Abstract: To promote data utilization by providing processed data while leaving a trail that is hardly falsified. A data management server 2000B receives an analysis request, executes an analysis program 2500B, and transfers the analysis request to a data processing server 3000, allowing second data resulting from processing first data to be saved in storage (8160). The data management server 2000B further receives the notification of having processed the first data from the data processing server (8190), generates a transaction indicating the first data having been processed according to the analysis request (8050), and adds the verified transaction as a record in a processing/usage trail management table 11000 as one of distributed shared ledgers (8070).

Abstract: To promote data utilization by providing processed data while leaving a trail that is hardly falsified. A data management server 2000B receives an analysis request, executes an analysis program 2500B, and transfers the analysis request to a data processing server 3000, allowing second data resulting from processing first data to be saved in storage (8160). The data management server 2000B further receives the notification of having processed the first data from the data processing server (8190), generates a transaction indicating the first data having been processed according to the analysis request (8050), and adds the verified transaction as a record in a processing/usage trail management table 11000 as one of distributed shared ledgers (8070).

Abstract: The mass spectrometry device includes: a sample container for containing a sample; a heater for heating the sample container; an ion source for ionizing the sample vaporized in the sample container by being heated by the heater; an introduction unit that includes a valve, and that introduces the vaporized sample in the sample container into the ion source; a mass spectrometry unit that includes a vacuum chamber, and to which ions generated in the ion source are introduced; a vacuometer for measuring a degree of vacuum of the vacuum chamber; and a controller that controls the valve to intermittently introduce the vaporized sample in the sample container into the ion source. The controller controls an open time of the valve according to the degree of vacuum of the vacuum chamber that varies as a result of the ions being intermittently introduced into the mass spectrometry unit.

Abstract: A measurement state in a mass spectrometer device is determined so that the measurement method for the next round of measurement can be automatically determined. The mass spectrometer device (1) is provided with: a first calculation unit (6) that calculates the total amount of ion in a mass spectrum; a second calculation unit (6) that calculates the half-value width of a representative peak selected from peaks appearing in the mass spectrum; and a control unit (7) that determines the measurement method for use in the next round of measurement on the basis of the total amount of ion and the half-value width of the representative peak.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that exhibits high energy density and excellent cycle characteristics, as well as a cathode for use in such a battery, and a cathode active material for use in such a cathode. The cathode active material of the present invention has a composition represented by the formula (1) and a crystallite size in the (110) plane of not smaller than 85 nm: LixCo1-y-zNbyMzO2??(1) wherein M stands for at least one element selected from Mg, Y, rare earth elements, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Sn, N, S, F, and Cl; and 0.9?x?1.1, 0.0002?y?0.01, and 0?z?0.05.

Abstract: There is a tendency of the intensity and the shape of a spectrum to be measured transitioning with the passage of measured time, depending on the volatility and the reactivity of a component. A mass spectrometric system includes: a mass spectrometric unit that measures a specimen and outputs a mass spectrum; and an estimator that has an estimation rule on content information, the estimation rule being assigned to each component and each measurement time. The estimator estimates, based on a mass spectrum output from the mass spectrometric unit, content information on each component of a plurality of components that may be contained in the specimen in accordance with the estimation rule.

Abstract: A measurement state in a mass spectrometer device is determined so that the measurement method for the next round of measurement can be automatically determined. The mass spectrometer device (1) is provided with: a first calculation unit (6) that calculates the total amount of ion in a mass spectrum; a second calculation unit (6) that calculates the half-value width of a representative peak selected from peaks appearing in the mass spectrum; and a control unit (7) that determines the measurement method for use in the next round of measurement on the basis of the total amount of ion and the half-value width of the representative peak.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries which allows production of batteries having improved load characteristics with stable quality, and also allows production of batteries having high capacity. Also provided are a cathode for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries and a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery. The cathode active material includes secondary particles each composed of a plurality of primary particles, and/or single crystal grains, and has a specific surface area of not smaller than 20 m2/g and smaller than 0.50 m2/g, wherein average number A represented by formula (1) is not less than 1 and not more than 10: A=(m+p)/(m+s) (m: the number of single crystal grains; p: the number of primary particles composing the secondary particles; s: the number of secondary particles).

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that exhibits high energy density and excellent cycle characteristics, as well as a cathode for use in such a battery, and a cathode active material for use in such a cathode. The cathode active material of the present invention has a composition represented by the formula (1) and a crystallite size in the (110) plane of not smaller than 85 nm: LixCo1-y-zNbyMzO2 ??(1) wherein M stands for at least one element selected from Mg, Y, rare earth elements, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Sn, N, S, F, and Cl; and 0.9?x?1.1, 0.0002?y?0.01, and 0?z?0.05.

Abstract: There is a tendency of the intensity and the shape of a spectrum to be measured transitioning with the passage of measured time, depending on the volatility and the reactivity of a component. A mass spectrometric system includes: a mass spectrometric unit that measures a specimen and outputs a mass spectrum; and an estimator that has an estimation rule on content information, the estimation rule being assigned to each component and each measurement time. The estimator estimates, based on a mass spectrum output from the mass spectrometric unit, content information on each component of a plurality of components that may be contained in the specimen in accordance with the estimation rule.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method whereby predetermined ions are isolated and ions to be left in an ion trap are left at the time of performing mass spectrometry using the ion trap. In order to have high ion isolation accuracy and to shorten a time necessary for ion isolation, a first time wherein ions having a lower mass than the ions to be left are isolated is set shorter than a second time wherein ions having a higher mass than the ions to be left are isolated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that exhibits high energy density and excellent cycle characteristics, as well as a cathode for use in such a battery, and a cathode active material for use in such a cathode. The cathode active material of the present invention has a composition represented by the formula (1) and a crystallite size in the (110) plane of not smaller than 85 nm: LixCo1-y-zNbyMzO2??(1) wherein M stands for at least one element selected from Mg, Y, rare earth elements, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Sn, N, S, F, and Cl; and 0.9?x?1.1, 0.0002?y?0.01, and 0?z?0.05.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries which allows production of batteries having improved load characteristics with stable quality, and also allows production of batteries having high capacity. Also provided are a cathode for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries and a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery. The cathode active material includes secondary particles each composed of a plurality of primary particles, and/or single crystal grains, and has a specific surface area of not smaller than 20 m2/g and smaller than 0.50 m2/g, wherein average number A represented by formula (1) is not less than 1 and not more than 10: A=(m+p)/(m+s) (m: the number of single crystal grains; p: the number of primary particles composing the secondary particles; s: the number of secondary particles).

Abstract: A rare earth metal-nickel hydrogen storage alloy of a composition represented by the formula: RNiaMnbCocAldXe (R stands for one or more rare earth elements including Sc and Y, not less than 95 atom % of which is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, and Nd; X stands for one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cu, Zn, V, and Nb; a, b, c, d, and e satisfy the relations of 3.9≦a<6.0, 0.45≦b<1.5, 0.01≦c<0.3, 0.4≦d≦1, 0≦e≦0.2, and 5.2≦a+b+c+d+e≦7.5), the alloy having a matrix of CaCu5 structure, and a Mn-rich secondary phase of 0.3 to 5 &mgr;m finely dispersed in the matrix at surface ratio of 0.3 to 7%; a method for producing the same; and an anode for a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery containing as anode material the hydrogen storage alloy and an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A rare earth metal-nickel hydrogen storage alloy having a composition represented by the formula (1)(R.sub.1-x L.sub.x)(Ni.sub.1-y M.sub.y).sub.z (1)(R: La, Ce, Pr, Nd; L: Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y, Sc, Mg, Ca; M: Co, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zr, Ti, Mo, Si, V, Cr, Nb, Hf, Ta, W, B, C; 0.01.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.1; 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.5; 4.5.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.5.0), the alloy including in an amount of not less than 10 volume % and less than 95 volume % thereof crystals each containing not less than 2 and less than 20 antiphase boundaries extending perpendicular to C-axis of a crystal grain of the alloy per 20 nm along the C-axis, not less than 60% and less than 95% of added amount of said element represented by L in the formula (1) being arranged in antiphase areas, a method for producing the same, and an anode for a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery. The anode for a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery can improve initial activity, battery capacity, and battery life all at the same time.

Abstract: A rare earth metal-nickel hydrogen storage alloy having a composition represented by the formula (1) (R.sub.1-x L.sub.x) (Ni.sub.1-y M.sub.y).sub.z . . . (1) (R: La, Ce, Pr, Nd; L: Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y, Sc, Mg, Ca; M: Co, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zr, Ti, Mo, Si, V, Cr, Nb, Hf, Ta, W, B, C; 0.05.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.4, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.5, 3.0.ltoreq.z<4.5), the alloy including in an amount of not less than 30 volume % and less than 95 volume % thereof crystals each containing not less than 5 and less than 25 antiphase boundaries extending perpendicular to C-axis of a crystal grain of the alloy per 20 nm along the C-axis, not less than 60% and less than 95% of added amount of the element represented by L in the formula (1) being arranged in antiphase areas, and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A rare earth metal-nickel hydrogen storage alloy having a composition represented by the formula (1)RNi.sub.x-y M.sub.y (1)(wherein R stands for La, Ce, Pr, Nd, or mixtures thereof, M stands for Co, Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zr, Ti, Mo, Si, V, Cr, Nb, Hf, Ta, W, B, C, or mixtures thereof, x satisfies the formula of 3.5.ltoreq.x<5, and y satisfies the formula of 0<y.ltoreq.2, crystals in the alloy having a LaNi.sub.5 type single phase structure, the alloy including in an amount of not less than 5 volume % and less than 95 volume % thereof crystals each containing not less than 2 and less than 17 antiphase boundaries extending perpendicular to C-axis of a grain of the crystal in the alloy per 20 nm along the C-axis, a method of producing the same, and an anode for a nickel hydrogen rechargeable battery containing as an anode material the above rare earth metal-nickel hydrogen storage alloy and an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A method of recovering a reusable metal from a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery characterized in that the method comprises crushing the nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery to obtain a crushed material, separating alkali, organic substances and iron from the crushed material to obtain a separated component from which at least the alkali, organic substances and iron are separated, obtaining the reusable metal to be recovered as an oxide from the separated component by calcination, and processing the oxide by a molten salt electrolysis method with an electrolytic molten salt bath. According to this method for recovery, electrode materials effective for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries and the like can be recovered efficiently and in a large amount in lower cost compared to the ordinary separation, purification and refining utilizing chemical processing.