Abstract: A plurality of elements can be analyzed simultaneously with high sensitivity using a microchip. The microchip (1) comprises a substrate (30), a channel (23) formed in the substrate (30), and an analyzing part (10) consisting of a part of flat surface of the substrate (30), where the outlet of the channel (23) is formed as an opening (9c) and measurement object liquid overflowed from the opening (9c) stays on the flat surface of the substrate (30) to become a sample of analysis. The measurement object liquid is made to overflow as a sample of analysis to the analyzing part (10) using the microchip (1) and then the sample of analysis is preferably dried before a primary X-ray is made to enter under conditions of total reflection and fluorescent X-rays are detected.

Abstract: An optical device includes: a sealed container having edge walls facing each other in a thickness direction of the container and a side wall connecting both of the edge walls; a first liquid with polarity or electrical conductivity and sealed within the container; a second liquid that is sealed within the container and does not mix with the first liquid; and a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage across the first liquid. The first liquid and the second liquid have equal specific gravity, and transmissivity of the first liquid is lower than the transmissivity of the second liquid. An interface between the first liquid and the second liquid changes shape in response to a voltage applied by the voltage applying unit. A light transmission path that passes through the edge walls and extends in a direction of the thickness of the container is formed.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed. The optical element may include a container having a holding chamber, a polar or conductive first liquid filled in the holding chamber, a second liquid filled in the holding chamber and not mixing with the first liquid, first and second electrodes for applying an electric field to the first liquid, and voltage application means for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A bicycle brake apparatus comprises a securing bracket with an axle opening dimensioned to receive a bicycle wheel hub axle therethrough, a braked member that has a braking surface and is adapted to rotate with a bicycle wheel hub rotatably supported by the hub axle, a braking member adapted to contact the braking surface, and an operating unit that selectively causes the braking member to contact the braking surface. A locking unit is structured for attachment to the securing bracket, wherein the locking unit extends in an axial direction of the hub axle and is dimensioned to nonrotatably engage the bicycle frame radially inwardly of a rotating portion of the brake apparatus.

Abstract: An optical element includes a sealed container having a first end wall facing a second end wall in a thickness direction, and a sidewall connecting the first and second end walls; a first polar or conductive liquid encapsulated in the container; a second liquid encapsulated in the container and not mixed with the first liquid so as to form an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid, the first liquid and the second liquid having substantially the same specific gravity and the first liquid having less light transmittance than the second liquid; and a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the first liquid, wherein when a voltage is applied to the first liquid, the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid deforms to form a light transmission path that passes through the first and second end walls and extends in the thickness direction of the container.

Abstract: An optical element includes an airtight container having opposing first and second end face walls in a thickness direction, and side walls connecting the first and second end face walls; a first liquid sealed in the container and having polarity or conductivity; a second liquid sealed in the container and not mixed with the first liquid so as to form an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid; and voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the first liquid. Further, the first liquid and the second liquid have substantially the same specific gravity, and the first liquid has less light transmittance than the second liquid. In a state in which the voltage is applied to the first liquid, the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid deforms, and a transmitting path of light is formed that passes through the first and second end face walls and propagates in the thickness direction of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a brake control element to a bicycle hub brake comprises a rotating member structured to be rotatably mounted relative to a fastening bracket so that rotation of the rotating member actuates a brake mechanism, wherein the rotating member includes a brake control element mount. The rotating member also has a cable winding surface to wind a brake actuating cable thereon. A brake control element attachment unit is structured to be attached to the brake control element mount, wherein the brake control element mount includes a locking structure such that rotation of the brake control element mount relative to the brake control element attachment unit locks the brake control element attachment unit to the brake control element mount.

Abstract: A liquid moving apparatus is disclosed. The liquid moving apparatus may include a container having a holding chamber enclosed by first and second end walls facing against each other and side walls connecting the first and second end walls, a polarized or conductive first liquid filled in the holding chamber, a second liquid filled in the holding chamber and prevented from mixing with the first liquid, first and second electrodes for applying an electric field to the first liquid, and voltage application means for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed. The optical element may include a container having a holding chamber, a polar or conductive first liquid filled in the holding chamber, a second liquid filled in the holding chamber and not mixing with the first liquid, first and second electrodes for applying an electric field to the first liquid, and voltage application means for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for actuating a bicycle hub brake of the type having a fastening bracket adapted to be nonrotatably mounted relative to a bicycle frame, a brake drum, and a brake mechanism adapted to apply a braking force to the brake drum, wherein the brake drum rotates integrally with a bicycle hub around a hub axle. The apparatus comprises an actuating member and a rotating member. The actuating member is structured to be movably mounted relative to the fastening bracket for actuating the brake mechanism, and the rotating member is structured to be rotatably mounted relative to the fastening bracket independently of the actuating member. The rotating member includes an actuating member moving unit for moving the actuating member. The rotating member also includes a cable winding surface to wind a brake actuating cable thereon.

Abstract: An optical element includes a sealed container having a first end wall facing a second end wall in a thickness direction, and a sidewall connecting the first and second end walls; a first polar or conductive liquid encapsulated in the container; a second liquid encapsulated in the container and not mixed with the first liquid so as to form an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid, the first liquid and the second liquid having substantially the same specific gravity and the first liquid having less light transmittance than the second liquid; and a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the first liquid, wherein when a voltage is applied to the first liquid, the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid deforms to form a light transmission path that passes through the first and second end walls and extends in the thickness direction of the container.

Abstract: A bicycle drive unit comprises a frame main unit, first and second cover members, a rear hub, a rear gear shift apparatus, an electric driving mechanism and a power supply unit. The frame main unit diverges from a front end portion toward first and second rear end portions with the front end portion movably coupled to a frame of a bicycle, and the first and second rear end portions coupled to the rear hub. The first and second cover members are coupled to transverse outer surfaces of the frame main unit such that a first space is formed between the first cover member and the frame main unit and a second space is formed between the second cover member and the frame main unit. The electric driving mechanism is disposed in the first space and linked to the rear gear shift apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for actuating a bicycle hub brake of the type having a fastening bracket adapted to be nonrotatably mounted relative to a bicycle frame, a brake drum, and a brake mechanism adapted to apply a braking force to the brake drum, wherein the brake drum rotates integrally with a bicycle hub around a hub axle. The apparatus comprises an actuating member and a rotating member. The actuating member is structured to be movably mounted relative to the fastening bracket for actuating the brake mechanism, and the rotating member is structured to be rotatably mounted relative to the fastening bracket independently of the actuating member. The rotating member includes an actuating member moving unit for moving the actuating member. The rotating member also includes a cable winding surface to wind a brake actuating cable thereon.

Abstract: An optical element includes an airtight container having opposing first and second end face walls in a thickness direction, and side walls connecting the first and second end face walls; a first liquid sealed in the container and having polarity or conductivity; a second liquid sealed in the container and not mixed with the first liquid so as to form an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid; and voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the first liquid. Further, the first liquid and the second liquid have substantially the same specific gravity, and the first liquid has less light transmittance than the second liquid. In a state in which the voltage is applied to the first liquid, the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid deforms, and a transmitting path of light is formed that passes through the first and second end face walls and propagates in the thickness direction of the container.

Abstract: An optical element includes an airtight container having opposing face walls in a thickness direction, and side walls connecting the end face walls; a first liquid sealed in the container and having polarity or conductivity; a second liquid sealed in the container and not mixed with the first liquid so as to define an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid; and voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the first liquid. Further, the first liquid and the second liquid have the same specific gravity and substantially the same refractive index, and minute particles made of a material that does not transmit light are mixed in the first liquid, such that the first liquid has less light transmittance than the second liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a brake control element to a bicycle hub brake comprises a rotating member structured to be rotatably mounted relative to a fastening bracket so that rotation of the rotating member actuates a brake mechanism, wherein the rotating member includes a brake control element mount. The rotating member also has a cable winding surface to wind a brake actuating cable thereon. A brake control element attachment unit is structured to be attached to the brake control element mount, wherein the brake control element mount includes a locking structure such that rotation of the brake control element mount relative to the brake control element attachment unit locks the brake control element attachment unit to the brake control element mount.

Abstract: An image processing method comprising a first step of displaying a moving image being captured on a display and a second step of displaying a still image captured in response to a still image capture instruction on the display simultaneously with the moving image being captured when receiving the still image capture instruction during display of the moving image on the display in the first step and an image processing apparatus using the same.