Abstract: A plasma irradiation apparatus includes: a gas guide channel defining therein a flow path for flow of a discharge gas, with an outlet port formed at an end of the flow path; and a discharge section that generates plasma discharge in the gas guide channel. The plasma irradiation apparatus is mounted to a distal device which is movable relative to a target substance. The plasma irradiation apparatus further includes a valve arranged in the gas guide channel or a gas supply channel and configured as a valve capable of changing a flow rate of the discharge gas according to an opening degree of the valve or as a check valve.

Abstract: A silicon nitride-based sintered body containing silicon nitride-based grains, which are silicon nitride grains or sialon grains. In the silicon nitride-based sintered body, when the size of each silicon nitride-based grain is represented by its maximum grain size, the ratio of the number of silicon nitride-based grains having a maximum grain size of 1 ?m or less to the number of the entire silicon nitride-based grains is 70% or higher. Furthermore, in the distribution profile of no. % of silicon nitride-based grains with respect to maximum grain size, the maximum value of no. % (i.e., maximum no. %) of silicon nitride-based grains is 15 no. % or higher. Also disclosed is a cutting insert, which is formed of the silicon nitride-based sintered body.

Abstract: A sensor element including a first ceramic layer (105), and a measurement electrode (110a) and a reference electrode (108a) disposed thereon, further comprising a through hole (105a) formed in the first ceramic layer, a through hole conductor (121c), a reference lead (108b) connected to the reference electrode and connected to the through hole conductor, and a second ceramic layer (103) disposed to face the first ceramic layer, the sensor element further including a gas flow chamber (130) provided between the first and second ceramic layers, and facing the through hole and being in communication with the reference lead, and a gas flow passage (170) open to a second region (100s) of an outer surface of the sensor element, thereby establishing communication between the gas flow chamber and an outside atmosphere. Also disclosed is gas sensor including the gas sensor element and a method for manufacturing the gas sensor element.

Abstract: A gas sensor (1) has a sensor element (21) extending in an axis direction and having, at a top end side thereof, a detecting portion (22) that detects gas; a stainless steel-made tubular metal shell (11) enclosing a radial direction periphery of the sensor element (21) and holding the sensor element (21) and having (a) a brim portion (14) protruding outwards in a radial direction and (b) a crimp portion (16) formed at a rear end side of the metal shell (11); and a sealing member (41) placed between the sensor element (21) and the metal shell (11). The crimp portion (16) is bent inwards in the radial direction and pressing down a rear end of the sealing member (41) toward the top end side. A Micro Vickers hardness of a cross section along the axis direction of the crimp portion (16) is 140 to 210 Hv.

Abstract: A spark plug that can reduce variation in a discharge point. The spark plug includes: a center electrode; a metal shell insulating and holding the center electrode; and a ground electrode including a base material having one end portion connected to the metal shell, and a tip connected to another end portion of the base material. The tip has a discharge surface opposed to the center electrode with a spark gap therebetween. The discharge surface has a quadrangular shape and is chamfered at four sides thereof. Only a first side which is one of the four sides is provided with a C chamfer.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride sintered body for use in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is provided. The aluminum nitride sintered body exhibits, in a photoluminescence spectrum thereof in a wavelength range of 350 nm to 700 nm obtained with 250 nm excitation light, a highest emission intensity peak within a wavelength range of 580 nm to 620 nm.

Abstract: A spark plug is provided with a center electrode and a ground electrode. The ground electrode includes an electrode tip, an electrode base material, an intermediate member and a first melt portion. The intermediate member is disposed between the electrode tip and the electrode base material. The first melt portion contains components of the electrode base material and the intermediate member, and is disposed at least at a part of the boundary between the electrode base material and the intermediate member. In a cross section including the axis of the ground electrode, the boundary line between the intermediate member and the first melt portion has at least two first projection portions projecting toward the electrode tip side, and the boundary line between the electrode base material and the first melt portion has at least two second projection portions projecting toward the opposite side of the first projection portions.

Abstract: An optical wavelength converter (1) is configured such that an optical wavelength conversion member (9) is bonded to a heat dissipation member (13) having superior heat dissipation property. Thus, heat generated by light incident on the optical wavelength conversion member (9) can be efficiently dissipated. Therefore, even when high-energy light is incident on the optical wavelength converter, temperature quenching is less likely to occur, and thus high fluorescence intensity can be maintained. An intermediate film (21) is disposed between a reflective film (19) and a bonding portion (15). The presence of the intermediate film (21) improves the adhesion between the reflective film (19) and the bonding portion (15), thereby enhancing the heat dissipation from the optical wavelength conversion member (9) to the heat dissipation member (13). Thus, the temperature quenching of the optical wavelength conversion member (9) can be prevented, thereby enhancing fluorescence intensity.

Abstract: A gas sensor (1) including a sensor element (10) and a separator (90) having an element hole (90 h), as viewed from one of a forward-end or a rear-end side in the axial direction. The separator has end surfaces (90 e) located axially farthest toward the one of the forward-end or the rear-end side, recess regions (90 h), (90 r 1) and (90 r 2) recessed from the end surfaces, and regions R1 and R2. First regions R1 are determined by eliminating a region SB occupied by the sensor element from a region SA defined by imaginary short-side lines and the outer edge of the separator. Second regions R2 are determined by eliminating the region SB from a region SC defined by imaginary long-side lines and the outer edge of the separator. S2/S1?0.5 is satisfied, where S1 is the total area of R1 and R2, and S2 is the total area of the recess regions.

Abstract: To provide an immunoglobulin purification method which achieves a high immunoglobulin recovery percentage without causing loss of the antibody nature of an immunoglobulin. The immunoglobulin purification method includes an adsorption step and a desorption step. The adsorption step involves adsorption of an immunoglobulin onto porous zirconia particles in a neutral buffer. The desorption step involves desorption of the immunoglobulin adsorbed on the porous zirconia particles from the porous zirconia particles by means of a neutral desorption liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ceramic package for filling with a liquid-containing electrolyte, which includes: a package body defining a recessed cavity open at a front surface of the package body and including first and second ceramic layers stacked together; a plurality of electrode pads disposed on a bottom surface of the recessed cavity; and a plurality of outer connection terminals disposed on a back surface of the package body, wherein each of the electrode pads includes a pad body portion having a polygonal shape in plan view and an interlayer pad portion formed along an interlayer surface between the first and second ceramic layers, wherein the interlayer pad portion has a protruding part protruding outwardly from the pad body portion, and wherein via conductors are formed between the protruding parts of the electrode pads and the outer connection terminals through the first ceramic layer.

Abstract: A spark plug including an insulator and a metallic member such as a metallic shell. In the spark plug, a mark such as a two-dimensional code is provided on the surface of at least one of the insulator and the metallic member. Also, a protective layer covers the mark. The protective layer is optically transparent and contains a fluorescent substance.

Abstract: A measurement system is disclosed that includes features for detecting the presence of nitric oxide from a gas sample, such as exhaled breath. The measurement system includes an assembly that introduces one or more reducing gases into a reactor-sensor assembly to help stabilize the sensor signal response and improve the performance of the assembly over time. Suitable reducing gases include hydrogen gas (H2), carbon dioxide (CO), benzaldehyde, bisphenol A, and other similar compounds. The reducing gas may be introduced directly from one or more surrounding gases or through tubing or inline piping. The reducing gas may be generated from the liquid or solid forms.

Abstract: Provided is a ceramic sintered body having high wear resistance and chipping resistance. Also provided are an insert, a cutting tool and a friction stir welding tool, each of which uses such a high-performance ceramic sintered body. The ceramic sintered body includes Al2O3 (alumina), WC (tungsten carbide) and ZrO2 (zirconia), wherein Zr (zirconium) element is present at either one or both of: (1) a grain boundary between crystal grains of the Al2O3; and (2) a grain boundary of crystal grains of the Al2O and crystal grains of the WC, wherein the ceramic sintered body contains 55.0 to 97.5 vol % of the WC, 0.1 to 18.0 vol % of the ZrO2, and the balance being the Al2O3, and wherein the ZrO2 is in a phase of tetragonal structure (T) or a mixed phase of tetragonal structure (T) and monoclinic structure (M).

Abstract: A structure for cooling a rake face of a cutting insert in a region near a tip of a cutting edge. The cutting insert includes a rake face, a cutting edge formed on an outer periphery of the rake face, a base portion that supports the rake face, and an internal cooling path through which fluid for cooling the rake face flows. The internal cooling path includes an introduction flow path and a cooling flow path, and the cooling flow path is disposed behind a region in which a chip of a workpiece comes into contact with rake face. The cooling flow path is provided at a depth of less than or equal to 1.5 mm from the rake face.

Abstract: An optical wavelength conversion device includes an optical wavelength conversion member configured to convert the wavelength of incident light; a heat dissipation member which is more excellent in heat dissipation than the optical wavelength conversion member; and a joint portion which joins the optical wavelength conversion member and the heat dissipation member together. The optical wavelength conversion member includes a plate-shaped ceramic fluorescent body and a reflecting film disposed on a heat dissipation member-side surface of the ceramic fluorescent body. The joint portion has a thermal conductivity of 120 W/mK or more. The joint portion has a melting point of 240° C. or higher.

Abstract: Porous zirconia particles exhibit high specificity to a protein to be immobilized thereto and are used in immobilization of the protein. The porous zirconia particles have a pore diameter D50, at which a ratio of a cumulative pore volume to a total pore volume is 50%, the pore diameter D50 being in a range of 3.20 nm or more and 6.50 nm or less; and a pore diameter D90, at which a ratio of a cumulative pore volume to a total pore volume is 90%, the pore diameter D90 being in a range of 10.50 nm or more and 100.00 nm or less. The total pore volume of the particles is greater than 0.10 cm3/g. D50, D90, and the total pore volume are determined based on a pore diameter distribution measured through a BET method.

Abstract: A spark plug 100 of the present disclosure includes a center electrode 20; a metallic member provided to form a tubular shape around an axis AX of the spark plug, holding the center electrode 20 therein in an insulated state, and having a hole 55 formed in a side wall thereof and extending in a radial direction; and a ground electrode 30 supported in the hole 55 and extending from the hole 55 toward the axis AX. The ground electrode 30 has a fixing portion formed of a metal and fixed to the hole 55, and an ignition portion 39 containing a noble metal, disposed on a side toward the axis AX in relation to the fixing portion, and having a discharge surface for forming a gap G between the ignition portion and the center electrode 20. The absolute value of the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the metallic member and the fixing portion is smaller than the absolute value of the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the metallic member and the ignition portion 39.

Abstract: Provided are a vacuum chuck member and a vacuum chuck method that are capable of suppressing misalignment of a substrate when a wafer having a significant deflection or warpage is chucked and held. In a state in which a wafer W is placed on the upper surface side of a base 1, the pressure in an inner space S1 surrounded by the upper surface of the base 1, the lower surface of the wafer W, and the inner side surface of an inner annular rib 21 is reduced through a first air passage 101. Subsequently, the pressure in an outer space S2 surrounded by the upper surface of the base 1, the lower surface of the wafer W, the outer side surface of the inner annular rib 21, and the inner side surface of an outer annular rib 22 is reduced through a second air passage 102.

Abstract: A gas sensor element includes a solid electrolyte body, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a protective layer. The protective layer includes at least a first catalyst layer that supports a first catalyst metal other than a metal facilitating a reduction reaction of nitrogen oxide and a second catalyst layer that supports only a second catalyst metal facilitating the reduction reaction of the nitrogen oxide. The first catalyst layer and the second catalyst layer are arranged in a path through which a gas under measurement is supplied from the outside of the gas sensor element to the first electrode in such a manner that the first catalyst layer and the second catalyst layer are not in direct contact with each other.