Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device including a substrate made of a lithium tetraborate single crystal (Li.sub.2 B.sub.4 O.sub.7) whose cut and propagating direction are determined such that Euler cut angles (.psi., .theta., .phi.) are .psi.=+5.degree..about.-5.degree., .theta.=9.degree..about.29.degree. and 32.degree..about.86.degree. and .phi.=85.degree..about.95.degree., and an electrode structure formed on a surface of the substrate to realize a natural single-phase unidirectional transducer property together with an anisotropy of said substrate. A lithium tetraborate substrate having cut angles of (0.degree., 51.degree., 90.degree.) shows an ideal NSPUDT and a lithium tetraborate substrate having cut angles of (0.degree., 78.degree., 90.degree.) reveals a zero temperature coefficient of delay. A directionality reversed electrode structure or a directionality corrected electrode structure may be advantageously used.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite substrate and the composite substrate manufactured thereby wherein surfaces of first and second substrates having different thermal expansion coefficients are mirror finished and layered on each other. A first heat treatment is applied after which a part of the second substrate is removed to a depth sufficient to expose the first substrate. A final second heat treatment directly bonds the substrates.

Abstract: A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet including a substrate sheet and a colorant-receptive layer, the substrate sheet having microvoids and having been formed by extruding a composition including a polyester resin and a polyolefin resin and biaxially stretching the resultant extrudate, the number of microvoids in the section of the substrate sheet being 3.7.times.10.sup.4 to 2.2.times.10.sup.5 /mm.sup.2. Additionally, a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet including a substrate and a colorant-receptive layer, the substrate including a plastic film having microvoids, the fractal dimension of the microvoids being not less than 1.45. Further, a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet including a substrate and, provided thereon in the following order, an adhesive layer composed mainly of a hydrophilic resin, a white opaque layer and a colorant-receptive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical recording medium which has excellent scratch resistance and resistance to cracking derived from warpage and bending. It comprises a card substrate; and, laminated on the card substrate, an optical recording member comprising a laminate of a transparent protective layer and an optical recording material layer, wherein a specific surface hard layer is provided on the transparent protective layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for packaging fresh plants, by which the freshness of the fresh plants can be retained from the time they are shipped by producers, until the time they are consumed by consumers. By controlling the water vapor permeability, and oxygen and carbonic acid gas transmission rates of a film, a package of fresh plant suitable for non-airtight or airtight packaging, a packaging material useful for such a package, and a method for retaining the freshness of fresh plants are provided.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet is provided which can eliminate the need to use any apparatus, such as equipment for vapor deposition, and to provide any anchor layer for vapor deposition and can provide a good print having high brightness even on paper having low smoothness. The thermal transfer sheet comprises: a substrate sheet; and a hot-melt ink layer provided on at least one surface of the substrate sheet, the hot-melt layer containing a metallic powder having such a particle geometry that the shape is tabular, the diameter is from 8 to 20 .mu.m and the thickness is from 0.01 to 5 .mu.m.

Abstract: A sensor element for detecting solid particles in a fluid includes: a detecting unit including a piezoelectric film consisting essentially of a ceramic material, a first electrode coated onto at least a portion of the outer surface of the piezoelectric film, and a second electrode coated onto at least a portion of the inner surface of the piezoelectric film; a vibrating portion consisting essentially of a second ceramic material, the detecting unit being placed on the vibrating portion so that the second electrode is coated onto at least a portion of the vibrating portion; and a fixing portion for fixing the may vibrate portion so that the vibrating portion vibrates. At least one of the detecting unit and the vibrating portion contacts-with a solid particle in the fluid so that the piezoelectric film converts the vibration into an electric signal. A particle sensor includes the sensor element. The sensor element and the particle sensor are excellent in particle detection precision and durability at low cost.

Abstract: A compressor for a refrigeration machine is provided without any problems of reduction in the life of a thrust bearing structure even when a substitutive coolant not containing any chlorine is used. In the compressor for a refrigeration machine having a thrust bearing made of steel for supporting a thrust load applied to a drive shaft, a thrust bearing surface made of a material different from that of the drive shaft is formed in the thrust bearing by means of a surface treatment. Alternatively a washer defining the thrust bearing surface may be surface treated to provide a material different from that of the drive shaft. The washer may also be made of a material different from that of the drive shaft. According to the the present invention, even when a boundary lubricating state is produced between the drive shaft and the thrust bearing surface sticking is prevented.

Abstract: A column for low pressure-high speed liquid chromatography, including a column body being made of a transparent or translucent plastic and having a column chamber, said column body having one end opened and the other provided with an outflow opening, a pair of upstream and downstream filters for shutting a granular filler inside said column chamber, and a head portion being made of a plastic and detachably being fitted to said one open end of the column body and having an inflow through opening communicating with interior of said column body. A column device includes the column and a method for using the column device are also disclosed for low pressure-high speed liquid chromatography.

Abstract: A filtering device, connected between an electrical power supply source and a load, comprises an active filter connected to the source and to the load, and a passive filter connected to the load. A voltage, generated between two terminals of the active filter, is monitored by first and second circuits. The first circuit receives a signal representative of a current, and monitors the voltage according to the signal representative of the current on input of the filtering device and to a first coefficient. The second circuit receives a signal representative of a voltage, and monitors the voltage according to the voltage signal and to a second coefficient. The first and second coefficients have values variable according to the frequency.

Abstract: A beta-alumina solid electrolyte for use in a sodium-sulfur battery is composed of beta-alumina crystals having a degree of orientation toward the C axis thereof, of 0.2-0.4 and an aspect ratio of 4.0 or less. The beta-alumina solid electrolyte is composed of the beta-alumina crystals having a degree of orientation toward the C axis thereof, of 0.2-0.4 and has such a particle diameter distribution that the average particle diameter is 3 .mu.m or less, the proportion of the particles having a particle diameter of 5 .mu.m or less is 90% or more, and the maximum particle diameter is 300 .mu.m or less. A process for producing a beta-alumina solid electrolyte using an alumina source material, a magnesium source material and a sodium source material, uses a magnesium-aluminum spinel as the magnesium source material and subjects all materials to mixing, granulation, molding and firing to obtain a beta-alumina solid electrolyte without subjecting the materials to calcination.

Abstract: The chairs or the cabins of an overhead cable transport installation are driven on a transfer rail in a station by means of friction sheaves staggered along the travel circuit and interconnected by a belt drive arrangement. The rotational movement of the friction sheaves is derived from a cable support sheave by means of a movement take up module, having a girder like box secured adjacent to the girder which supports the friction sheaves.

Abstract: A fluid-filled damping device wherein a center shaft member and an outer cylindrical member are elastically connected by first and second elastic end walls and an elastic intermediate wall interposed between the end walls. The first elastic end wall has two recesses opposed to each other in a first diametric direction of the center shaft member, and cooperates with the elastic intermediate wall and the outer cylindrical member to define a first fluid chamber. The intermediate wall cooperates with the second elastic end wall and two partition blocks to define a first and a second pocket which are opposed to each other in the first diametric direction. The two partition blocks are interposed between the intermediate and second end walls and opposed to each other in a second diametric direction perpendicular to the first diametric direction. The two pockets are closed by the outer cylindrical member to provide a second and a third fluid chambers communicating with the first fluid chamber.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator including a ceramic substrate, and at least one piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator unit formed on at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate, each piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator unit having a first electrode film, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film and a second electrode film which are laminated in the order of description, with the piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator unit formed on the substrate by heat treatment.

Abstract: A 2-(unsubstituted or substituted) (benzyloxy or phenoxy)-4-substituted-6-(meta-substituted phenoxy)pyridine represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or cyano; each X, which may be identical or different if n is greater than 1, represents a halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkythio, C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenyloxy, or C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkynyloxy;Y represents trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or trifluoromethylthio;m represents an integer of 0 or 1; andn represents an integer of 0 to 5, which is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive element including a thin ceramic substrate, and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive portion formed on the ceramic substrate by a film forming technique without an adhesive agent, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive portion consisting essentially of a plurality of electrodes and at least one piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer. The ceramic substrate is formed of a material which includes as a major component zirconia having a crystal phase that is stabilized by addition of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: yttrium oxide, ytterbium oxide, cerium oxide, calcium oxide and magnesium oxide.

Abstract: A whisk with a plurality of loops (3) at one end thereof having a hollow handle body (1) flaring toward the loops (3), and receiving in the flared region a correspondingly shaped insert (2) which can be rigidly joined to said body, said insert cooperating with the body (1) to ensure tight affixation of loops (3). The body (1)-insert (2) assembly including affixed loops (3) is covered by a peripheral plastic layer (6).

Abstract: A ceramic heater includes a substrate made of aluminum nitride, a resistive heating element buried in the substrate and made of a metal having a high melting point, and terminals electrically connected to the resistive heating element and buried in said substrate. The terminals are made of a metal having a high melting point and a coefficient of thermal expansion not smaller than that of the substrate. The metal of the resistive heating element has a coefficient of thermal expansion not smaller than that of the substrate. The coefficient of thermal expansion of each of the terminals and the resistive heating element is in a range from 5.0.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. to 8.3.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C.

Abstract: A method for producing a lead frame having outer leads and inner leads, for use in constructing a resin-sealed semiconductor package comprises etching processes for etching a blank. A first resist pattern having a first opening and a second resist pattern having second openings are formed on the first and the second major surfaces of a blank. The first and the second major surfaces of the blank are etched through the first and the second resist pattern by a first etching process using a first etchant to form a first recess corresponding to the first opening and second recesses corresponding to the second recesses in the first and the second major surfaces, respectively. The first recess is filled up with an etch-resistant layer. The second major surface is etched through the second resist pattern by a second etching process using a second etchant so that portions of the blank corresponding to the second openings of the second resist pattern are etched through to form the tips of the inner leads.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet including: a substrate film, a heat-transferable colorant layer provided on one side of the substrate film, and a heat-resistant slip layer, provided on the other side of the substrate film. The slip layer includes a binder resin and a reaction product between a polyisocyanate and a straight-chain aliphatic hydrocarbon with 8 or more carbon atoms having, at its one end, a group reactive with an isocyanate group.