Abstract: Proposed is a zinc oxide-based transparent conductor characterized in having zinc oxide as its primary component, containing an element at 1 to 10 atomic % which has a smaller ion radius than zinc in the zinc oxide and serves as an n-type dopant for the zinc oxide, and containing nitrogen in which the atomicity ratio of nitrogen in relation to the n-type dopant (nitrogen/n-type dopant) is 0.3 to 0.6. In the development of a transparent conductor that does not contain In, which is an expensive raw material with concern of resource depletion, the limit of the conventional development technique known as the single-dopant method is exceeded, a guide to dopant selection as a specific means for realizing the co-doping theory is indicated, and a transparent conductor having low resistivity is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide compositions of tantalum carbide nitride materials. In one embodiment, a composition of a tantalum carbide nitride material is provided which includes the chemical formula of TaCxNy, wherein x is within a range from about 0.20 to about 0.50 and y is within a range from about 0.20 to about 0.55, an interstitial/elemental carbon atomic ratio of about 2 or greater, and a crystalline structure. In some examples, the composition provides that x is within a range from about 0.25 to about 0.40, preferably, from about 0.30 to about 0.40, and y is within a range from about 0.30 to about 0.50, preferably, from about 0.35 to about 0.50. The interstitial/elemental carbon atomic ratio may be about 3, about 4, or greater. The composition further may have a sheet resistance within a range from about 1×104 ?/sq to about 1×106 ?/sq.

Abstract: The conductive polymer of the present invention is prepared by means of oxidation polymerization. On the matrix of the conductive polymer, at least one organic sulfonate formed by an anion of an organic sulfonic acid and a cation of other than transition metals is coated. Alternatively, in the matrix of the conductive polymer, at least one organic sulfonate formed by an anion of an organic sulfonic acid and a cation of other than transition metals is included. The conductive polymer of the present invention is excellent in the conductivity, heat resistance and moisture resistance. By using it as a solid electrolyte, a reliable solid electrolytic capacitor can be prepared which is unlikely to decrease the properties when being kept in a hot and humid condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochromic material comprising a proteorhodopsin apoprotein and a retinal analog. In one embodiment, the retinal analog is an azulenic retinoid compound. In another embodiment, the retinal analog is a compound that is structurally similarly to all-trans-retinal. The proteorhodopsin apoprotein and the retinal analog form a photochromic material having different spectral properties from those of a corresponding photochromic material formed by the same proteorhodopsin apoprotein and all-trans-retinal. In one embodiment of the application, the retinal analog-containing proteorhodopsin has an absorbance spectrum that does not overlap significantly with that of all-trans-retinal-containing proteorhodopsin. In another embodiment of the application, the retinal analog-containing proteorhodopsin yields a red-shifted visual chromophore compared with the all-trans-retinal-containing proteorhodopsin chromophore.

Abstract: A fire-retardant coating material includes an intumescent material and a binder. The intumescent material is cured and powdered. The intumescent material includes a hydrocarbon, acid source and blowing agent. The hydrocarbon includes a plurality of alcohol groups. The fire-retardant coating material dries at room temperature.