Abstract: An actuator includes a spirally rolled cylindrical sheet body. The sheet body is formed by attaching an electrode on each side of a dielectric elastomer layer. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, the sheet body is contracted along the direction of its thickness, and expanded in directions perpendicular to its thickness. The actuator is actuated by applying a voltage to the electrodes and stopping the voltage application, so that the cylindrical sheet body is extended and contracted along the direction of the axis. The material forming the dielectric elastomer layer has a low strain region, where the value of a strain based on a stress acting on the dielectric elastomer layer varies from zero to a value that is greater than and close to zero, and a high strain region, where the value of the strain is greater than that in the low strain region. The Young's modulus in the low strain region is less than the Young's modulus in the high strain region.

Abstract: An infrared reflecting device includes a multi-layer infrared reflecting body composed of a plurality of superimposed infrared reflecting members, and temperature-sensitive members positioned surrounding the side faces of the multi-layer infrared reflecting body. The infrared reflecting member includes colloidal crystal particles arrayed at regular lattice spacing, and a filler interposed between the colloidal crystal particles. Depending on temperature, the temperature-sensitive members supply the filler with moisture, and the lattice spacing of the colloidal crystal particles changes due to swelling of the filler. Since lattice spacing changes the reflected wavelength from the ultraviolet region to the infrared region on the basis of Bragg's law and Snell's law, the amount of transmitted infrared radiation can be adjusted efficiently.

Abstract: A dielectric actuator 1 of the present invention has a structure in which an elastic, high-dielectric material portion 2 is held by elastic insulating material portions 3a and 3b and the elastic insulating material portions are held by electrodes 4a and 4b from the outside. A base material for the elastic, high-dielectric material portion 2 is formed of a silicon rubber and a graphite powder is mixed therein to apply a conductive property.

Abstract: A picture display device includes display elements reflecting specific wavelengths of visible light; and shape deformation portions for inducing elastic deformation of the display elements. The individual display elements have colloidal particles arrayed at regular spacing, and an elastically deformable filler material intervening between the colloidal particles. The shape deformation portion includes a shape retention component formed of a material capable of reversible plastic deformation by external force.

Abstract: An actuator includes a spirally rolled cylindrical sheet body. The sheet body is formed by attaching an electrode on each side of a dielectric elastomer layer. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, the sheet body is contracted along the direction of its thickness, and expanded in directions perpendicular to its thickness. The actuator is actuated by applying a voltage to the electrodes and stopping the voltage application, so that the cylindrical sheet body is extended and contracted along the direction of the axis. The material forming the dielectric elastomer layer has a low strain region, where the value of a strain based on a stress acting on the dielectric elastomer layer varies from zero to a value that is greater than and close to zero, and a high strain region, where the value of the strain is greater than that in the low strain region. The Young's modulus in the low strain region is less than the Young's modulus in the high strain region.

Abstract: A picture display device includes display elements reflecting specific wavelengths of visible light; and shape deformation portions for inducing elastic deformation of the display elements. The individual display elements have colloidal particles arrayed at regular spacing, and an elastically deformable filler material intervening between the colloidal particles. The shape deformation portion includes a shape retention component formed of a material capable of reversible plastic deformation by external force.

Abstract: The infrared reflecting device comprises a multi-layer infrared reflecting body composed of a plurality of superimposed infrared reflecting members, and temperature-sensitive members positioned surrounding the side faces of the multi-layer infrared reflecting body. The infrared reflecting member comprises colloidal crystal particles arrayed at regular lattice spacing, and a filler interposed between the colloidal crystal particles. Depending on temperature, the temperature-sensitive members supply the filler with moisture, and the lattice spacing of the colloidal crystal particles changes due to swelling of the filler. Since lattice spacing changes the reflected wavelength from the ultraviolet region to the infrared region on the basis of Bragg's law and Snell's law, the amount of transmitted infrared radiation can be adjusted efficiently.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a layer of plating on a base material and a method for manufacturing a three dimensional object. The plating apparatus includes a nozzle for delivering a stream of plating fluid and an electric source for applying a voltage between the base material and the nozzle. The nozzle has an outer wall and a stem located at its center. The nozzle delivers plating fluid from the opening of the nozzle in an annular manner to produce a stream that has a substantially uniform flow velocity when the stream hits the base material. In an another embodiment, the nozzle has surrounding conduit for conducting air. The air increases the velocity of a peripheral portion of the stream. To manufacture a three dimensional object, a plating layer is deposited, and the nozzle is moved to form a desired shape while piling the layer.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure including at least a plating film disposed on a substrate having at least a surface portion formed from a metallic base material. The method includes the steps of discharging a composite plating solution containing insoluble particles from a nozzle and impacting the composite plating solution on the surface portion of the substrate at a predetermined flow rate. During at least a portion of the discharging and impacting steps, the surface portion of the substrate is abraded with the insoluble particles in the plating solution discharged from the nozzle. A voltage can be applied between the base material and the nozzle, which are electrically connected by the plating solution, to thereby deposit a plating film on the surface portion of the substrate by electroplating.

Abstract: A composite plating film is prepared from a composite plating solution containing a metal matrix and insoluble particles 4 dispersed therein or deposited therewith. The composite plating film has a non-uniform concentration of insoluble particles along a direction of the thickness of the composite film. The non-uniform concentration is achieved by changing the discharge rate of composite plating solution during deposition of the film on the base material.

Abstract: A longitudinal-stripe lenticular lens screen and a transverse-stripe lenticular lens screen are superposed, and a light diffusing agent is mixed only in the longitudinal-stripe lenticular lens screen. Therefore, the light transmittance is high although the angle of view can be three-dimensionally widened by the two lenticular lens screens. In addition, since scan lines of an image are blurred by two diffusion planes, Moire becomes inconspicuous.

Abstract: A longitudinal-stripe lenticular lens screen and a transverse-stripe lenticular lens screen are superposed, and a light diffusing agent is mixed only in the longitudinal-stripe lenticular lens screen. Therefore, the light transmittance is high although the angle of view can be three-dimensionally widened by the two lenticular lens screens. In addition, since scan lines of an image are blurred by two diffusion planes, Moire becomes inconspicuous.

Abstract: During the manufacture of an I.sup.2 L device, to achieve diffusion steps for a collector region and a collar region at the same time, polycrystal silicon is deposited over the whole surface of the collector region and then an impurity is diffused simultaneously into the collector region and the collar region.