Abstract: A carbon heating element of excellent durability and thermal shock resistance, usable even in a special environment, for example, even in a strong oxidizing chemical, and having a sufficient capability of generating heat with smaller power consumption. The carbon heating element is formed by covering a carbon material, such as carbon fiber or a carbon fiber cloth with quarts glass, making the interior of the quartz glass vacuous or setting the pressure of the interior of the quartz to not higher than 0.2 atm. with substituted inert gas, and melt-scal the quartz glass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an exfoliated graphite/phenol resin composite foam of a porosity of 50-95%, a density of 0.1-0.8 g/cm3, by forming under contact pressure or reduced pressure at a temperature of 140-200° C. a mixture comprising 100 parts by weight of powdered and/or crushed exfoliated graphite and 40-240 parts by weight of phenol resin; an exfoliated graphite/phenol resin composite foam obtained by the method; and a method of obtaining an exfoliated graphite/glassy carbon composite foam of a porosity of 50-95%, a density 0.1-0.8 g/cm3 with volumetric baking shrinkage of 10% or less by baking the exfoliated graphite/phenol resin composite foam.

Abstract: A primary object of the invention is to provide a production technology for functional polyamic acid microfine particles and functional polyimide microfine particles by which the particle shape, size and size distribution can be freely controlled. The invention is concerned with a process for synthesizing polyamic acid particles having functional groups at least on the surface from a tetracarboxylic anhydride and a diamine compound characterized by its comprising (a) a first step which comprises providing a tetracarboxylic anhydride and a diamine compound at least one of which has functional groups and preparing a first solution containing the tetracarboxylic anhydride and a second solution containing the diamine compound and (b) a second step which comprises mixing the first and second solutions under ultrasonic agitation to thereby precipitate polyamic acid microfine particles from the mixed solution.

Abstract: A process for producing polyimide microfine particles which is amenable to free control of particle morphology and particle diameter distribution is provided. A polyamic acid and a polyimide, each in the form of microfine particles with good monodispersibility, are also provided. There is also provided a process for producing polyimide microfine particles from a tetracarboxylic anhydride and a diamine compound which comprises (a) a first step of preparing a first solution containing the tetracarboxylic anhydride and a second solution containing the diamine compound, (b) a second step of mixing the first and second solutions and causing a polyamic acid to precipitate in the form of microfine particles from the mixed solution under ultrasonic agitation, and (c) a third step of imidating the polyamic acid particles to provide the objective polyimide in the form of microfine particles.

Abstract: A primary object of the present invention is to easily and securely fix a photocatalyst to a substrate. According to the invention, there is provided a process for preparing a photocatalyst material, the process comprising a first step of forming an undercoating containing silica gel on a substrate, a second step of bringing titanium tetrachloride into contact with the undercoating and a third step of heat-treating the coated substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of disposing of polychlorinated biphenyls without causing a health hazard to the public in which the polychlorinated biphenyls are converted into harmless and useful compounds. This is accomplished by the hydrogenation-dechlorination thereof.

Abstract: A vibration-isolating foundation for a machine which gives out vibration or impact during operation has an inertia block on which the machine is mounted and having an open space or cavity thereunder and the whole of both the machine and the block is floated in a water tank, whereby the whole or part of the weight of the machine and the block is supported by buoyancy of the block in the water due to the air in the cavity and thus transmission of a dynamic load to the floor surface supporting the foundation during the operation of the machine is reduced to a large degree.