Abstract: To provide an optical switcher capable of sending incident light on one input port to any plurality of output ports. The optical switcher includes input ports disposed on extensions of m input optical paths (m being 2 or greater natural number), output ports disposed on extensions of n output optical paths (n being 2 or greater natural number), and movable translucent switch mirrors 311-3mn, disposed at intersections of the m input optical paths and the n output optical paths, for switching between the input optical paths and the output optical paths. A switch mirror 311-3mn located nearer the input ports has a higher transmittance.

Abstract: To provide an optical switcher capable of sending incident light on one input port to any plurality of output ports. The optical switcher includes input ports disposed on extensions of m input optical paths (m being 2 or greater natural number), output ports disposed on extensions of n output optical paths (n being 2 or greater natural number), and movable translucent switch mirrors 311-3mn, disposed at intersections of the m input optical paths and the n output optical paths, for switching between the input optical paths and the output optical paths. A switch mirror 311-3mn located nearer the input ports has a higher transmittance.

Abstract: An ordinary-temperature purifying catalyst includes an oxide having an oxygen defect introduced by a reduction treatment, and a noble metal loaded on the oxide. For example, the oxide can be at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of cerium oxides and zirconium oxides, at least a part of which has an oxygen defect. The catalyst can purify an environmental loading material, such as carbon monoxide, a nitrogen oxide, ethylene, formaldehyde, trimethylamine, methyl mercaptan and acetaldehyde, in air at an ordinary temperature. A method for how to use the catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A micro-machine switch which causes a contact electrode to make contact with or separate away from a signal line formed on a substrate, to thereby turn on or off the signal line, includes (a) first to N-th lower electrodes formed on the substrate, wherein N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, (b) first to N-th upper electrodes supported facing the first to N-th lower electrodes, respectively, and (c) an electrode supporter for vertically raising and lowering the first to N-th upper electrodes between a first position where the contact electrode makes contact with the signal line when electrostatic force is generated between the first to N-th upper electrodes and the first to N-th lower electrodes, respectively, and a second position where the contact electrode is separated away from the signal line when the electrostatic force is not generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a video distribution system and a video distribution method that can update video data to be distributed after distributing a distribution list to a user terminal. A distribution list generating processing unit 22 generates a distribution list that includes the link name linked to the video data as a distribution request destination. The link list generating processing unit 23 generates a link list that is a correspondence list between the link name and the video data file name corresponding to the link name. The link list updating processing unit 24 updates the video data file name corresponding to the link name in the link list to another video data file name depending on the distribution conditions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermoelectric element with a higher thermoelectric performance than that of a conventional thermoelectric element. This fabrication method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a thermoelectric material having a predetermined composition; and (b) applying extruding pressure to the thermoelectric material in a first direction to extrude it through a die having, in an area which is not less than half of a deforming area of the thermoelectric material in the first direction, a maximum strain rate within +30% of an average strain rate so as to plastically deform the thermoelectric material into an extruded product of the thermoelectric material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating hydrogen by hydrolyzing a complex metal hydride in the presence of water and a catalyst, wherein the catalyst includes a noble metal and one of metal oxides, metalloid oxides and carbonaceous materials.

Abstract: A micro-machine switch which causes a contact electrode to make contact with or separate away from a signal line formed on a substrate, to thereby turn on or off the signal line, includes (a) first to N-th lower electrodes formed on the substrate, wherein N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, (b) first to N-th upper electrodes supported facing the first to N-th lower electrodes, respectively, and (c) an electrode supporter for vertically raising and lowering the first to N-th upper electrodes between a first position where the contact electrode makes contact with the signal line when electrostatic force is generated between the first to N-th upper electrodes and the first to N-th lower electrodes, respectively, and a second position where the contact electrode is separated away from the signal line when the electrostatic force is not generated.

Abstract: A coated material comprising a substrate which has micropores and a reaction product coated thereon along the surface configuration of the substrate and an inner wall of the micropores thereof. The coated material is preferably produced by performing a supercritical coating step wherein a reaction precursor is dissolved in a supercritical fluid to form a precursor fluid and then the precursor fluid is brought into contact with a substrate in the presence with a reaction initiator to allow a reaction between the reaction precursor and the reaction initiator, thereby coating a reaction product onto the substrate.

Abstract: An exhaust gas processing apparatus for a paint drying oven of this invention comprises a reaction container; a first catalyst layer disposed at an upstream side of the reaction container comprising a support of a honeycomb substance or a foamed substance, a carrier layer formed on the support and a platinum group element catalyst loaded on the carrier layer; a second catalyst layer disposed downstream of the first catalyst layer comprising a support of a pellet substance, a honeycomb substance or a foamed substance and a platinum group element catalyst; and a third catalyst layer disposed downstream of the second catalyst layer comprising a support, a carrier layer formed on the support and a copper-cerium-silver catalyst loaded on the carrier layer. Thus, the exhaust gas processing apparatus of this invention exhibits improved exhaust gases purifying abilities, even at relatively low temperatures, and less pressure drop.

Abstract: A catalytic combustion type exhaust gas processing device wherein noxious/smelly components contained in exhaust gases are deodorized and purified through sequential oxidative decomposition by at least one catalyst layer composed of platinum and/or palladium catalyst and a copper-cerium catalyst comprising chemically active species of copper and cerium in a compounded form. The device can be applied effectively to a drying furnace, for example, used in a coating for automobile use.

Abstract: A catalyst for decomposing an offensively smelling substance such as aldehydes by oxidation and a method which employs it for removing the offensively smelling substance. The catalyst comprises copper, cerium and silver supported on a porous ceramic carrier and is contacted with an offensively smelling substance to decompose it. The catalyst is particularly effective for decomposing aldehydes.