laminate transfer layer from the foundation according to T-mode peeling being not larger than 50 gf/12.7 mm.

Abstract: A color thermal transfer recording medium for forming a multi-color image by superimposing printing of a plurality of different color inks wherein transfer layers corresponding to a plurality of colors to be superimposed are provided on separate substrates or on a single substrate in a side-by-side relation, the transfer layers each comprising at least a release layer, a color ink layer and an adhesive layer stacked in this order from the substrate side, the release layer comprising a wax material as a main component by weight, the adhesive layer comprising a binder comprising a thermoplastic resin as a main component by weight and particles dispersed in the binder, wherein the thickness d1 of a release layer for a first color; the thickness d2 of a color ink layer for a second color; the thickness d3 of an adhesive layer for a second color; and the average particle size R of the particles contained in the adhesive layer for the second color satisfy the following relation:

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming an image having both metallic luster and unevenness by thermal transfer. A ribbon A having a thermal transfer layer is used to selectively transfer at least once the thermal transfer layer onto an image receiving member to form a convex portion having a thickness of 3.0 &mgr;m or more, and a ribbon B having a thermal transfer layer containing a metallized layer is used to selectively transfer the thermal transfer layer containing the metallized layer onto the convex portion to form an image having both metallic luster and unevenness. The thickness of the thermal transfer layer of the ribbon B is 0.5 &mgr;m to 3.0 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium comprising a support, and at least a heat-meltable release layer and a colored ink layer capable of being softened with heat stacked in this order on the support, the release layer comprising a wax as a main ingredient, and the release layer having a melting point of not less than 85° C., a heat of fusion of not more than 140 mJ/mg, and a melt viscosity of not more than 50 cps/120° C.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a color image by superimposingly transferring plural different color inks, comprising a foundation and a color ink layer provided on the foundation, and a release layer comprising a wax interposed between the foundation and the color ink layer, wherein the thickness d1 of the release layer for a first color and the thickness d2 of the release layer for a second color satisfy the relationship represented by formula (I): d1<d2<2.0 d1.

Abstract: A multi-gradation recording method comprising the steps of: providing a thermal transfer recording medium comprising a substrate, and a release layer, a first ink layer and a second ink layer provided in this order on the substrate, and carrying out a gradation recording using the thermal transfer recording medium, the step of carrying out a gradation recording comprising: (a) in case of recording in a middle density/high density region, carrying out a gradation expression based on an area gradation expression by transferring the first ink layer and the second ink layer together, and (b) in case of recording in a low density region, carrying out a gradation expression by transferring only the second ink layer by causing a cohesive failure in the second ink layer, thereby changing the area of transferred ink per one dot and the thickness of transferred ink dots.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a printed image with metallic luster of high level with superior transferability according to a thermal transfer mechanism is disclosed which comprises a foundation, and provided on one side of the foundation, a laminate transfer layer comprising at least a release layer, a heat-resistant layer for metal deposition, a metal deposition layer and an adhesive layer in this order from the foundation side, the release layer having a thickness of 0.05 to 0.50 &mgr;m and a softening point not lower than 100° C., the release layer being a substantially transparent layer consisting essentially of a resin, and the peel strength of the laminate transfer layer from the foundation according to T-mode peeling being not larger than 50 gf/12.7 mm.

Abstract: An ink ribbon assembly for use in a thermal transfer printer includes a plurality of ink ribbons 17a, 17b and 17c which has at least one ink ribbon 17c less influence on an outcome the printing accuracy is shorter in length than the other ink ribbons 17a and 17b. The shorter ink ribbon has a terminal end mark 60 formed at its terminal end. At the time point when the end of the shorter ink ribbon is detected in the middle of the printing of one printing area, the other ink ribbons have finished the printing of such printing area, because they are longer than the ink ribbon 17c, and thus, joints cannot be produced in the printing with the longer ink ribbons.