Abstract: A novel method is proposed for the preparation of a superlattice multilayered film, which has a multilayered structure alternately consisting of epitaxially grown layers of a metal and layers of a metal oxide formed on the surface of a substrate and is useful as high-speed electronic devices, soft X-ray reflectors, neutron beam polarizers and the like. According to the discovery leading to this invention, good epitaxial growth of the layers can be accomplished when the metal has a face-centered cubic lattice structure and the metal oxide has a sodium chloride-type cubic lattice structure and the difference in the lattice constant between the metal and the metal oxide is small enough as in the combinations of silver and nickel oxide or magnesium oxide and nickel and nickel oxide.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are isolated from a mixture containing the carbon nanotubes and graphite particles by a process including the steps of:finely pulverizing the mixture;dispersing the pulverized product in a liquid medium;centrifuging the resulting dispersion to obtain a supernatant containing carbon nanotubes and graphite particles having a particle size of 0.3 .mu.m or less;separating the supernatant into a solid phase and a liquid phase; andcalcining the solid phase in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature sufficient to burn the graphite particles and to leave the nanotubes.

Abstract: Proposed is a novel synthetic inorganic porous material having a chemical composition of the general formula[(SiO.sub.2).sub.8 .multidot.(MO.sub.2/3).sub.a .multidot.(OH).sub.2/3a+b ].sup.b- .multidot.b/c(A.sup.c+),in which M is an ion of a divalent metal, e.g., Mg, A is a cation of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, hydrogen or ammonium, the subscript a is a positive number of 3 to 10, b is a positive number of 0.1 to 1 and c is a positive number of 1 to 2, and characterized by a specific surface area of 100 to 800 m.sup.2 /g, average pore diameter of 2 to 8 nm, pore volume of 0.1 to 0.8 cm.sup.3 /g and cation exchange capacity of 0.1 to 1.2 meq/g. This porous material is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) mixing an aqueous solution of sodium silicate and an aqueous solution of a water-soluble salt of a divalent metal M, e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides a carbonaceous ferromagnetic material consisting substantially of carbon alone as prepared by the carbonization of a specific aromatic compound, such as phenazine and indigo, to such an extent that the hydrogen atoms in the starting aromatic compound are eliminated as completely as possible but graphitization of the carbonization product does not take place by conducting the carbonization treatment at a temperature not exceeding 800.degree. C. The carbonization reaction can be promoted by admixing the aromatic compound with a compound of a ferromagnetic metallic element such as cobalt chloride, which is removed from the carbonization product by dissolving away with hydrochloric acid and ammonia water. Elimination of hydrogen atoms from the aromatic compound can be more complete by conducting the heat treatment for the carbonization in an atmosphere containing a halogen-generating agent such as carbon tetrachloride.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel .beta.-lactam compound, a 7-substituted-2-oxa-7-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-6-one represented by the general formula ##STR1## in which R is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, halogen-substituted aryl or alkaryl group, having usefulness as an intermediate for the synthesis of various biologically active compounds. The compound can be prepared by the reaction of an isocyanate compound RNCO, R being the same as above, and 2,3-dihydrofuran, preferably, under pressurization up to 2000 atmospheres or higher.

Abstract: The method of cleaning an exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides and oxygen in an amount larger than its stoichiometric amount relative to unburned components in the exhaust gas which includes (a) disposing an exhaust gas cleaner comprising a heat-resistant, porous inorganic oxide body made of alumina or composite oxide thereof and impregnated with Ag or its oxide, in a flow path of the exhaust gas; (b) introducing a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of gaseous hydrocarbons, liquid hydrocarbons and aliphatic oxygen-containing organic compounds into the exhaust gas on the upstream side of the exhaust gas cleaner; and (c) bringing the exhaust gas into contact with the exhaust gas cleaner at a temperature of 200.degree.-600.degree. C., thereby removing the nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: Proposed is a method for bonding of a ceramic body and a metallic body at a relatively low temperature not to cause substantial deformation or material degradation of the ceramic and metallic materials. The surface of the ceramic body is first irradiated with laser beams in vacuum so that the inorganic non-volatile constituent of the ceramic material, e.g. silicon when the ceramic is silicon nitride, is isolated on the surface of the ceramic body forming a layer. Thereafter, the metallic body is brought into contact with and pressed in vacuum against the thus laser beam-irradiated area of the ceramic body under an adequate pressing force and at an elevated but relatively low temperature which is, for example, not higher than 0.5Tm .degree.C., Tm .degree.C. being the melting point of the metallic material, so that the ceramic and metallic bodies are firmly bonded together.

Abstract: Proposed is a method for vascular embolization of the blood vessel of a patient by introducing an aqueous solution of a specific thermosensitive polymer, which is liquid at low temperatures but causes coagulation when heated up to the body temperature of the patient, into the blood vessel followed by in situ heating of the solution. The thermosensitive polymer found to be suitable for the purpose is a homopolymer or copolymer of an N-substituted (meth) acrylamide monomer having a specified intrinsic viscosity in tetrahydrofuran and gives an aqueous solution capable of exhibiting phase transition from a liquid to a coagulate at a transition temperature of 10.degree. to 37.degree..

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing 3,4-dihydroxyphthalic acid, comprising treating phthalic acid with a product which is obtained by treating the cell membrane fraction of microorganism bacterial bodies capable of converting phthalic acid to 3,4-dihydroxyphthalic acid with a condensate of polyethylene oxide with a higher alcohol, thereby converting the phthalic acid to 3,4-dihydroxyphthalic acid. According to the method, only 3,4-dihydroxyphthalic acid, which is an intermediary metabolite, can be produced efficiently in a process of biodegrading phthalic acid with a microorganism.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing organoplatinum polymers by reacting 5,6,11,12-tetradehydrodibenzo a,e!cyclooctenes with platinum complexes. The organoplatinum polymer thus obtained has .pi.-coordinated acetylene in the main chain, and is expected to be used as electronic materials, nonlinear optical materials, and polymer platinum complex catalysts, that can be used in air.

Abstract: A device for measuring the moisture content of a moisture-containing sample, which includes an electronic balance for measuring the weight of an airtight sample holder containing the sample and placed on a receiver thereof. The sample holder has a side wall provided with a gas discharge pipe extending horizontally outwardly from therefrom. A gas feed tube having a front portion inserted into the gas discharge pipe of the sample holder is held without contacting with the inside wall of the discharge pipe. An infrared lamp is disposed above the electronic balance to heat the sample in the sample holder and to remove the moisture from the sample. By feeding an inert gas through the feed tube into the sample holder, the heating of the sample with the lamp is performed in an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: When an impact load is applied to a workpiece which is held by the robot, the impact force can be absorbed. The robot includes a grip 3 for holding a workpiece to which an impact load is applied and a buffer mechanism disposed between the grip 3 and a robot arm 2. The buffer mechanism 4 includes two parallel link mechanisms 5, 6 for enabling the grip 3 to be moved in various directions and hydraulic actuator mechanisms 7, 8 for relaxing the actuation of the parallel link mechanisms 5, 6. When an impact force is applied to the grip 3, two parallel link mechanisms 5, 6 are actuated so that the grip 3 is slightly displaced while the hydraulic actuator mechanisms 5, 6 relax the actuation of the parallel link mechanisms 7, 8. Therefore, the impact force which is applied to the grip 3 can be absorbed. Additionally, after the impact force is applied to the grip 3, the buffer mechanism 4 can immediately be returned automatically to the initial position.

Abstract: A plasminogen activator such as urokinase or tissue plasminogen activator is covalently bonded to a porous body composed of calcium phosphate to form a plasminogen activator-porous body complex. The tricalcium phosphate can be .alpha.-tricalcium phosphate, .beta.-tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, tetracalcium phosphate, octacalcium phosphate and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, .beta.-tricalcium phosphate which has excellent biocompatibility with the body or a mixture of .beta.-tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite is used. Preferably, synthetic calcium phosphate is used is to avoid impurities contained by natural calcium phosphate. Covalent bonding is by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde, bismaleimides, dihalogenic aryls or diisocyanates, or by using cyanogen bromide, diazotization or periodic acid. The complex can be filled into a column to form a bioreactor.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are produced by successively repositioning an axially extending rod-like carbonaceous anode relative to a cathode surface such that a tip end surface of the anode successively faces on different portions of the cathode surface while impressing a direct current voltage therebetween, so that an arc discharge occur with the simultaneous formation of carbonaceous deposits containing carbon nanotubes on each of the portions of the cathode surface. The carbonaceous deposits are scraped and collected. A device for carrying out the above method includes a driving member for displacing the cathode surface relative to the anode.

Abstract: Water containing an inorganic nitrogen-containing compound, such as water effluent from sewage treatment plant, is treated for the removal of the nitrogen-containing compound and for the production of hydrocarbons by proliferating microalga capable of consuming the nitrogen-containing compound and of producing the hydrocarbons as an intracellular product. After adjusting the water content, the resulting culture containing the proliferated microalga and clean water is heated at a high temperature and a high pressure to liberate the hydrocarbon from the microalga. The hydrocarbon is subsequently recovered by solvent extraction.

Abstract: Proposed is a compact high-temperature exothermic device by utilizing the heat of reaction of a reactive metal powder, e.g., titanium and zirconium, and a powder of boron and/or carbon mixed together in about the stoichiometric proportion forming a calorific mixture. The exothermic device is constructed by filling a hermetically sealable container of a metallic or ceramic material with the calorific mixture which is contacted at one end portion with an ignition means to cause ignition of the calorific mixture by supplying, for example, electric energy. The ignition means can be hermetically sealed in the container and the electric circuit of the ignition means comprises a switching means with a coil spring consolidated with a solder alloy in a constricted state in such a fashion that, when the solder alloy is melted down by heating from outside, the coil spring is released to close the electric circuit by bringing a contact point held thereon into contact with a couterpart contact point.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for effectively producing a silicon-containing pentacyclic compound, wherein the method comprises reacting (a) a 1,2-bis(hydrosilyl)benzene with (b) a cyclic diyne in the presence of (c) a platinum compound. There is also disclosed a method for effectively producing a silicon-containing ladder polymer having a complete ladder structure, wherein the method comprises reacting (a) a 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(hydrosilyl)benzene with (b) a cyclic diyne in the presence of (c) a platinum compound.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing an economical process for purifying water which can produce clean water by treating polluted water, which contains agricultural chemicals, organic solvents (particularly, halocarbon) and surface active agents (particularly, those with side chains) which are hard to treat according to a conventional activated sludge process, under moderate conditions readily and promptly, and also, which process is characterized by adding titanium oxide and iron salt into water to be treated, and irradiating light thereupon.

Abstract: A membrane for the separation of carbon dioxide is disclosed which includes a hydrogel film of a cross-linked, vinyl alcohol/acrylic acid salt copolymer impregnated with an aqueous carrier solution containing a carbon dioxide carrier dissolved therein. A composition containing a solvent, an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonates, and a polydentate ligand capable of forming a complex with an alkali metal ion is suitably used as the carrier solution. This composition may also be used for the preparation of a liquid film of a carbon dioxide separation membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimeric enzyme gene which codes for a monooxygenase having both monooxygenase activity derived from cytochrome P-450 and reducing power supplying ability derived from NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase.The present invention further provides a yeast expression plasmid which contains said chimeric enzyme gene and expresses said monooxygenase gene; a transformed yeast strain which carries said yeast expression plasmid; a monooxygenase which has both the monooxygenase activity and the reducing power supplying ability as mentioned above; and a process for producing said monooxygenase.