Abstract: Sulfate ester modified cellulose nanofibers having an average fiber diameter in the range of 1 nm to 500 nm, and having sulfate ester modified hydroxyl groups on surfaces of the cellulose nanofibers. A method of producing cellulose nanofibers that are nanosized, that have a high crystallinity degree, and that have large aspect ratios, the method being a chemical method that does not require any physical pulverization, that is energy-saving, and that can be performed under mild reaction conditions. A method of producing modified cellulose nanofibers including modifying the surfaces of the cellulose nanofibers through esterification or urethanization. A method of producing cellulose nanofibers includes impregnating cellulose with a fibrillation solution containing dimethylsulfoxide, at least one carboxylic acid anhydride selected from acetic anhydride and propionic anhydride, and sulfuric acid to fibrillate the cellulose.

Abstract: A method of producing cellulose fine fibers that are nanosized, that have a high crystallinity degree, and that are less vulnerable to fiber shape damage, the method including impregnating cellulose with a fibrillation solution containing formic acid to fibrillate the cellulose without vigorous mechanical crushing. The method of producing cellulose fine fibers including impregnating the cellulose with formic acid, a high-concentration formic acid aqueous solution, or a solution containing, in an aprotic solvent having a donor number of 26 or more, formic acid or a high-concentration formic acid aqueous solution serving as a fibrillation solution to fibrillate the cellulose. In addition, a method of producing surface-modified cellulose fine fibers including impregnating the cellulose with the fibrillation solution to modify the surfaces of cellulose fine fibers while fibrillating the cellulose.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing fine cellulose fibers that are nanosized, that have a high crystallinity degree, and that are less vulnerable to fiber shape damage, the method including impregnating cellulose with a fibrillation solution to fibrillate the cellulose without mechanical crushing, and modifying the cellulose. The method of producing cellulose microfibrils of the present invention includes impregnating cellulose with a fibrillation solution containing a carboxylic acid vinyl ester or an aldehyde and an aprotic solvent having a donor number of 26 or more to fibrillate the cellulose. The aldehyde is at least one kind of aldehyde selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde represented by the following formula (1), paraformaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, perillaldehyde, vanillin, and glyoxal: R1—CHO??(1) where R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group.

Abstract: There is provided a betaine-based silicon compound which exhibits the effect of hydrophilizating and defogging a surface. The betaine-based silicon compound is represented by formula (1). X13-m(CH3)mSi—R1—(Y1—R2)n}o—N+(R3)p(R4)q—Y2COO?(1) {In the formula: X1 represents an alkoxy group with 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogen atom which may be identical to or different from one another; m represents 0 or 1; R1 represents an alkylene group with 1 to 5 carbon atoms; Y1 represents —NHCOO—, —NHCONH—, —S—, or —SO2—; n represents 0 or 1; R2 represents an alkylene group with 1 to 10 carbon atoms or —CH2CH2N+(CH3)(Y2COO?)CH2CH2OCH2CH2—; o represents 1, 2 or 3; R3 and R4 represent an alkyl group with 1 to 5 carbon atoms which may be identical to or different from one another; Y2 represents —CH2— or the like; p and q represent 0 or 1; provided that o+p+q equals 3.

Abstract: There is provided a solvent that can uniformly dissolve a polysaccharide within a short time period regardless of the crystal form of the polysaccharide and without requiring any special pretreatment. The solvent includes a tetraalkylammonium acetate represented by the below-indicated formula; and an aprotic polar solvent. A content of the aprotic polar solvent is 35 wt % or more. In the formula, R1, R2, R3, and R4 each independently represent an alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A predoping technique considered as highly practicable is an electrochemical method in which predoping is performed by assembling a battery such that an active material (electrode) and lithium are brought into direct contact with each other or short-circuited therebetween via an electric circuit, and by filling an electrolytic solution in the battery. However, in this case, much time is required, and there are problems such as the handling and the thickness accuracy of an extremely thin lithium metal foil that is not greater than 30 ?m thick. By mixing a lithium-dopable material and lithium metal together in the presence of a solvent, such problems can be solved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified metal oxide sol that has a large hydrophilizing effect and antistatic effect, can be produced at low cost and is capable of being a coating. Specifically disclosed is a modified metal oxide sol characterized by modification by a functional group represented by formula (1) at 0.55-5.5 mmol per 1 g of metal oxide sol. MOS(?O)2—R1—Si(CH3)n(—O—)3-n (1) {In the formula, M is a hydrogen ion, C1-4 alkyl group, metal ion or ammonium (NR24) group; Rl is a C1-10 alkylene group (may have urethane bonds or urea bonds in the main alkylene chain); R2 may be the same or different and is a C1-5 alkyl group or a hydrogen atom; and n represents 0 or 1}.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic/inorganic composite containing an inorganic phase dispersed in an organic polymer, the inorganic phase comprises one or more metal atoms that are coordinated to at least one rare earth metal atom via oxygen. The composite contains at least 5 mass % of rare earth metal. This rare earth metal is dispersed in the inorganic phase.

Abstract: There is provided a solvent that can uniformly dissolve a polysaccharide within a short time period regardless of the crystal form of the polysaccharide and without requiring any special pretreatment. The solvent includes a tetraalkylammonium acetate represented by the below-indicated formula; and an aprotic polar solvent. A content of the aprotic polar solvent is 35 wt % or more. [Chem. 1] In the formula, R1, R2, R3, and R4 each independently represent an alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified metal oxide sol that has a large hydrophilizing effect and antistatic effect, can be produced at low cost and is capable of being a coating. Specifically disclosed is a modified metal oxide sol characterized by modification by a functional group represented by formula (1) at 0.55-5.5 mmol per 1 g of metal oxide sol. MOS(?0)2—R1—Si(CH3)n(—O—)3-n (1) {In the formula, M is a hydrogen ion, C1-4 alkyl group, metal ion or ammonium (NR24) group; Rl is a C1-10 alkylene group (may have urethane bonds or urea bonds in the main alkylene chain); R2 may be the same or different and is a C1-5 alkyl group or a hydrogen atom; and n represents 0 or 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic/inorganic composite containing a rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal in which the aforementioned rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is doped at a high concentration, and control of quenching and optical transparency are assured thereby; and an optical amplifier, a light control optical element, and luminescent device utilizing the same. The organic/inorganic composite containing a rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is one in which at least one species of rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is dispersed in an organic polymer, with the aforementioned composite containing an optically transparent organic polymer and an inorganic dispersion phase comprising: (1) a rare earth metal and (2) another element coordinated thereto via an oxygen atom(s).

Abstract: The invention provides a non-aqueous secondary battery having positive and negative electrodes and non-aqueous electrolyte containing lithium salt which has an energy capacity of 30 Wh or more, a volume energy density of 180 Wh/l or higher, which battery has a flat shape and is superior in heat radiation characteristic, used safely and particularly preferably used for a energy storage system. The invention also provides a control method of the secondary battery.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic/inorganic composite containing a rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal in which the aforementioned rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is doped at a high concentration, and control of quenching and optical transparency are assured thereby; and an optical amplifier, a light control optical element, and luminescent device utilizing the same. The organic/inorganic composite containing a rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is one in which at least one species of rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is dispersed in an organic polymer, with the aforementioned composite containing an optically transparent organic polymer and an inorganic dispersion phase comprising: (1) a rare earth metal and (2) another element coordinated thereto via an oxygen atom(s).

Abstract: A nonaqueous lithium secondary battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein: 1) the positive electrode comprises a porous carbonaceous material whose BET specific surface area is at least 500 m2/g, or a mixture of a porous carbonaceous material whose BET specific surface area is at least 500 m2/g and a material capable of electrochemically occluding and releasing lithium; and 2) the negative electrode comprises a carbonaceous material whose BET specific surface area is 20 to 1000 m2/g.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic/inorganic composite containing a rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal in which the aforementioned rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is doped at a high concentration, and control of quenching and optical transparency are assured thereby; and an optical amplifier, a light control optical element, and luminescent device utilizing the same. The organic/inorganic composite containing a rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is one in which at least one species of rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is dispersed in an organic polymer, with the aforementioned composite containing an optically transparent organic polymer and an inorganic dispersion phase comprising: (1) a rare earth metal and (2) another element coordinated thereto via an oxygen atom(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a functional filler which is excellent in dispersibility or interaction with polylactic acid as a matrix polymer and can improve heat resistance, moldability and mechanical strength of the polylactic acid; and a resin composition containing the functional filler. The functional filler of the present invention is characterized in including a raw material filler and polylactic acid, wherein a surface or end the raw material filler is modified by the polylactic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic/inorganic composite containing a rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal in which the aforementioned rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is doped at a high concentration, and control of quenching and optical transparency are assured thereby; and an optical amplifier, a light control optical element, and luminescent device utilizing the same. The organic/inorganic composite containing a rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is one in which at least one species of rare earth metal or/and Period IV transition metal is dispersed in an organic polymer, with the aforementioned composite containing an optically transparent organic polymer and an inorganic dispersion phase comprising: (1) a rare earth metal and (2) another element coordinated thereto via an oxygen atom(s).

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition for using in combination with a photosensitizer comprises an active component selected from an active metal alkoxide represented by the formula (1) or a polycondensate thereof and a particle represented by the formula (2), (X)m-n-Mm-[(U1)p—(U2-Z)t]n??(1) P—[(Y)s—{(U1)p—(U2-Z)t}]k??(2) wherein, X shows a hydrogen, a halogen, an alkoxy group or an alkoxycarbonyl group, M shows a metal atom whose valence m is not less than 2, U1 shows a first connecting unit, U2 shows a second connecting unit and Z shows a group causing a difference in solubility by light exposure, P shows a fine particle carrier, Y shows a coupling residue, n shows an integer of not less than 1 and m>n, p shows 0 or 1, t shows 1 or 2, k shows an integer of not less than 1, and s shows 0 or 1).

Abstract: An element having certain superior piezoelectric characteristics at all times and of which process control in production of the element is relatively easy. In a piezoelectric element in which electrodes 6, 8 are arranged on both face sides of a piezoelectric film 7 respectively, the piezoelectric film is provided with an oxide layer 7a containing 0 or not more than 15 weight percent of Pb arranged on a face of the piezoelectric film, the face being in contact with the electrode, and the oxide layer being formed of a composite oxide expressed by a chemical formula ABO3 or of a solid solution of one or not less than two kinds of composite oxides respectively expressed by the chemical formula ABO3.