Abstract: When the degree of matching between patterns decreases due to a pattern fluctuation or an appearance fluctuation that has occurred during manufacturing steps, a heavy work burden would be placed on an operator. A data processing unit of a pattern matching apparatus calculates a threshold for determination of matching between a first template image and a partial region of a search target image obtained by capturing an image of the surface of a sample, on the basis of a result of evaluation of a similarity between the search target image and a second template image, the second template image having been captured in a wider range than the first template image.

Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an anode material which enhances the reversibility of the conversion reaction and the cycle characteristics of lithium secondary batteries. The object is attained by providing a method for producing an anode material that is used in a lithium secondary battery, comprising a mechanical milling step of micronizing a raw material composition containing MgH2 by mechanical milling.

Abstract: An anode material for use in a metal secondary battery contains MgH2, and a metal catalyst which is in contact with the MgH2 and improves the reversibility of a conversion reaction. The metal secondary battery includes a cathode active material layer, an anode active material layer, and an electrolyte layer that is formed between the cathode active material layer and the anode active material layer, and the anode active material layer contains the anode material. A method for the production of an anode material for use in a metal secondary battery includes a contacting step of contacting MgH2 with a metal catalyst which improves the reversibility of a conversion reaction.

Abstract: An image data processing system has a learning storage apparatus that stores projection matrixes obtained by canonical correlation analysis so as to derive, based on at least one of an image feature and a word feature, a latent variable as an abstract concept used for associating an image with a word corresponding thereto and that further stores information required for obtaining the latent variable acquired by use of the projection matrixes, a probability of occurrence of an arbitrary image feature from a certain latent variable and a probability of occurrence of an arbitrary word feature from a certain latent variable. In this way, a probability of the image feature and word feature being simultaneously outputted can be easily and quickly determined, thereby executing a high-speed annotation or retrieval with high precision.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery (10) provided by the present invention has an iron oxide film-coated electrode employing a configuration in which an iron oxide film (144) capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium is retained on an electrically conductive base (142). The electrically conductive base (142) has a roughened surface having a surface roughness Rz of 3 ?m or more, and the iron oxide film (144) is provided on the roughened surface.

Abstract: An image data processing system has a learning storage apparatus that stores projection matrixes obtained by canonical correlation analysis so as to derive, based on at least one of an image feature and a word feature, a latent variable as an abstract concept used for associating an image with a word corresponding thereto and that further stores information required for obtaining the latent variable acquired by use of the projection matrixes, a probability of occurrence of an arbitrary image feature from a certain latent variable and a probability of occurrence of an arbitrary word feature from a certain latent variable. In this way, a probability of the image feature and word feature being simultaneously outputted can be easily and quickly determined, thereby executing a high-speed annotation or retrieval with high precision.

Abstract: There is provided a first method of preparing a genome library in which PCR is carried out with the use of genomic DNA of target biological species per se or fragment thereof as a direct template and with the use of random primer or one type of primer of specified sequence so as to effect genome amplification, thereby obtaining a genuine library. There is further provided a second method of preparing a genome library in which genome of target biological species is pretreated and thereafter PCR is carried out with the use of one type of primer of inherent sequence so as to effect genome amplification, thereby obtaining a genome library. In both of the methods, a genome library can be prepared conveniently from a minute amount of sample.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic generator apparatus has: a burner that is supplied with a fuel and an air, and burns the fuel; an emitter heated by combustion heat produced by the burner; a photoelectric conversion cell that converts radiant light from the emitter into electric power; and a cell holder portion that holds the photoelectric conversion cell. A cooling device is provided for causing a cooling liquid to receive heat from the photoelectric conversion cell by contacting the cooling liquid and a back surface of the cell holder portion with each other. A surface of the cell holder portion that contacts the cooling liquid is a non-horizontal surface. The apparatus employs at least two kinds of cooling liquids.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic power generating apparatus has a combustor for burning a fuel upon supply of the fuel and air, an emitter heated by passage therein of combustion gas produced in the combustor, and a photoelectric conversion element that converts light radiated from the emitter into electric power, the combustor being provided between the emitter and the conversion element. Preferably, the emitter is disposed above the combustor, and the photoelectric conversion element is disposed below the combustor. With this structure, combustion gas does not reside in the combustion chamber, but is discharged via the emitter disposed above the combustor. Combustion becomes stable, and the emitter is efficiently heated, so that energy radiated from the emitter surface increases.

Abstract: A photothermal power generation device designed to heat an emitter receives a supply of fuel and air, burns the fuel to produce combustion gas, and converts light emitted from the emitter into electric power by means of a photoelectric conversion element. The device is provided with a flow resistance adjusting unit for adjusting a flow resistance of the combustion gas in the emitter in accordance with a state of combustion gas, a combustor fire vent adjusting unit for adjusting the shapes of, or a number of, fire vents formed in the combustor in accordance with a required output, or a discharge state adjusting unit for adjusting a discharge state of exhaust gas in accordance with a state of the combustion gas. This photothermal power generation device provides uniform light-emitting intensity and enhances power generation efficiency.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic power generating apparatus that heats an emitter by a combustion gas produced by fuel and air, and converts light radiated from the emitter into electric power by using photoelectric conversion elements. An air pipe is disposed in an internal hollow portion of the emitter, and a combustion gas supplier for supplying the combustion gas toward the emitter is disposed outside the emitter. The photoelectric conversion elements that receive radiated light are disposed further outside of the emitter. Therefore, residual heat of the combustion gas that has heated the emitter is utilized to heat the air needed for the combustion of fuel, and light radiated from the heated emitter is received by the photoelectric conversion elements. Thus, electric power generating efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic generator apparatus has: a burner that is supplied with a fuel and an air, and burns the fuel; an emitter heated by combustion heat produced by the burner; a photoelectric conversion cell that converts radiant light from the emitter into electric power; and a cell holder portion that holds the photoelectric conversion cell. A cooling device is provided for causing a cooling liquid to receive heat from the photoelectric conversion cell by contacting the cooling liquid and a back surface of the cell holder portion with each other. A surface of the cell holder portion that contacts the cooling liquid is a non-horizontal surface. The apparatus employs at least two kinds of cooling liquids.

Abstract: A photothermal power generation device designed to heat an emitter receives a supply of fuel and air, burns the fuel to produce combustion gas, and converts light emitted from the emitter into electric power by means of a photoelectric conversion element. The device is provided with a flow resistance adjusting unit for adjusting a flow resistance of the combustion gas in the emitter in accordance with a state of combustion gas, a combustor fire vent adjusting unit for adjusting the shapes of, or a number of, fire vents formed in the combustor in accordance with a required output, or a discharge state adjusting unit for adjusting a discharge state of exhaust gas in accordance with a state of the combustion gas. This photothermal power generation device provides uniform light-emitting intensity and enhances power generation efficiency.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic power generating apparatus has a combustor for burning a fuel upon supply of the fuel and air, an emitter heated by passage therein of combustion gas produced in the combustor, and a photoelectric conversion element that converts light radiated from the emitter into electric power, the combustor being provided between the emitter and the conversion element. Preferably, the emitter is disposed above the combustor, and the photoelectric conversion element is disposed below the combustor. With this structure, combustion gas does not reside in the combustion chamber, but is discharged via the emitter disposed above the combustor. Combustion becomes stable, and the emitter is efficiently heated, so that energy radiated from the emitter surface increases.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic power generating apparatus that heats an emitter by a combustion gas produced by fuel and air, and converts light radiated from the emitter into electric power by using photoelectric conversion elements. An air pipe is disposed in an internal hollow portion of the emitter, and a combustion gas supplier for supplying the combustion gas toward the emitter is disposed outside the emitter. The photoelectric conversion elements that receive radiated light are disposed further outside of the emitter. Therefore, residual heat of the combustion gas that has heated the emitter is utilized to heat the air needed for the combustion of fuel, and light radiated from the heated emitter is received by the photoelectric conversion elements. Thus, electric power generating efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A ceramic electronic part includes at least one chip ceramic electronic part body having terminal electrodes and terminals provided on both sides. Each terminal is composed of a metal plate bent into a u shape. The outer face of a first leg of each bent terminal faces and is attached to a terminal electrode, and a second leg is attached to a substrate. The inner face of the bent terminal is provided with a solder-phobic surface not having affinity for solder, and the outer face of the bent terminal is provided with a solder-philic surface having high affinity for solder.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nonlinear optical thin film of a silica glass system with sufficient nonlinear optical characteristics, in which a glass substrate 12 is disposed within a vacuum deposition chamber 10 and an electron beam is applied to a SiO2—GeO2-system glass placed on a hearth liner 14 to form a SiO2—GeO2-system thin film on the surface of the substrate 12. In an application of this method, ions of argon, for example, are emitted from an ion source to produce dipoles in the deposited SiO2—GeO2-system thin film. By applying an electric field to the SiO2—GeO2-system thin film thus formed, the dipoles are oriented to let the thin film exhibit nonlinear optical characteristics.

Abstract: A ceramic electronic part includes at least one chip ceramic electronic part body having terminal electrodes and terminals provided on both sides. Each terminal is composed of a metal plate bent into a U shape. The outer face of a first leg of each bent terminal faces and is attached to a terminal electrode, and a second leg is attached to a substrate. The inner face of the bent terminal is provided with a solder-phobic surface not having affinity for solder, and the outer face of the bent terminal is provided with a solder-philic surface having high affinity for solder.