Abstract: A foam containing 30 to 95% by weight of a polyolefin-based resin and 5 to 70% by weight of a hydrophilizing agent composed of a cellulose-based powder, the surface of the foam being in a melt fractured state.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antibacterial nanofiber which comprises a polymer having an electron-withdrawing group and/or an electron-withdrawing atomic group and has an average fiber diameter of not less than 1 nm and less than 1000 nm, wherein the ratio of the binding energy of the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. to the binding energy of the electron-withdrawing group and/or the electron-withdrawing atomic group contained in the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. is 0.13 or greater. The nanofiber has an antibacterial activity by itself, and therefore can exhibit an antibacterial activity without the need of adding any antibacterial agent.

Abstract: A solar simulator for measuring the current-voltage characteristics of photovoltaic devices, in which an irradiated test plane of the object to be measured is disposed opposite an illuminating surface of the light source, the whole test plane of the photovoltaic devices is divided imaginarily into a plurality of sections, and a selected member for adjusting irradiance is disposed opposite the test plane of each imaginary sections so as to equalize or substantially to equalize the irradiance by the light source at every irradiated test plane of the sections, after which light from the light source is directed onto the test plane of the object to be measured.

Abstract: To provide the solar simulator that facilitates making the flash light emitted from the lamp into the desirable irradiance waveform. In the solar simulator 1, the controller 12, according to the control pattern preset to maintain the flash light F emitted from the xenon lamp 14 at the target irradiance for a certain period of time, controls the electric current, which is discharged from the condenser assembly 26 and flowing through the xenon lamp 14, by performing the switching drive on the power switching element 20.

Abstract: To provide a lay-up apparatus capable of precision positioning and laying of thin strips of copper foil or insulation tape on a flat plane even when there are variations in the cut lengths of the strips. A lay-up apparatus lays first and second strips of tape 101, 102 on top of two electrodes 5, 6 deposited on a photovoltaic devices panel 1. The strips of tape are unwound by first and second grippers 112, 122 and cut to predetermined lengths by first and second cutters 113, 123. The cut strips of tape are laid one on top of the other and transported by rotatable moving means 130. The moving means 130 rotates in opposite directions when laying the strips of tape it holds from the electrode 5 toward the electrode 6 and when laying the strips of tape from the electrode 6 toward the electrode 5, while using one end of the strips of tape as a reference and keeping constant the relative positions of the reference end of the strips of tape and that electrode which is nearest the reference end.

Abstract: A lay-up apparatus lays first and second strips of tape 101, 102 on top of two electrodes 5, 6 deposited on a photovoltaic device panel 1. The strips of tape are unwound by first and second grippers 112, 122 and cut to predetermined lengths by first and second cutters 113, 123. The cut strips of tape are laid one on top of the other and transported by rotatable moving means 130. The moving means 130 rotates in opposite directions when laying the strips of tape it holds from the electrode 5 toward the electrode 6 and when laying the strips of tape from the electrode 6 toward the electrode 5, while using one end of the strips of tape as a reference and keeping constant the relative positions of the reference end of the strips of tape and that electrode which is nearest the reference end.

Abstract: To provide, without increasing the number of manufacturing steps, a friction material that can effectively inhibit water fade, provide good brake effectiveness and a good wear resistance, and give low aggressiveness against the mating surface. In the friction material comprising the inorganic abrasive material and lubricant, the inorganic abrasive material includes 0.5-10 volume % of the inorganic particle relative to the total amount of the friction material, with Mohs' hardness of 5-8 and the average particle diameter of 0.5-10 ?m, and the graphite and the petroleum coke in amount of 8-15 volume % relative to the total amount of the friction material. Proportion of the graphite and the petroleum coke is 2:8-3:7 volume ratio, and the average particle diameter of the petroleum coke is 400-900 ?m.

Abstract: An antimicrobial, dustproof fabric includes a textile material layer which is composed of microfibers with an average fiber diameter of from 1 to 100 ?m and contains an inorganic porous substance, and a nanofiber nonwoven fabric layer which is laminated on the textile material layer and has an average fiber diameter of at least 1 nm but less than 1,000 nm. Hygienic products such as masks obtained using the fabric efficiently block microbes such as viruses, and inactivate or destroy the captured microbes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inspecting apparatus for photovoltaic devices which electrifies the photovoltaic devices in a forward direction thereof to make the photovoltaic devices emit electro-luminescence light and which has a simple-structured and cheap darkroom. The inspecting apparatus of the present invention includes a darkroom 110 provided with a flat upper surface 111, a transparent plate 112 which is provided in the upper surface of the darkroom for disposing the photovoltaic devices as an inspecting object 200, a camera 120 which is provided in the darkroom and a driving mechanism to move the camera in the darkroom.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inspection apparatus for a photovoltaic devices which electrifies the photovoltaic devices in a forward direction thereof to make the photovoltaic devices emit electro-luminescence light and which has a simple-structured and cheap darkroom. Also the present invention provides a transport apparatus, which transports the stacked constituent members of the photovoltaic devices in the pre-laminated state to the inspection apparatus without the positional deviation among the constituent members of the photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inspection apparatus for photovoltaic devices which electrifies the photovoltaic devices in a forward direction thereof to make the photovoltaic devices emit electro-luminescence light and which has a simple-structured and cheap darkroom. The inspecting apparatus of the present invention includes a darkroom (110) provided with a flat upper surface (111), a transparent plate (112) which is provided in the upper surface of the darkroom for disposing the photovoltaic devices as an inspecting object (200), a reflector (140) which is disposed in the darkroom (110) at an oblique angle to the transparent plate, and a shading member for covering a camera (120) which is provided in the darkroom (110), the photovoltaic devices as the inspecting object on the darkroom and a guide member for transporting the photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A photovoltaic devices inspection apparatus and a method of determining defects in photovoltaic devices using electroluminescence of the photovoltaic devices. The apparatus and method can not only determine whether the photovoltaic devices are defective or non-defective at the moment, but also whether the devices have a possibility to become defective in the future. A constant electric current is applied to the photovoltaic cells to cause electroluminescence (S7), the light emitted from each cell is photographed cell by cell (S10), and the photographed cell image is enhanced and a shape of a dark region is analyzed (S50) to determine whether the cell is defective or non-defective. The defective region that is determined to be defective is enhanced and displayed visually (S16).

Abstract: Provided are: a biodegradable plastics composition which controls a biodegradation rate with a synergistic controlling effect on three components, adjusts a hydrolysis rate, and shows significantly improved weatherability; a molded article of the composition; and a method of controlling the biodegradation rate of a biodegradable plastics. The biodegradable plastics composition includes: a biodegradable plastics; and a carbodiimide compound, an ultraviolet ray absorbent, and an antioxidant to be blended as essential ingredients into the biodegradable plastics, and the molded article of the composition is also provided.

Abstract: A filler for substrates which comprises an inorganic substance and a carbodiimide-group-containing organic layer chemically bonded to the surface of the inorganic substance. Examples of the carbodiimide-group-containing organic layer include a layer comprising a carbodiimide-group-containing compound represented by either of the following formulae. Due to the constitution, the filler for substrates can be highly dispersed in a resin for substrates even when added in a high proportion and can give a substrate inhibited from deteriorating in electrical properties, mechanical properties, etc. (X1)m—Z-[A-(R1—N?C?N)n—R1—NCO]1 ??(1) (X1)m—Z-[A-(R1—N?C?N)n—R1-A-Z—(X2)3]1 ??(2) [R1 represents a residue of an isocyanate compound; X? and X2 each independently represents hydrogen, halogeno, etc.

Abstract: A flame retardant which comprises an inorganic hydroxide and a carbodiimide-group-containing organic layer chemically bonded to the surface of the inorganic hydroxide. Examples of the carbodiimide-group-containing organic layer include a layer comprising a carbodiimide-group-containing compound represented by either of the following formulae. Due to the constitution, the flame retardant can be highly dispersed in a resin even when added in a high proportion and can give a molding inhibited from deteriorating in electrical properties, mechanical properties, etc. (X1)m-Z-[A-(R1—N?C?N)n—R1—NCO]1??(1) (X1)m-Z-[A-(R1—N?C?N)n—R1-A-Z-(X2)3])3??(2) [R1 represents a residue of an isocyanate compound; X1 and X2 each independently represents hydrogen, halogeno, etc.

Abstract: A plurality of capacitor cells (10) are layered to form a cell group. On the top of each capacitor cell (10), a pair of electrode plates (10b) is formed to protrude upward. The adjacent electrode plates (10b) are connected to each other. A connection piece (20) protruding upward is attached to each of the electrode plates (10b). The connection piece (20) is connected to a circuit substrate (30). Thus, it is possible to effectively make a connection between the cell group of the capacitor cells (10) and the circuit substrate (30).

Abstract: A laminator 100 in which the diaphragm can be mounted simply and easily without the use of a mounting frame. The laminator 100 includes an upper chamber 110, on the bottom surface of which is mounted the diaphragm 140, and a lower chamber 120 on which the upper chamber 110 is stacked and in which is disposed a support base 130 on which a workpiece A that is to be laminated is set. The diaphragm 140 is larger than the upper chamber 110, and an excess portion of the diaphragm that protrudes outside the upper chamber when the diaphragm is mounted on the upper chamber is folded upward and clamped against the sides of the upper chamber by multiple clamps to fix the diaphragm in place on the upper chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically-conductive resin composition for a porous fuel cell bipolar plate capable of forming a porous fuel cell bipolar plate having superior absorption of water produced (resulting in the reduction in a gas permeability) as well as limited elution of impurities (a high rate of electricity generating efficiency). An electrically-conductive resin composition for a porous fuel cell bipolar plate comprising an electrically-conductive material and a resin is provided, and the resin is a resin such as, a powdered resol-type phenolic resin having flow properties of from 5 to 100 mm at 125° C.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell bipolar plate that improves dimensional accuracy even with viscous material, eliminates the need for large-scale production equipment such as a press to make a pre-formed product, and furthermore, enables manufacturing time for the fuel cell bipolar plate to be reduced. Powdered raw material A containing electrically conductive material and resin is dropped into a filling container so that a top thereof is flat. The powdered raw material A inside the filling container is then heated to form a temporary cast B, the temporary cast B is set in a mold in which a predetermined pattern is formed, and heated and compressed to form a fuel cell bipolar plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antibacterial nanofiber which comprises a polymer having an electron-withdrawing group and/or an electron-withdrawing atomic group and has an average fiber diameter of not less than 1 nm and less than 1000 nm, wherein the ratio of the binding energy of the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. to the binding energy of the electron-withdrawing group and/or the electron-withdrawing atomic group contained in the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. is 0.13 or greater. The nanofiber has an antibacterial activity by itself, and therefore can exhibit an antibacterial activity without the need of adding any antibacterial agent.