Abstract: An optic fiber adaptor includes two flexible engaging members and two positioning walls cooperating with one another to define an insertion slot. Each engaging member has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface disposed behind the first inclined surface. A distance between the first inclined surfaces of the engaging members decreases rearwardly so as to facilitate pushing of a casing body of a ferrule assembly into the insertion slot. A distance between the second inclined surfaces of the engaging members decreases forwardly so as to facilitate pulling of the casing body out of the insertion slot. An optic fiber connecting device having the optic fiber adaptor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material includes a parent phase in which an MgSiSn alloy is a main component, a void formed in the parent phase, and a silicon layer that is formed on at least a wall surface of the void and that includes silicon as a main component. The thermoelectric material further includes MgO in an amount of 1.0 wt. % or more and 20.0 wt. % or less. The silicon layer includes amorphous Si, or amorphous Si and nanosized Si crystals, and the parent phase includes a region in which the composition ratio of the Si of the chemical composition of the MgSiSn alloy is higher than in the other regions and a region in which the composition ratio of the Sn of the chemical composition of the MgSiSn alloy is higher than in the other regions. With these configurations, the thermoelectric material realizes both lower thermal conductivity and lower electrical resistivity.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material contains as a major ingredient a magnesium silicon alloy, a magnesium silicon tin alloy, a silicon or a silicon germanium alloy, and includes a porous body with a large number of pores.