Abstract: A rapid, efficient and convenient method to detect one or more biological entities on a blotting membrane is provided. The detection can relate to the position, nature or amount of the biological substance on one or more membranes. The invention method involves a pressure assisted regiment (such as vacuum or positive gas pressure) for the supply and removal of reagents and permits washing of the contaminants from substances embedded in the membrane to be detected using very low volumes of liquid. This method enables completion of the blocking, washing and antibody binding steps in about 30 minutes without comprising blot quality. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus useful in conducting the method of the invention.

Abstract: A rapid, efficient and convenient method to detect one or more biological entities on a blotting membrane is provided. The detection can relate to the position, nature or amount of the biological substance on one or more membranes. The invention method involves a pressure assisted regiment (such as vacuum or positive gas pressure) for the supply and removal of reagents and permits washing of the contaminants from substances embedded in the membrane to be detected using very low volumes of liquid. This method enables completion of the blocking, washing and antibody binding steps in about 30 minutes without comprising blot quality. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus useful in conducting the method of the invention.

Abstract: A fuel cell system which prevents a reduction in catalyst activity, wherein at least one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer includes a core-shell type catalyst particle having a core portion including a core metallic material and a shell portion covering the core portion and including a shell metallic material; and wherein the fuel cell system has: a means for storing an initial value of a ratio of the core metallic material to a surface area of the core-shell type catalyst particle, and a means for determining whether or not the ratio of the core metallic material to the surface area of the core-shell type catalyst particle is increased at a predetermined stage, compared to the initial value.

Abstract: The present invention provides core-shell type metal nanoparticles having a high surface coverage of the core portion with the shell portion, and a method for producing the same. Disclosed is core-shell type metal nanoparticles comprising a core portion comprising a core metal material and a shell portion covering the core portion, wherein the core portion substantially has no {100 } plane of the core metal material on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell including a single fuel cell which includes a membrane electrode including a polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode on one surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode electrode on another surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane, the anode electrode including an anode catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer and the cathode electrode including a cathode catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. At least one of the anode cathode catalyst layers includes core-shell type catalyst particles, each having a core and a shell covering the core and including a shell metallic material. At least one of the polymer electrolyte membrane, anode catalyst layer, gas diffusion layer at the anode side, cathode catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer at the cathode side includes metallic nanoparticles having an average particle diameter different from that of the core-shell type catalyst particles and including the shell metallic material.

Abstract: Core-shell type metal nanoparticles including a core portion and a shell portion covering the core portion, wherein the core portion includes a core metal material selected from metals and alloys, and wherein the shell portion includes an alloy of a first shell metal material and a second shell metal material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst particle having high catalyst activity and a method for producing the catalyst particle. A catalyst particle comprising a core particle which contains a palladium alloy and an outermost layer which contains platinum, wherein an interlayer comprising only palladium as a simple substance is present between the core particle and the outermost layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a core-shell catalyst particle, the method including: preparing a core particle that contains an alloy including a first core metal having a standard electrode potential of at least 0.6 V and a second core metal having a standard electrode potential lower than that of the first core metal; eluting the second core metal at least at a surface of the core particle, the elution being carried out under conditions at which an equilibrium is maintained for the first core metal between a metal state and a hydroxide and at which an equilibrium is maintained for the second core metal between a metal state and a metal ion; and, with the core particle being designed as a core portion, coating this core portion with a shell portion after the elution of the second core metal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus useful in conducting detection of compounds on blotting membranes. The device is comprised of several layers including a porous support layer below the blotting membrane(s), a flow distributor above the blotting membrane(s) and optionally a well on the flow distributor to contain the liquid to the desired area and to allow for lower starting volumes of such liquid. Preferably, the flow distributor is a non-binding or low binding hydrophilic porous membrane such as a 0.22 micron membrane and the support layer is a grid or sintered porous material. The distributor and support are held together to form an envelope around the membrane(s). The use of a hinge, clips and other such devices is preferred in doing so.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell which is capable of improving electric power generation efficiency at a time of high-temperature operation. The fuel cell 10 comprising: a membrane electrode assembly 4; and a pair of gas separators 7, 8 sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly 4 therebetween, wherein at least one of the gas separator(s) 7 and/or 8 comprises a compact layer(s) 7c and/or 8c which is capable of preventing permeation of fluid and a porous layer (s) 7d and/or 8d which allows permeation of fluid, and the porous layer(s) 7d and/or 8d is impregnated with a water-soluble liquid having higher boiling point than that of water.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus useful in conducting detection of compounds on blotting membranes. The device is comprised of several layers including a porous support layer below the blotting membrane(s), a flow distributor above the blotting membrane(s) and optionally a well on the flow distributor to contain the liquid to the desired area and to allow for lower starting volumes of such liquid. Preferably, the flow distributor is a non-binding or low binding hydrophilic porous membrane such as a 0.22 micron membrane and the support layer is a grid or sintered porous material. The distributor and support are held together to form an envelope around the membrane(s). The use of a hinge, clips, and other such devices is preferred in doing so.

Abstract: A particle size distribution creating method includes a particle size range determining step, an integrating step of integrating the frequency of appearance of particles within the particle size range determined in the particle size range determining step, a division point determining step of determining particle sizes that provide division points, using the integral of the frequency of appearance obtained in the integrating step, and a typical point determining step of determining the minimum particle size, maximum particle size and the particle sizes of the division points as typical points.

Abstract: The performance of an electrolyte membrane (21) is improved by imparting aeolotropy to physical properties of the electrolyte membrane (21). A first state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) containing a polymer having an ion-exchange group is softened, melted of dissolved, whereby a second state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) is formed. Then, the second state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) is cooled, while a strong magnetic field is applied to the second state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) in a predetermined direction, whereby the second state solid polymer electrolyte membrane (21) is hardened or solidified. As a result, the ion-conductivity in a membrane thickness direction can be improved in a fluorinated electrolyte membrane, and swelling in the membrane surface direction can be suppressed in an aromatic hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A rapid, efficient and convenient method to detect one or more biological entities on a blotting membrane is provided. The detection can relate to the position, nature or amount of the biological substance on one or more membranes. The invention method involves a pressure assisted regiment (such as vacuum or positive gas pressure) for the supply and removal of reagents and permits washing of the contaminants from substances embedded in the membrane to be detected using very low volumes of liquid. This method enables completion of the blocking, washing and antibody binding steps in about 30 minutes without comprising blot quality. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus useful in conducting the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus useful in conducting detection of compounds on blotting membranes. The device is comprised of several layers including a porous support layer below the blotting membrane(s), a flow distributor above the blotting membrane(s) and optionally a well on the flow distributor to contain the liquid to the desired area and to allow for lower starting volumes of such liquid. Preferably, the flow distributor is a non-binding or low binding hydrophilic porous membrane such as a 0.22 micron membrane and the support layer is a grid or sintered porous material. The distributor and support are held together to form an envelope around the membrane(s). The use of a hinge, clips and other such devices is preferred in doing so.