Abstract: Disclosed is a photovoltaic device 1 including a plurality of cluster power generation sections G (G11, G12, G21, and G22). Each cluster power generation section G includes unitary power generation sections D (D1, D2) connected in series via connection points CP12. The cluster power generation sections G each have at least a predetermined one of the connection points CP12 designated as a specific connection point SP12. The specific connection points SP12 are connected together to link the cluster power generation sections G.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting macrophage activation via modulating PARP9 and/or PARP14 expression or activity, such as small molecules, RNAi and antibodies. Modulating the expression and/or activity of PARP9 and/or PARP14 allows the inhibition of monocytes or macrophage M1 activation and inflammation. Inhibiting undesirable excessive or sustained inflammation found in humans, for the treatment, prevention and/or management of conditions where undesirable excessive or sustained inflammation is known or likely to contribute to the onset, development and/or progression the conditions.

Abstract: A switching circuit (10) is used as a high-side rectifying unit of a boost chopper. The switching circuit (10) includes a low-breakdown voltage transistor (11), a high-breakdown voltage transistor (13) having a drain connected to a drain of the low-breakdown voltage transistor (11), and a diode (high-speed flyback diode) (15) having a cathode connected to a source of the low-breakdown voltage transistor (11) and an anode connected to a source of the high-breakdown voltage transistor (13). Before the generation of a flyback current by the turning off of a low-side transistor (22), the low-breakdown voltage transistor (11) is turned on while the high-breakdown voltage transistor (13) is kept off. After that, the low-side transistor (22) is turned off.

Abstract: A hydrogel liquid precursor includes an inorganic mineral and a monomer, wherein the inorganic mineral accounts for 15 percent by mass or more of the hydrogel liquid precursor, wherein the hydrogel liquid precursor has an initial viscosity of 20 mPa·s or less at 25 degrees C., and wherein the hydrogel liquid precursor has a ratio of a two-week viscosity to the initial viscosity of from 0.90 to 1.10, the two-week viscosity representing a viscosity of the hydrogel liquid precursor at 25 degrees C. after being left at 50 degrees C. for two weeks.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid material for forming a three-dimensional object, the liquid material adapted to be delivered to a powder material for forming a three-dimensional object to harden the powder material, the powder material containing an organic material and a base material, the liquid material including a cross-linking agent cross-linkable with the organic material and a resin having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher or a melting point of 50° C. or higher.

Abstract: A battery pack cooling system includes a plurality of cells disposed in an internal space of a battery pack case so as to form a cooling passage configured to cool the cell modules by cooling air flowing in the cooling passage. A first temperature sensor is a minimum temperature sensor disposed in the upstream position which becomes a lowest temperature. A second temperature sensor is a maximum temperature sensor disposed in the downstream position which becomes a highest temperature. A third temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of either the highest temperature or the lowest temperature disposed in a second cell module. A cooling passage includes a cooling air inlet passage, a cooling air exhaust passage, and a plurality of cooling branch passages disposed to connect the cooling air inlet passage and the cooling air exhaust passage in parallel.

Abstract: A control circuit is driven by a driving voltage (VOC) generated by a generator circuit, and outputs a control signal. A drive circuit is driven by a driving voltage (VOD) generated by another generator circuit, and turns a switching element inside a switching circuit on or off by supplying, to the switching circuit, a drive signal based on the control signal. During activation of a switching device, a voltage generation controller detects a voltage value of the output voltage (VOC) of the generator circuit, and allows activation of the other generator circuit after verifying that the detected voltage value is at or above a designated threshold.

Abstract: A solar energy utilization system includes a solar panel, a motor driven by an inverter circuit functioning as a motor drive circuit with power output by the solar panel, a solar output voltage monitor functioning as a monitor that monitors an input or an output of the solar panel and also functioning as a monitor that monitors an input or an output of the inverter circuit, and a controller. The controller has a control mode in which the inverter circuit is controlled such that an output voltage of the solar panel is maintained at a voltage higher than a maximum power point voltage. In this control mode, the controller performs the control such that a rotation speed of the motor is changed repeatedly at predetermined timings.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid material for forming a three-dimensional object. The liquid material is adapted to harden a powder material for forming a three-dimensional object containing an organic material. The liquid material contains a solvent and a cross-linking agent. A dynamic contact angle of the liquid material over a film made of the organic material is from 20° to 80°.

Abstract: A highly efficient and low-cost switching power supply device includes a high withstand voltage transistor and a low withstand voltage transistor. When current flows from a second node to a first node, the high withstand voltage transistor turns on and the low withstand voltage transistor turns off, causing current to flow through a built-in diode of the low withstand voltage transistor. Since current does not flow through the parasitic diode of the high withstand voltage transistor, the recovery current is reduced. Furthermore, since a first delay circuit including resistors and a diode is connected to the gate electrode of the high withstand voltage transistor, and a second delay circuit including resistors and a diode is connected to the gate electrode of the low withstand voltage transistor, precise adjustment of the switching speed during switching operation is possible, and losses are reduced.

Abstract: A metal line 731 is formed in a linear area S of an insulative substrate 720, and moreover a metal line 732 is formed generally parallel to the metal line 731 with a specified distance thereto. The metal line 731 is connected to an n-type semiconductor core 701 of bar-like structure light-emitting elements 710A to 710D, and the metal line 732 is connected to a p-type semiconductor layer 702. By dividing the insulative substrate 720 into a plurality of divisional substrates, a plurality of light-emitting devices in each of which a plurality of bar-like structure light-emitting elements 710 are placed on the divisional substrates are formed.

Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional object producing method, including: a first step of forming a film by delivering a first liquid as a hydrogel precursor including at least a multifunctional monomer; and a second step of curing the film formed in the first step, wherein the first step and the second step are repeated a plurality of times.

Abstract: In order to offer a power supply circuit that can minimize the drop in efficiency by reducing losses during voltage conversion, in an improved-power factor circuit, a control circuit performs a step-up operation in which a control signal for turning on a first switching element (Tr1) and switching a second switching element (Tr2) is output, and a step-down operation in which a control signal for turning off the second switching element (Tr2) and switching the first switching element (Tr1) is output.

Abstract: In a light emitting device, one hundred or more bar-like structured light emitting elements (210) each having a light emitting area of 2,500? ?m2 or less are placed on a mounting surface of one insulating substrate (200), so that the light emitting device fulfills little variation in luminance, long life, and high efficiency by dispersion of light emission with suppression of increase in temperatures in light emitting operations.

Abstract: A headlamp (1) that utilizes a laser beam includes a scattered-light emitting unit (21) that emits scattered light upon receipt of a laser beam deviated from a predetermined path through which the laser beam is to pass or a predetermined irradiation region that is to be irradiated by the laser beam.

Abstract: A light emitting device which includes at least one of a laser light source (1), wiring (9), a lens for excitation (2), a luminous body (4), a laser cut filter (6), a half parabolic mirror (5P), and a base (5h), in which a part of the wiring (9) is installed at a portion in which a breakage easily occurs due to at least one deformation of the laser light source (1), the lens for excitation (2), the luminous body (4), the laser cut filter (6), the half parabolic mirror (5P), and the base (5h), or a change in an installation position thereof.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery block capable of reducing stress acting on a connection portion due to thermal expansion/contraction or size error. A battery block (40) according to the present invention includes: a plurality of conductive members (191) arranged along side surfaces (114) of a holding case (111) and electrically connecting corresponding battery cells (101); voltage detection boards (201, 202) disposed opposite the side surfaces (114) of the holding case (111) and detecting the voltage of the battery cells (101); and a plurality of voltage detection terminals (204) respectively electrically connected to a plurality of conductive members (192) disposed on the voltage detection boards (201, 202).

Abstract: A solar energy utilization system includes a solar panel, a motor that is driven by solar output power, and a motor stall prevention device that prevents the motor during drive from stalling, and as the motor stall prevention device, any of following devices is selected: (a) a motor stall prevention device that limits solar output voltage to voltage higher than voltage at which the solar panel outputs maximum power at the point in time; (b) a motor stall prevention device that limits solar output voltage to voltage at which, when the output voltage is changed on a P-V curve, a change rate becomes negative; and (c) a motor stall prevention device that is configured by a capacitor which is connected in parallel to the solar panel and stores power generated by the solar panel.

Abstract: A light-emitting element includes a first conductivity type semiconductor base, a plurality of first conductivity type protrusion-shaped semiconductors formed on the semiconductor base, and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer that covers the protrusion-shaped semiconductors.

Abstract: This method for disposing fine objects, in a substrate preparing step, prepares a substrate having specified positions where fine objects (120) are to be disposed in an area where a first electrode (111) and a second electrode (112) face each other, and in a fluid introducing step, a fluid (121) is introduced on the substrate (110). The fluid (121) contains a plurality of the fine objects (120). The fine objects (120) are diode elements, each of which has, as an alignment structure, a front side layer (130) composed of a dielectric material, and a rear side layer (131) composed of a semiconductor. In the fine object disposing step, by applying an AC voltage to between the first electrode (111) and the second electrode (112), the fine objects (120) are disposed by dielectrophoresis with the front side layer (130) facing up at the predetermined positions in the area (A) where the first electrode (111) and the second electrode (112) face each other.