Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell which is good in gas permeability of a diffusion layer, exhibits good discharge of water vapor and a carbon dioxide gas, and can improve output properties. The fuel cell includes a cell (20), which comprises an electrolyte membrane (22), a cathode layer (24) provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane and an anode layer (26) provided on the other side thereof and in which a redox reaction takes place between a fed fuel, such as methane, and an oxidizing agent, such as oxygen, through the electrolyte membrane (22) to generate an electromotive force, and is characterized in that a diffusion layer (24b, 26b), which is composed of a carbon fiber fabric having a protrusion part (24c, 26c) protruded outward from a side face to which a fuel or oxidizing agent will be fed, is provided on at least one of the cathode layer (24) and the anode layer (26).

Abstract: The present invention provides a mat (1, 4) with multiple filing chambers (10a, 40a) charged gel-liked heat medium (12) and expanded by a pressure of the heat medium, wherein the filling chambers in parallel and adjacent to each other. The mat (1, 4) of the invention can keep simply and effectively a whole-body or a part of a patient warm or cool and can also prevent from bed sore.

Abstract: A method for producing L-glutamic acid, comprising inoculating a microorganism having an ability to produce L-glutamic acid, in a liquid medium containing a carbon source and a nitrogen source, conducting continuous L-glutamic acid fermentation in which both a carbon source and a nutrient having an effect of promoting bacterial growth are fed so as to make the microorganism grow, and then collecting L-glutamic acid produced and accumulated in a culture broth.