Abstract: A composition for inhibiting proliferation of influenza virus has fermented rice bran powder produced using non-pathogenic microbes that include, as cellulolytic bacteria, at least three Bacillus species, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M-4 (deposit number: NITE P-02538 and NITE BP-02538), Bacillus subtilis M-5 (deposit number: NITE P-02539 and NITE BP-02539) and the Bacillus subtilis-related species Bacillus sp. M-6 (deposit number: NITE P-02940 and NITE BP-02940), and at least one Paenibacillus species, Paenibacillus cineris M-9 (deposit numbers: NITE AP-03304 and NITE BP-03304).

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium battery having a thin film composed of active material capable of lithium storage and release, e.g., a microcrystalline or amorphous silicon thin film, provided on a current collector, the electrode being characterized in that a constituent of the current collector is diffused into the thin film.

Abstract: An electrode for lithium batteries, in which a thin film of active material capable of storage and release of lithium, such as a microcrystalline or amorphous silicon thin film, is provided, through an interlayer, on a current collector, the electrode being characterized in that the interlayer comprises a material alloyable with the thin film of active material.

Abstract: An electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery characterized in that thin films of active material capable of lithium storage and release, i.e., microcrystalline or amorphous silicone thin films are deposited on opposite faces of a plate-form current collector.

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium battery having a thin film composed of active material capable of lithium storage and release, e.g., a microcrystalline or amorphous silicon thin film, provided on a current collector, the electrode being characterized in that the current collector has a surface roughness Ra of 0.01 ?m or greater.

Abstract: In an electrode for a lithium battery having a lithium storing and releasing active thin film provided on a current collector, such as a microcrystalline or amorphous silicon thin film, the electrode is characterized in that the thin film is divided into columns by gaps formed therein in a manner to extend in its thickness direction and that the columnar portions are at their bottoms adhered to the current collector.

Abstract: An electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery which includes a thin film composed of active material that expands and shrinks as it stores and releases lithium, e.g., a microcrystalline or amorphous silicon thin film, deposited on a current collector, characterized in that said current collector exhibits a tensile strength (=tensile strength (N/mm2) per sectional area of the current collector material×thickness (mm) of the current collector) of not less than 3.82 N/mm.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium battery includes a carbon material capable of occluding and discharging lithium and an additive material having a higher potential to discharge lithium than the carbon material, wherein the additive material is contained in a range of 0.01-9.0 weight % based on the weight of the carbon material, an average particle diameter of the carbon material is in a range of 0.01-50 &mgr;m, and an average particle diameter of the additive material is in a range of 0.01-50 &mgr;m. A lithium battery of the invention includes the negative battery.