Abstract: A case nitrided aluminum product is produced by contacting an aluminum product with a nitriding agent at a part of a surface thereof at least, and by nitriding the aluminum product at the surface with an ambient gas at a temperature of a melting point of the aluminum product or less while keeping the aforementioned contact. The nitriding agent includes an aluminum powder, and the ambient gas virtually includes a nitrogen gas. The resulting nitriding layer has a depth of 5 micrometers or more, and it exhibits a case hardness of from 250 to 1,200 mHv. Thus, it is possible to form the deep and hard nitriding layer on the aluminum product with ease under the conditions where it has been said to be too difficult to nitride aluminum products. The case nitrided aluminum product can appropriately make sliding parts which require high wear resistance.

Abstract: The surface of material containing a hydrogen storage alloy are treated with an organometallic compound to provide the alloy with corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A first syringe pump feeds a sample solution such as, for example, a diluted blood into an inner tube of a flow cell, and a second syringe pump feeds a sheath solution such as, for example, a physiological saline solution into an outer tube of the flow cell. Respective first and second plungers of the first and second syringe pumps are fixed onto a connecting plate. The connecting plate is supported by a pair of guide rods so that it may be moved in line with the moving direction of the plungers. Into the connecting plate is screwed an externally threaded rod, which is driven by a motor to rotate in the normal and reverse directions about its axis. By the normal and reverse rotations of the threaded rod, the connecting plate is reciprocally moved, whereby the first and second plungers are moved at the same speed. By the movement of the first and second plungers at the same speed, the sample solution and the sheath solution are respectively fed into the flow cell at the same rate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating a reflectometer using black and white references observed in locations optically different from the sample location. Dark and light standards are selected to have reflectance values, while examined in the detection location of the test elements, that are within .+-.0.005 and .+-.0.05 of the values of the black and white references, respectively, when examined in a location displaced from the detection location of the test elements. Such standards are then read on a referee reflectometer having "ideal" black and white references, and the reflectances so read on the referee reflectometer are recorded for use as calibrating factors in making reflectance readings for the test elements.

Abstract: Described is a method of discriminating between front and back sides of the paper sheet bearing different printed design on the front and back sides, the printed design being in dissymmetry both in the up and down direction and in the left and right direction. The amount of light transmitted through plural portions of the paper sheet is sensed for deriving pattern signals indicative of changes in the amount of transmitted light, said pattern signals being then compared to reference pattern signals stored in advance to permit discrimination between the upper and lower edges and between the front and back sides of the sheet.

Abstract: In an optical detection system for detecting a feature located at a predetermined lateral position on a banknote, for example, the banknote is moved along a flow path and a series of light receivers are arranged transversely across that portion of the flow path which the feature is expected to occupy, so that different ones of the light receivers will respond to the feature in the banknote depending on the lateral offset of the banknote at that portion of the flow path. The margins of the note are utilized in the detection system to gate the said light receivers so that for any position of lateral offset of the banknote only that light receiver which responds to the said feature of the banknote will produce an effective output signal. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, two sets of fibre optics are used to effect this gating, one set having its first ends (S1 to S5) opposite a light source at one margin of the sheet and its other ends (F1 to F5) adjacent the above mentioned light receivers (F1' to F5').

Abstract: A thin, compact reflectometer is adapted to support and position a generally planar test element in a predetermined, generally horizontal plane during usage. The reflectometer includes a light source and a detector having major portions of their respective illumination and detection axes extending generally parallel to a planar reflectometer-positioning portion on one of two major surfaces of the reflectometer.