Abstract: A method for making a dye-sensitized solar cell having a semiconductor film that exhibits high power generating efficiency and that can be formed at relatively low temperature is provided. Titanium oxide paste is applied and dried on a transparent conductive film 2 to form a titanium oxide layer. An aqueous peroxotitanic acid solution 11 is dropwise-placed and heated on the titanium oxide layer. During this process, the aqueous peroxotitanic acid solution penetrates sites on which titanium oxide particles 10 are not adsorbed on the transparent conductive film 2, and the aqueous peroxotitanic acid solution 11 reacts to generate titanium oxide 11A. The titanium oxide 11A is generated at gaps s,t between the titanium oxide particles 10 to form tight linkages between titanium oxide particles 10, resulting in high power generating efficiency.

Abstract: An acid-resistant transparent electroconductive substrate with an ITO layer includes a transparent base and the ITO layer formed over the transparent base. The ITO layer contains at least 30 percent by weight of tin oxide. A dye-sensitized solar cell electrode includes the transparent electroconductive substrate and a dye-adsorbed semiconductor layer formed over the ITO layer of the transparent electroconductive substrate. A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided which uses the dye-sensitized solar cell electrode as a dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode. A SnO2 content of 30 percent by weight or more enhances acid resistance. The dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode for the dye-sensitized solar cell is prepared by forming a layer-by-layer self-assembled film on the ITO layer by a layer-by-layer assembly technique, forming a replica layer by acid-treating the layer-by-layer self-assembled film to form irregularities, and forming a semiconductor layer on the replica layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a porous thin film is characterized by formation of a composite thin film on a substrate, in which film a metal portion composed of a first metal component and a metal compound portion composed of a compound of a second metal component which is different from the first metal component are mixed-dispersed, and following lo removal of the metal portion from the composite thin film. A method for forming a porous thin film is alternatively characterized by formation of a composite thin film on a substrate, in which film a first metal portion composed of a first metal component and a second metal portion composed of a second metal component which is different from the first metal component are mixed-dispersed, and following removal of either one of the metal portions from the composite thin film.

Abstract: An electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells, wherein an oxidation-reduction substance is carried by a vulcanized rubber, a phosphazene polymer, a porous body comprising a high molecular material which has a three-dimensional continuous network skeleton structure, or an EVA resin film. A dye-sensitized solar cell comprising dye-sensitized semiconductor electrodes 2, 3, a counter electrode 4 arranged at an opposed position to the electrodes, and an electrolyte 6 between the electrodes 2, 3 and the electrode 4. A solid electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells effective in improving the generation efficiency, durability, and safety of dye-sensitized solar cells and can be manufactured inexpensively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a linear light emitter having a translucent rod-shaped body which has a light incident portion at least at one end thereof and which has, on a peripheral side surface running along an axial direction, a light reflecting layer reflecting incident light from the light incident portion, in which the translucent rod-shaped body satisfies a following formula, 0.01?LW/LC?0.2, given that a length of an outer periphery of the translucent rod-shaped body is LC (mm) and a line width of the light reflecting layer is LW (mm) in a cross-section orthogonal to an axial direction of the translucent rod-shaped body.

Abstract: A thin film of a metal compound such as metal oxide, nitride and carbide is formed on a substrate by sputtering a target in vacuum in the presence of an inert gas and a reactive gas. From a curve of an input power supplied from a DC supply to the target versus an input voltage between the target and the substrate, a transition point of input power at which an abrupt change of the input voltage occurs is determined. The input power during sputtering is controlled using the transition point as a reference, thereby controlling the composition or physical properties of the thin film. When a cobalt oxide thin film is formed on a substrate in this way, rubber can be vulcanized thereto to form a firm bond.

Abstract: A thin film of a metal compound such as metal oxide, nitride and carbide is formed on a substrate by sputtering a target in vacuum in the presence of an inert gas and a reactive gas. From a curve of an input power supplied from a DC supply to the target versus an input voltage between the target and the substrate, a transition point of input power at which an abrupt change of the input voltage occurs is determined. The input power during sputtering is controlled using the transition point as a reference, thereby controlling the composition or physical properties of the thin film. When a cobalt oxide thin film is formed on a substrate in this way, rubber can be vulcanized thereto to form a firm bond.

Abstract: A light transmission tube includes a tubular clad and a core section having a higher refractive index than that of the tubular clad, said light transmission tube is characterized in that a belt-like reflecting layer is formed between the tubular clad and the core section, extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular clad, in a manner such that a light passing through the core section is reflected and scatterred by the reflecting layer and then emitted from an outer surface area of the tubular clad, which outer surface area is located opposite to one side of the tubular clad where the reflecting layer has been formed. Further, the reflecting layer may be so formed that a light is allowed to be emitted in a plurality of directions. Moreover, the belt-like reflecting layer may be formed into a spiral configuration. The width of the belt-like reflecting layer may be changed in the longitudinal direction of the light transmission tube. The tubular clad is allowed to have a non-circular cross section.

Abstract: A light transmission tube includes a tubular clad and a core section having a higher refractive index than that of the tubular clad. A belt-like reflecting layer is formed between the tubular clad and the core section, extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular clad, in a manner such that a light passing through the core section is reflected and scatterred by the reflecting layer and then emitted from an outer surface area of the tubular clad, which outer surface area is located opposite to one side of the tubular clad where the reflecting layer has been formed. Further, the reflecting layer may be so formed that a light is allowed to be emitted in a plurality of directions. Moreover, the belt-like reflecting layer may be formed into a spiral configuration. The width of the belt-like reflecting layer may be changed in the longitudinal direction of the light transmission tube. The tubular clad is allowed to have a non-circular cross section.

Abstract: A method of making an optical transmission tube comprises having a tubular clad and a core covered with the tube and having a refractive index higher than the clad. The core has light-scattering particles uniformly dispersed in or throughout the core, so that light passing through the core is reflected and scattered at individual scattering particles to permit the light to be emitted from outer surfaces of the clad.

Abstract: A line glower usable in water, rain, snow or in a place where an explosion may possibly take place, and adapted to work with a small power to emit light from the lateral side thereof. It comprises a light transmission tube including a transparent core and a clad having a smaller refractive index than the core; a water-proof light source disposed at at least one axial end of the light transmission tube; and a drive unit to turn on and off the light source; the light emitted from the light source and incident upon an end of the light transmission tube being let to go out from a lateral side of the tube.

Abstract: In an optical transmission tube comprising a tubular cladding and a core within the cladding having a higher index of refraction than the cladding, a strip-shaped reflecting layer is longitudinally extended between the cladding and the core. Light passing through the core is reflected and scattered by the reflecting layer to emerge from the tube through an area of the outer surface of the cladding opposed to the reflecting layer. The optical transmission tube is prepared by dispersing scattering particles in a monomer solution; filling a tubular cladding with the monomer solution; resting the cladding horizontally for allowing the scattering particles to settle on a lower inner surface of the cladding; and thereafter, causing the monomer solution to polymerize and solidify within the cladding.

Abstract: In an optical waveguide tube comprising a tubular cladding filled with a solid core having a higher refractive index than the cladding, a light transmissive window member is disposed in close contact with at least the end face of the core on a light incident side for protecting the core end face from thermal influence and contamination. Means disposed around the cladding and the window member for securing the window member to the cladding may be a tape wrapped around them or a heat shrinkable sleeve or a ferrule. Alternatively, a ferrule surrounding the outer periphery of the cladding at each end is fastened for securing the cladding to the core at each end for preventing the core from projecting out of the cladding. The ferrule may have a collar disposed in abutment with the core end face.

Abstract: An optical waveguide tube has a transparent core received in a cladding having a lower refractive index than the core. The entire cladding or an inner layer of the cladding fitting on the core is formed of a fluororubber which has been vulcanized by radical crosslinking. The vulcanized fluororubber has a residual halogen atom content of up to 80 ppm. A trapping agent surrounds the cladding for trapping coloring substances. The optical tube maintains satisfactory optical transmission capability over a long time while the core is not colored.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical waveguide tube comprising a tubular cladding filled with a solid core having a higher refractive index than the cladding. In one form, a resin material having a Tg of up to 50.degree. C. and a modulus of elasticity of up to 10.sup.9 dyne/cm.sup.2 is used as the core. In another form, a copolymer of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or a lower alcohol ester thereof with a higher alkyl (meth)acrylate is used as the core, preferably in combination with a phosphate, aromatic carboxylate, aliphatic carboxylic acid, aliphatic carboxylate or glycol. In a third form, such an optical waveguide tube is prepared by filling a hollow tubular transparent cladding having opposite open ends with a liquid monomeric charge and causing the monomeric charge to polymerize while pressurizing the exposed surfaces of the monomeric charge inwardly from the opposite open ends along an axial direction of the cladding, thereby forming a core within the cladding.

Abstract: A light guide includes a hollow tubular cladding of a fluorocarbon resin having a methacrylic or acrylic monomer graft polymerized inner surface. The cladding is integrally filled with a core of a methacrylic or acrylic resin which is polymerized to the graft polymerized surface.

Abstract: A light guide includes a hollow tubular cladding of a fluorocarbon resin having a methacrylic or acrylic monomer graft polymerized inner surface. The cladding is integrally filled with a core of a methacrylic or acrylic resin which is polymerized to the graft polymerized surface.

Abstract: A rubber hose comprising an inner tube of synthetic resin, an optional undercoat of a metal or metal compound dry plated on the inner tube, a metal thin film sputtered or ion plated on the inner tube or undercoat from zinc, copper, cobalt, titanium, or an alloy thereof, and a rubber layer on the metal thin film exhibits low gas and solvent permeability while maintaining flexibility. Also provided is a low permeable rubber hose comprising an inner tube of synthetic resin, a thin film of a metal or metal compound dry plated on the inner tube, and a rubber layer heat cured to the thin film through an adhesive.