Abstract: A composite chromium plating film containing hard particles in network-shaped microcracks, a surface-occupying ratio of the microcracks being 10 to 20% by area, a distribution density of the microcracks being 1,200 to 2,500/cm, and the amount of the above hard particles being 1 to 15% by mass per 100% by mass of the above entire plating film. This composite chromium plating film has excellent wear resistance and scuffing resistance with small attacking ability to a mating member.

Abstract: A piston ring for internal combustion engines has a coating film comprising a heat-resistant material and a solid lubricant dispersed therein on at least one side surface, the heat-resistant material comprising at least one of a polyamideimide-silicon dioxide hybrid material and a polyimide-silicon dioxide hybrid material having high heat resistance and mechanical strength and low hygroscopicity.

Abstract: A low-cost solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell unit including a metal separator is provided. The cell unit has a structure that may have high corrosion resistance and durability. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell unit includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of gas-diffusible electrodes fixed at opposing surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of gas-diffusible porous conductive graphite collectors fixed in contact with the outer sides of the electrodes; a pair of aluminum separators for introducing a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas to the electrodes separately from one another, and porous conductive buffer layers provided between the separator and the graphite collector, and having flexibility and air permeability. The separator surfaces in contact with the buffer layers are each provided with a conductive coating having a thickness in the range from 0.01 ?m to 20 ?m.

Abstract: A method for supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell comprising (a) a medium-reducing step, which comprises reforming a liquid fuel to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and supplying the reformed gas to a hydrogen-purifying unit containing a carbon monoxide-oxidizing catalyst and a hydrogen-generating medium to reduce the hydrogen-generating medium and oxidize the carbon monoxide; and (b) a medium-oxidizing step, which comprises supplying steam to a hydrogen-purifying unit containing a carbon monoxide-oxidizing catalyst and a hydrogen-generating medium, to generate hydrogen while oxidizing the hydrogen-generating medium, the medium-reducing step and the medium-oxidizing step being conducted alternately.

Abstract: A first sliding member of the present invention is made of a composition comprising 10-50% by weight of carbon fibers and 2-30% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer, the balance being substantially a polyphenylene sulfide resin, at least in a sliding surface portion. A second sliding member of the present invention is made of a composition comprising 10-50% by weight of glass fibers and 2-30% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer, the balance being substantially a polyphenylene sulfide resin, at least in a sliding surface portion.

Abstract: A bipolar current collector separator for a fuel cell composed of a metal plate having flow channels and contact faces that come into contact with electrodes or collectors, wherein a corrosion-resistant layer such as an anodized aluminum layer and a heat-resistant polymer layer is disposed on each of the flow channels.

Abstract: An amorphous hard carbon film has low friction coefficient from the beginning of sliding, when the metal oxide is contained in the film. The adhesion of the film to the substrate is also improved due to the low temperature treatment of RF plasma enhanced CVD method. This film can be applied to many sliding members, e.g., a piston ring, a vane of compressor and a plunger of fuel injection pump, used under severe condition.

Abstract: An iron-based sintered alloy, which consists of from 0.5 to 5% of Ni, from 0.5 to 4% of Cr, from 0.5 to 2% of C, the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, and which has a micro-structure comprising an iron-based matrix containing Ni and a part of Cr as solutes and carbides containing the other part of Cr and dispersed in the matrix. The iron-based sintered alloy is appropriate for use as a valve seat of an internal combustion engine. Wear resistance is maintained at a moderate level while the additive amount of alloying elements is decreased to attain low cost.

Abstract: A gas-detecting element comprising an oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte substrate, a sensing electrode fixed onto said solid electrolyte substrate and active with a detection object gas and oxygen, and a reference electrode fixed onto said solid electrolyte substrate and active with at least oxygen, for detecting potential difference between the sensing electrode and the reference electrode to determine the concentration of the detection object gas, the sensing electrode and/or the reference electrode being covered by an electrode-coating layer made of an oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte, and the electrode-coating layer having a portion bonded to the solid electrolyte substrate directly or via an electrode underlayer made of an oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flame-retardant electromagnetic wave absorber that exhibits excellent formability and electromagnetic wave-absorbing properties, and can be easily assembled and constructed. The electromagnetic wave absorber comprises a wave-absorbing body and a base plate supporting the bottom thereof, wherein the wave-absorbing body is formed in a pyramid shape by fitting polygonal wave-absorbing plates into each other.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a NOx sensor for accurately detecting the total concentration of nitrogen oxides in a measured gas without being affected by interference gases. The sensor comprises a gas treatment chamber 5 arranged at the prior stage of the gas detection chamber 3, an inorganic porous member 25 loaded in the gas treatment chamber, and a NOx conversion pumping cell 14, 15 and/or an oxygen supplying pumping cell which supplies oxygen into the gas treatment chamber. When the measured gas is introduced in the gas treatment chamber, the interference gases contained in the measured gas are effectively oxidized by the supplied oxygen under the assistance of the catalytic activity of inorganic porous member. The total amount of the nitrogen oxides is measured in the gas detection chamber while NOx in the measured gas are converted into a single component (NO2 or NO) by the NOx conversion pumping cell after the interference gases are oxidized.

Abstract: A radio wave absorber unit includes two or more molded bodies in a pyramid or wedge shape whose radius at the tip end is from 0.5 mm to 7.5 mm and a base. A radius at the trough between adjacent molded bodies is 7.5 mm or less. A unit including molded bodies and the base is integrally formed from propylene-based conductive expanded beads. The bases of adjacent units are connected by fitting their recessed and raised portions to each other. The expanded bead size is in the range from 2 mm to 10 mm, and beads with two or more different bead diameters can be used. A hollow molded body can be formed by providing a hollow structure inside.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a gas sensing device, an oxygen pumping cell, and a gas detection apparatus using the same for detecting lower ranges of gas concentration with high accuracy and stability. An under layer made of oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte was formed between an electrolyte substrate and a sensing electrode, a conversion electrode or a gas treatment electrode. This allows the physical and chemical adhesion between these electrodes and the electrolyte substrate, thereby improving the sensing properties and stability.

Abstract: A gas-detecting element comprising an oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte substrate, a sensing electrode fixed onto said solid electrolyte substrate and active with a detection object gas and oxygen, and a reference electrode fixed onto said solid electrolyte substrate and active with at least oxygen, for detecting potential difference between the sensing electrode and the reference electrode to determine the concentration of the detection object gas, the sensing electrode and/or the reference electrode being covered by an electrode-coating layer made of an oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte, and the electrode-coating layer having a portion bonded to the solid electrolyte substrate directly or via an electrode underlayer made of an oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A first sliding member of the present invention is made of a composition comprising 10-50% by weight of carbon fibers and 2-30% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer, the balance being substantially a polyphenylene sulfide resin, at least in a sliding surface portion. A second sliding member of the present invention is made of a composition comprising 10-50% by weight of glass fibers and 2-30% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer, the balance being substantially a polyphenylene sulfide resin, at least in a sliding surface portion.

Abstract: The steel for nitriding consists of 0.5 to 1.0% of C, 1.0% or less of Si, 0.3 to 1.0% of Mn, 5.0 to 12.0% of Cr, 0.5 to 2.0% of Mo, 0.1 to 0.3% of V, the balance being Fe and exhibits improved wear-resistance and fatigue-strength.

Abstract: A gas sensor for measuring concentration of a gas component in a measured gas, including a solid electrolytic substrate and at least two electrodes fixed to the substrate. At least a first electrode of the electrodes is disposed in the environment of the measurement gas, at least one of electrodes is polarized by applying a bias current or bias voltage, and a change in the potential of the polarized electrode is measured to thereby measure the concentration of the target gas.

Abstract: A combined gas sensor of the invention is equipped with a second oxygen sensing electrode 5 active only to oxygen, which is disposed on a solid electrolyte substrate 3a such that it is directly exposed to detection gases. Sensor disorder is detected by measuring an electromotive force (signal output 2) generated between a reference electrode 7 and the second oxygen sensing electrode 5 as an oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas atmosphere, and comparing and judging the detected result with a signal output 1 corresponding to an electromotive force between a first oxygen sensing electrode 4 and the sit reference electrode 7, or with a signal output of an oxygen pump current.

Abstract: A nitrogen oxide gas sensor wherein an alloy electrode of platinum and rhodium or a cermet electrode of platinum, rhodium, and zirconia or of a rhodium alloy and zirconia is used as the gas sensing electrode. The electrode of the sensor is suitable for measuring nitrogen oxide such as NO and NO2 in an exhaust gas.

Abstract: A composite electromagnetic wave absorber capable of restricting the height of a pyramidal electromagnetic wave absorber and being applied to a compact anechoic chamber, wherein an upper absorber (3) is fabricated by dispersing ferrite powder in a general-purpose resin having a permittivity of not higher than 4.9.