Abstract: An image forming device includes a head including a nozzle that discharges an electrically-conductive recording liquid in accordance with a driving signal; an intermediate transfer body on which the recording liquid discharged by the head is applied; a voltage apply unit that applies a voltage between the intermediate transfer body and the head, so as to decompose the electrically-conductive recording liquid by electrolysis; a transfer unit that transfers an image supported on the intermediate transfer body onto a recording material; and a discharging control unit that generates the driving signal that causes the electrically-conductive recording liquid to be discharged from the nozzle. The discharging control unit generates the driving signal so that a position of a meniscus is placed outside the nozzle during a time interval in which the recording liquid temporarily bridges between the head and the intermediate transfer body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a voltage applying unit between a recording head and an intermediate transfer drum is capable of activating polyvalent metal ions inactivated in advance in jetted recording liquid without liquid activators independent of the recording liquid for sufficient flocculation on the drum. When the jetted recording liquid temporarily bridges the head and the drum, electrolysis of the recording liquid by the voltage applied instantly leads to generation of hydrogen ions on the drum, which triggers a sequence of reactions in the recording liquid of activation of polyvalent metal ions, cross-link between the activated polyvalent metal ions and anionic polymer, and increase in viscosity on the drum.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aqueous ink composition, including an aqueous solvent, a coloring agent dissolved or dispersed in the aqueous solvent, an ABA-type amphipathic polymer including a hydrophobic segment A and a hydrophilic segment B, and an anionic surfactant configured to dissolve or disperse the ABA-type amphipathic polymer in the aqueous solvent, wherein a viscosity of the aqueous ink composition is changed depending on a pH thereof.

Abstract: A head cleaning device includes an electrode disposed in a position confronting to a bottom of a head in a cleaning position, the head including nozzles for discharging a water-soluble ink, the electrode being set in a covered state to provide a surface covered with an electrolyte which, when electrolyzed, dissolves the water-soluble ink. A liquid supplying unit supplies the electrolyte to the electrode so that the electrode is set in the covered state. A voltage supplying unit supplies a voltage between the head and the electrode to electrolyze the electrolyte on the surface of the electrode in the covered state.

Abstract: A head cleaning device includes an electrode disposed in a position confronting to a bottom of a head in a cleaning position, the head including nozzles for discharging a water-soluble ink, the electrode being set in a covered state to provide a surface covered with an electrolyte which, when electrolyzed, dissolves the water-soluble ink. A liquid supplying unit supplies the electrolyte to the electrode so that the electrode is set in the covered state. A voltage supplying unit supplies a voltage between the head and the electrode to electrolyze the electrolyte on the surface of the electrode in the covered state.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a recording head having a nozzle capable of ejecting inductive ink including water, a first intermediate transfer body having a conductive surface on which an ink image is to be formed by temporarily forming a liquid-column bridge between the conductive surface and the nozzle, the liquid-column bridge being made of the inductive ink, a voltage application unit applying a voltage between the inductive ink and the conductive surface so that water included in the liquid-column bridge is electrolyzed, and a transfer unit transferring an ink image formed on the first intermediate transfer body to a recording medium.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a lamination body of an electrolytic body and a particle includes the steps of: a) electrostatically charging an electrostatic carrier configured to carry static electricity at a designated polarity; b) contacting the electrostatically charged electrostatic carrier with dispersion liquid formed by dispersing the particle electrostatically charged at a polarity reversed to the designated polarity into a dispersion medium; and c) transferring the particle adhering to the electrostatic carrier to the electrolytic body made of electrolyte.

Abstract: An anode is formed by a metal electrocatalyst including an element mixture made up of platinum and at least one of ruthenium and molybdenum as an active constituent which electrocatalyst is fabricated under vacuum using a vapor phase method, and in this way, the speed of electrode oxidation reaction of alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol may be substantially increased. Also, by using such an electrocatalyst as the anode, a direct alcohol fuel cell with a high output may be realized using alcohol that is not reformed as fuel.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a lamination body of an electrolytic body and a particle includes the steps of: a) electrostatically charging an electrostatic carrier configured to carry static electricity at a designated polarity; b) contacting the electrostatically charged electrostatic carrier with dispersion liquid formed by dispersing the particle electrostatically charged at a polarity reversed to the designated polarity into a dispersion medium; and c) transferring the particle adhering to the electrostatic carrier to the electrolytic body made of electrolyte.