Abstract: Provided is a gas detection device used in a humid environment such as a kitchen or a cooking room, which is excellent in moisture resistance and also excellent in sensitivity. In a gas detection device which includes a thin film type gas sensor including a heater portion, a gas detection portion, and a catalyst portion on a substrate, energizes the heater portion to heat the gas detection portion and the catalyst portion, and detects the detection target gas, the gas sensor configured by supporting a catalyst metal containing platinum as a main component on a support containing a transition metal oxide as a main component is adopted.

Abstract: A fuel cell single unit including: a fuel cell element in which an anode layer and a cathode layer are formed so as to sandwich an electrolyte layer; a reducing gas supply path for supplying a gas containing hydrogen to the anode layer; an oxidizing gas supply path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the cathode layer; and an internal reforming catalyst layer, which has a reforming catalyst for steam-reforming a fuel gas, in at least a part of the reducing gas supply path is provided. An external reformer, which has a reforming catalyst for steam-reforming the fuel gas, is provided upstream of the reducing gas supply path, and the fuel gas partially reformed by the external reformer is supplied to the reducing gas supply path.

Abstract: Provided is a gas detection device used in a humid environment such as a kitchen or a cooking room, which is excellent in moisture resistance and also excellent in sensitivity. In a gas detection device which includes a thin film type gas sensor including a heater portion, a gas detection portion, and a catalyst portion on a substrate, energizes the heater portion to heat the gas detection portion and the catalyst portion, and detects the detection target gas, the gas sensor configured by supporting a catalyst metal containing platinum as a main component on a support containing a transition metal oxide as a main component is adopted.

Abstract: A highly efficient fuel cell capable of reasonably and effectively utilizing an internal reforming reaction is obtained even when an anode layer provided in a fuel cell element has a thickness of several tens of micron order. A fuel cell single unit is configured to include a reducing gas supply path for supplying a gas containing hydrogen to an anode layer, a steam supply path for supplying steam generated in a fuel cell element to the reducing gas supply path, and an internal reforming catalyst layer for producing hydrogen from a raw fuel gas by a steam reforming reaction are provided in the fuel cell single unit, and at least one steam supply path is provided on an upstream side of the internal reforming catalyst layer in a flow direction of the reducing gas supplied to the anode layer.

Abstract: A metal support-type fuel cell that has a configuration in which a fuel cell element is supported by a metal support, and is capable of reasonably and effectively utilizing an internal reforming reaction even when an anode layer provided in the fuel cell element has a thickness of several tens of micron order is obtained. A fuel cell element is formed in a thin layer shape on a metal support, an internal reforming catalyst layer for producing hydrogen from a raw fuel gas by a steam reforming reaction is provided in a cell unit, and an internal reformed fuel supply path for discharging steam generated by a power generation reaction from an anode layer to lead the steam to the internal reforming catalyst layer, and leading the produced hydrogen to the anode layer is provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell single unit including: a fuel cell element in which an anode layer and a cathode layer are formed so as to sandwich an electrolyte layer; a reducing gas supply path for supplying a gas containing hydrogen to the anode layer; an oxidizing gas supply path for supplying a gas containing oxygen to the cathode layer; and an internal reforming catalyst layer, which has a reforming catalyst for steam-reforming a fuel gas, in at least a part of the reducing gas supply path is provided. An external reformer, which has a reforming catalyst for steam-reforming the fuel gas, is provided upstream of the reducing gas supply path, and the fuel gas partially reformed by the external reformer is supplied to the reducing gas supply path.

Abstract: N-(3-acetylthio-2-D-methylpropionyl)-L-proline useful as a precursor of captopril, one of antihypertensive agents, is prepared by allowing thioacetic acid to react with methyl methacrylate to prepare racetalc methyl 3-acetylthio-2-DL-methylpropionate, contacting the propionate with cells of, for example, Pseudomonas in order to effect biological and asymmetric hydrolysis, extracting 3-acetylthio-D-2-methylpropionic acid and allowing the acid to react with L-proline.

Abstract: High molecular weight hyaluronic acid can be efficiently produced by incorporating one or more compounds having at least one aromatic ring to which one or more hydroxyl groups are attached into a medium for producing hyaluronic acid by a bacterium capable of producing hyaluronic acid. By using this method, a sufficient amount of hyaluronic acid can be easily obtained without decomposing the high molecular structure of hyaluronic acid so that the process for isolating and purifying hyaluronic acid from the medium can be simplified.

Abstract: A process for treating contaminated water containing BOD sources and nitrogen sources, which comprises supplying oxygen or oxygen-containing gas from one side of a gas-permeable membrane to grow microorganisms including aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria on the other side of the gas-permeable membrane, and performing decomposition of the BOD sources and nitrification and denitrification simultaneously by the action of these microorganisms. Especially good results are obtained when a membrane composed of porous hollow fibers is used as the gas-permeable membrane.

Abstract: Organic carboxylic acid ester represented by the formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl, an aralkyl or an aryl group; R.sub.2 is an alkyl group; R.sub.3 is an alkyl group; n is 1 or 2, are synthesized in racemic form, and then the acid ester (II) is treated with a source containing enzyme capable of rearranging with or without asymmetrically hydrolyzing ester bond until either a d-form or 1-form optically active carboxylic acid ester represented by the formula (II) with or without the antipode acid thereof is produced.

Abstract: Immobilized enzymes or microorganisms are prepared by dispersing lumps of ice containing an enzyme or microorganism in an organic solvent having a water-insoluble high-molecular weight substance dissolved therein, and then removing the organic solvent to entrap the ice lumps in the water-insoluble high-molecular weight substance. Deactivation of the enzyme or microorganism by the organic solvent is prevented by the enzyme or microorganism being entrapped in the lumps of ice.

Abstract: Waste water containing organic pollutants is purified by biological treatment with aerobic microorganisms supported on hollow fibers having microporous walls through which oxygen is supplied to the microorganisms.