Abstract: Electro-conductive fibers comprise synthetic fibers and an electro-conductive layer containing carbon nanotubes and covering a surface of the synthetic fibers, and the coverage of the electro-conductive layer relative to the whole surface of the synthetic fibers is not less than 60% (particularly not less than 90%). The electric resistance value of the electro-conductive fibers ranges from 1×10?2 to 1×1010 ?/cm, and the standard deviation of the logarithm of the electric resistance value is less than 1.0. The thickness of the electro-conductive layer ranges from 0.1 to 5 ?m, and the ratio of the carbon nanotubes may be 0.1 to 50 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the synthetic fibers. The electro-conductive layer may further contain a binder. The electro-conductive fibers may be produced by immersing the synthetic fibers in a dispersion with vibrating the synthetic fibers to form the electro-conductive layer adhered to the surface of the synthetic fibers.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel strain that is capable of effectively inhibiting the growth of microorganisms such as fungi and Staphylococcus aureus, is safe, and does not influence the flavor and taste of foods. The present invention relates to a strain of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis WB1006 (FERMABP-11246), and also relates to a food produced with the use of the strain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a random-number generating apparatus and method for generating physical random numbers in accordance with noises randomly generated by a noise generating element, and allows for generating true random numbers at a high speed and uniformizing the generation frequency of each random number value, even in a simplified circuit configuration. The random-number generating apparatus is operable to amplify a waveform based on thermal noises generated in a thermal-noise generating element, and generate a random pulse at the time when the amplified output signal exceeds a given threshold from the state of being less than the threshold. The random-number generating apparatus is also provided with a reference-pulse generator for generating a reference pulse having a constant period, and a timer for measuring a time interval between the reference pulse and the random pulse. The measured value in the timer is output as a random number value.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel strain that is capable of effectively inhibiting the growth of microorganisms such as fungi and Staphylococcus aureus, is safe, and does not influence the flavor and taste of foods. The present invention relates to a strain of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis WB1006 (FERM ABP-11246), and also relates to a food produced with the use of the strain.

Abstract: Electro-conductive fibers comprise synthetic fibers and an electro-conductive layer containing carbon nanotubes and covering a surface of the synthetic fibers, and the coverage of the electro-conductive layer relative to the whole surface of the synthetic fibers is not less than 60% (particularly not less than 90%). The electric resistance value of the electro-conductive fibers ranges from 1×10?2 to 1×1010 ?/cm, and the standard deviation of the logarithm of the electric resistance value is less than 1.0. The thickness of the electro-conductive layer ranges from 0.1 to 5 ?m, and the ratio of the carbon nanotubes may be 0.1 to 50 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the synthetic fibers. The electro-conductive layer may further contain a binder. The electro-conductive fibers may be produced by immersing the synthetic fibers in a dispersion with vibrating the synthetic fibers to form the electro-conductive layer adhered to the surface of the synthetic fibers.

Abstract: An composite material is disclosed, which includes carbon fibrous structures which are capable of being included in a relatively large amount in the composite material, and which are capable of improving the physical properties, such as electric, mechanical, or thermal properties. The carbon fibrous structure comprises (a) carbon fibrous structures each of which comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers, each of the carbon fibers having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part, at which the carbon fibers are bound in a state that the carbon, fibers are extended outwardly therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers, and (b) an material other than the carbon fibrous structures, wherein the amount of carbon fibrous structures added is more than 30% and not more than 100% by weight of the total weight of the composite.

Abstract: A composition for injection molding by which a reactive injection molded article of good mechanical strength and electrical conductivity is prepared is provided. The disclosed is a composition for injection molding which includes carbon fibrous structures in a liquid curing resin composition, at a rate of 0.1-20% by weight based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part with which the carbon fibers are tied together in the state that the concerned carbon fibers are externally elongated therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers.

Abstract: The disclosed is an electrically conductive sheet which includes carbon fibrous structures in polymer matrix, at a rate of 0.01-30% by weight based on the total weight of the sheet, wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part with which the carbon fibers are tied together in the state that the concerned carbon fibers are externally elongated therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers. The electrically conductive sheet shows a high electrical conductivity while possessing a good film strength.

Abstract: An recycled composite material is disclosed, which is prepared by using as a raw material a waste composite material which comprises a matrix component and carbon fibrous structures added to the matrix, and adding an additional matrix component which is homogeneous and/or heterogeneous with the matrix of the spent composite material, and then kneading them together; wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers, each carbon fiber having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, and a granular part, at which the fibers are bound in a state that the carbon fibers extend outwardly therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers. The recycled composite material performs much the same with the original composite material, and is produced briefly at a low cost.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon fibrous structure which comprises a granular part and 2-20 pieces of carbon fibers each of which has an outside diameter of 15-100 nm and which are extend outwardly from the granular part, wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers, wherein the size of granular part is 1.3 or more of times larger than the outside diameter of the carbon fibers, and wherein the mean length of the carbon fibers is not more than 20 ?m. The carbon fibrous structure improves the physical properties of the matrix, such as electric, mechanical, or thermal properties, while maintaining the other properties of the matrix, even when added at a small amount.

Abstract: The disclosed is a conductive coating material which includes an organic binder component and carbon fibrous structures, wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part with which the carbon fibers are tied together in the state that the concerned carbon fibers are externally elongated therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers; and wherein the carbon fibrous structures are contained at a rate of 0.01-50% by weight based on the total weight of the coating material. The conductive coating material gives a coated film which shows a high electrical conductivity and a good film strength, and also coordinates its color as an intended one easily.

Abstract: By using a high electromagnetic wave absorbing loss material and adding it in a small amount to a matrix, an electromagnetic wave absorber useful for GHz band, which can demonstrate the electromagnetic wave absorption capability without ruining characteristics of the matrix, and can enjoy a good formability and a low manufacturing cost, is provided. The disclosed is an electromagnetic wave absorber which is characterized in that carbon fibrous structures are contained in the matrix, at a rate of 0.01-25% by weight based on the total weight, wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part with which the carbon fibers are tied together in the state that the concerned carbon fibers are externally elongated therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers.

Abstract: The disclosed is a colored polymer composition which includes carbon fibrous structures and a coloring agent in a polymer matrix, wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part with which the carbon fibers are tied together in the state that the concerned carbon fibers are externally elongated therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers. It is the colored polymer composition which includes novel carbon fibrous structures having preferable physical properties as a filler for composite material, and of being able to improve electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of a matrix while maintaining other properties of the matrix, in a small adding amount, and which can show a color as pleases.

Abstract: An electron emission Source is disclosed, in which the fine carbon fibers included are uniformly dispersed as compared with those in the conventionally known electron emission sources, and the manufacturing of which is also easy. The electron emission source is manufactured by preparing a carbon fibrous structures' dispersion which comprises at least carbon fibrous structures and a binder resin, wherein carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers, each of which having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part, at which two or more carbon fibers are bound in a state that the carbon fibers extend outwardly therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers; applying the carbon fibrous structures' dispersion onto the substrate; and solidifying the applied carbon fibrous structures' dispersion.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomeric composition which have an improved compression set and good electrical properties is provided. The disclosed is thermoplastic elastomeric composition which includes 0.1-30 parts by weight of carbon fibrous structures per 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the carbon fibrous structure comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part with which the carbon fibers are tied together in the state that the concerned carbon fibers are externally elongated therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fine carbon fibrous structure which comprises carbon fibers and granular parts, wherein at least two granular parts connect by at least one of the carbon fibers; wherein the fine carbon fibrous structure have a D2/D1 ratio of 1.3 to 10, wherein the D1 is the median diameter of outer diameters of the carbon fibers and the D2 is the area-based circle-equivalent median diameter of the particles; wherein the granular parts have a D2 of 0.05 to 0.4 ?m; wherein the carbon fibers have a median length of not more than 20 ?m; wherein the granular parts are produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers; and wherein at least a graphene layer which exists on and constitutes the surface of each granular part is continued on a graphene layer which exists on and constitutes the surface of the carbon fiber which connects between the granular parts.

Abstract: In order to maintain the dust collection efficiency, it comprises: a filtration chamber 20 which has an carbon fiber outlet 10 from which carbon fibers are discharged and to which a gas including the carbon fibers is introduced; a flexible cylindrical filter cloth 22 one end of which is suspended in the filtration chamber and which collects the carbon fibers in the gas in order to clean up the gas; and a pathway 30 for cleaned-up gas which is connected to the filtration chamber 20 through the cylindrical filter cloth 22 and which allows the cleaned-up gas to pass through it.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing carbon fibrous structures each of which comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers, which is characterized in that, in the procedure of carbon fiber vapor phase deposition utilizing decomposition of organic carbon compound, at least two kinds of organic carbon compounds as carbon sources are in existence at least at predetermined thermal decomposition reaction temperature range in a reaction furnace and partial pressures of gases of these compounds are regulated so that these compounds are decomposed at mutually different decomposition temperatures, and/or a raw material gas supplied into the reaction furnace is forced to form a turbulent flow. It is possible to obtain efficiently the carbon fibrous structures each of which comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers and which are suitable as additives to be added to solid materials, such as resin, ceramics, metal, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing fine carbon fibers' aggregates having a median diameter of not more than 30 ?m, which comprises a pulverization step where a composition which includes (a) fine carbon fibers' aggregates having a median diameter of not less than 30 ?m and (b) a dispersion medium undergoes acceleration in order to form a turbulent flow and/or collision flow, thereby shearing force and/or impacting force exert on the (a) component included in the composition and thus the (a) component is pulverized, wherein the value of [ID/IG of fine carbon fibers' aggregates after pulverization of the (a) component]/[ID/IG of fine carbon fibers' aggregates before pulverization of the (a) component] (wherein the ID/IG is calculated from measurement values determined by Raman spectroscopic analysis using 514 nm light of the argon laser) is in the range of 0.7 to 1.5.

Abstract: A high-reliability computer program, a program executing device, a program creating program for creating a high-reliability computer program, and a state displaying program are provided. The computer program is constituted of a set of capsule programs having the same structure and executed by a computer. Each capsule program allows a computer to function open data area elements where open data acquirable by another capsule program is set, open data acquiring elements for acquiring the open data set in the open data area elements in another capsule program, and main processing elements for executing a predetermined computation of the open data acquired by the open data acquiring elements and setting at least a part of the result of the computation as the open data in the open data area elements.