Abstract: There is provided a processing apparatus for forming a film with a plasma. The processing apparatus comprises: a processing container, having a ceramic sprayed coating on an inner wall on which an antenna that radiates microwaves is arranged, configured to accommodate a substrate; a mounting table configured to mount the substrate in the processing container; and a controller configured to perform a precoating process of coating a surface of the ceramic sprayed coating with a first carbon film with a plasma of a first carbon-containing gas at a first pressure and a film forming process of forming a second carbon film on the substrate with a plasma of a second carbon-containing gas at a second pressure.

Abstract: In a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, a negative electrode mix layer includes a first layer and a second layer disposed successively from a negative electrode collector. The first layer contains a first carbon-based active material having a 10% compressive strength of 3 MPa or less and a silicon-based active material containing Si. The second layer contains a second carbon-based active material having a 10% compressive strength of 5 MPa or more and has a lower content (mass ratio) of the silicon-based active material than the first layer.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, said negative electrode comprising a negative-electrode current collector, and a negative-electrode active material layer provided upon the negative-electrode current collector, wherein the negative-electrode active material layer includes a negative-electrode active material and a styrene-butadiene rubber, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the styrene-butadiene rubber in an area that extends 10% in the thickness direction from the surface of the reverse side of the negative-electrode active material layer from the negative-electrode current collector is higher than that of the styrene-butadiene rubber in an area that extends 10% in the thickness direction from the surface of the negative-electrode current collector side of the negative-electrode active material layer.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, said negative electrode comprising a negative-electrode current collector, and a negative-electrode active material layer provided upon the negative-electrode current collector, wherein the negative-electrode active material layer includes a negative-electrode active material and carboxymethyl cellulose, wherein the molecular weight of the carboxymethyl cellulose in an area that extends 10% in the thickness direction from the surface of the negative-electrode current collector side of the negative-electrode active material layer is smaller than that of the carboxymethyl cellulose in an area that extends 10% in the thickness direction from the surface of the reverse side of the negative-electrode active material layer from the negative-electrode current collector.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, said negative electrode comprising a negative-electrode current collector, and a negative-electrode active material layer provided upon the negative-electrode current collector, wherein the negative-electrode active material layer includes a negative-electrode active material and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and an area that extends 10% in the thickness direction from the surface of the reverse side of the negative-electrode active material layer from the negative-electrode current collector has a higher polyvinylpyrrolidone content than an area that extends 10% in the thickness direction from the surface of the negative-electrode current collector side of the negative-electrode active material layer.

Abstract: In a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, a negative electrode mix layer includes a first layer and a second layer disposed successively from a negative electrode collector. The first layer contains a first carbon-based active material having a 10% compressive strength of 3 MPa or less and a silicon-based active material containing Si. The second layer contains a second carbon-based active material having a 10% compressive strength of 5 MPa or more and has a lower content (mass ratio) of the silicon-based active material than the first layer.

Abstract: An ETC (electronic toll collection) system includes an antenna having a predetermined directivity for providing a limited radio-communication service zone. A vehicle sensor operates for detecting a vehicle which reaches a predetermined position in the limited radio-communication service zone. A radio signal is transmitted via the antenna. A decision is made as to whether or not a radio response to the radio signal is received via the antenna. In cases where a radio response to the radio signal is received, it is judged that there is an ETC vehicle incoming. In cases where the vehicle sensor detects a vehicle while a radio response to the radio signal is not received, it is judged that there is a non-ETC vehicle incoming.

Abstract: A hydraulic blasting apparatus has an abrasive storage tank disposed operatively between an abrasive recovery tank and a hydraulic pressurized tank. The abrasive storage tank is provided with a first valve openable from the inside of the storage tank to the atmospheric pressure, and also with a second valve to open the connection between the storage tank and the recovery tank and with a third valve to open the connection between the storage tank and the pressurized tank. The pressure in the abrasive storage tank will become the same as the atmospheric pressure by opening the first valve. Next the first and second valve are closed, and after that the third valve is opened so as to drop the abrasive only into the pressurized abrasive tank for a recycle use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding torch for welding underwater and to a method of underwater welding using the welding torch. A high speed stream of water is directed from a nozzle on the welding torch obliquely onto a member or members to be welded to form a flared-out curtain of water. Gas is injected into the volume enclosed by the curtain of water to create a gaseous atmosphere and welding is carried out in the gaseous atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding torch for welding underwater and to a method of underwater welding using the welding torch. A high speed stream of water is directed from a nozzle on the welding torch obliquely onto a member or members to be welded to form a flared-out curtain of water. Gas is injected into the volume enclosed by the curtain of water to create a gaseous atmosphere and welding is carried out in the gaseous atmosphere.