Abstract: The charge and discharge are performed by a proper electric power corresponding to the service environment of a battery and the state of the battery. When the temperature of the battery is not more than a specified temperature, or not less than another specified temperature, the upper limit value Pin-s of the charging electric power and the upper limit value Pout-s of the discharging electric power are determined so as to be smaller than those at a normal temperature. The temperature of the battery is detected, and the charging electric power and the discharging electric power are determined so that they may be not more than the upper limit values Pin-s, Pout-s of the charging and the discharging electric power at this temperature, and the charge control of the battery is performed.

Abstract: A complex crystal is composed of anion of triiodine and cation of a fused compound consisting essentially of at least one nitrogen atom and at least 3 aromatic fused rings. Since the complex crystal has such a stable structure, it shows excellent heat resistance and excellent moisture resisting property. Furthermore, the complex crystal has light-polarizing performance because of an arrangement of the molecular chain of iodine. Moreover, the complex crystal exhibits excellent polarization because of an interaction between the fused compound and iodine. Therefore, the complex crystal is suitable for use as light-adjusting particles of a light valve or a light-adjusting glass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a water-repellent film on the surface of a transparent substrate (e.g., sheet glass). While the film on the coated substrate is dried, the temperature is controlled to fall between 15.degree. C. and 25.degree. C., the relative humidity is controlled to be 30% or preferably from 15% to 20%, and the speed of the air stream to be applied to the coated substrate is controlled to be 0.5 m/min or lower. The water-repellent film formed by the invention has a uniform thickness and good abrasion resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dichroic crystal including at least one member selected from the group consisting of phtharocyanine, a phtharocyanine derivative, phtharocyanine with a central metal introduced therein, a phtharocyanine derivative with a central metal introduced therein, and iodine. It is precipitated when the iodine is added to a solution containing the member, and it includes the iodine in a form of I.sub.3.sup.- and I.sub.5.sup.- ions. It not only has a high dichroic property but also superb heat resistance and weatherability, so that it is applicable to suspended particles display devices used in severe environments.

Abstract: A complex crystal is composed of anion of triiodine and cation of a fused compound consisting essentially of at least one nitrogen atom and at least 3 aromatic fused rings. Since the complex crystal has such a stable structure, it shows excellent heat resistance and excellent moisture resisting property. Furthermore, the complex crystal has light-polarizing performance because of an arrangement of the molecular chain of iodine. Moreover, the complex crystal exhibits excellent polarization because of an interaction between the fused compound and iodine. Therefore, the complex crystal is suitable for use as light-adjusting particles of a light valve or a light-adjusting glass.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline organopolysiloxane is provided having the general formula:R.sub.a (A).sub.b (B).sub.c SiO.sub.(4-a-b-c)/2wherein R is independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon group having i to 4 carbon atoms, and phenyl group, A is a group of the formula: ##STR1## wherein m, n, and x are integers in the range: m.gtoreq.3, n.gtoreq.2, 5.ltoreq.m+nx.ltoreq.15, x=1 or 2, B is an organic chromophore group having an absorption peak in the visible spectrum, a, b, and c are numbers in the range: 1.ltoreq.a<2, 0<b+c.ltoreq.1, 0.45.ltoreq.b(b+c).ltoreq.0.95, and 1<a+b+c.ltoreq.3. This organopolysiloxane as a high molecular weight liquid crystal is combined with a low molecular weight liquid crystal to form a liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A herapathite has a capillary crystal form in which its iodine atoms are oriented in a major axis direction of the capillary crystal form. The herapathite obtained is expressed by a chemical formula, xC.sub.20 H.sub.24 N.sub.2 O.sub.2.yH.sub.2 SO.sub.4.zHI.sub.3, in which a ratio of a number of the sulfuric acid molecules (y) with respect to a number of the iodine atoms (3z), i.e., (y/3z), is less than 0.5. The production process includes a reaction step, a first separating step, a recrystallizing step and a second separating step. A solvent used in the recrystallizing step is at least one of water and alcohol. A mixing weight ratio of water with respect to alcohol of the solvent is more than 50/50 or less than 10/90. The herapathite does not degrade even after it is heated up to 130.degree. C., and it is applicable to an automobile light shielding glass which should show a high transparency when a voltage is applied thereto.