Abstract: An appearance inspection method of the invention comprises: a first step for inspecting an object to be inspected by illuminating the object to be inspected mounted on a first stage and receiving scattered light therefrom, a second step for inspecting the object to be inspected by illuminating the object to be inspected mounted on a second stage and receiving diffracted light therefrom, and a transfer step for transferring the object to be inspected between the first stage and the second stage so that either one of the first step and the second step is carried out after the other. As a result, with this appearance inspection method, it is possible to prevent a lengthening in the throughput time even when a plurality of inspections are automatically carried out, while maintaining the same functions as for conventional inspection which is carried out visually.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric transformer, a piezoelectric inverter, and a liquid crystal display with a high reliability, capable of preventing the occurrence of the soundings caused by the contact between gold thread wires and preventing the breaking of the gold thread wires and the deterioration of the performance of the piezoelectric transformer. The gold thread wire for wiring used in a piezoelectric transformer has a structure wherein band-like metallic foils are wound around a core consisting of numerous fine wires bundled, and the gold thread wire is constituted by impregnating it with wax.

Abstract: A developing method using a compact machine such as a copying machine for personal use, etc., employs a two component-type magnetic developing agent with small diameter photosensitive drum and small diameter developing sleeve. In order to eliminate toner falling from the drum and/or sleeve to increase toner transfer efficiency and reduce fogging, the developing agent conveying sleeve is provided with a curvature (mm.sup.-1) of from 0.2 to 0.05. The toner is specifically designed for use in the method and includes magnetic fine particles having a saturation magnetization of not smaller than 70 emu/g and hydrophobic fine silica particles added to fixing resin particles containing a coloring agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft magnetic steel improved in electric resistance, coercive force, magnetic flux density, magnetic response, cold forgeability, machinability, and corrosion resistance, which is characterized by the composition containing by weight, 0.015% or lower C+N, 0.20% or lower Si, 0.20% or lower Mn, 7 to 13% Cr, 2 to 5% Al, and balance of Fe with impurities, which is applicable to core materials of electronic fuel injection systems, solenoid valves, electromagnetic sensors, etc.

Abstract: A porous gel containing an immobilized enzyme is prepared by mixing an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of not lower than 95 mol% and an average polymerization degree of not lower than 1,000, with an enzyme or enzyme-producing cell, and activated carbon powder, pouring the mixture into a container of any desired form, gelating and molding the mixture by dehydrating it up to a dehydration ratio of not lower than 50%, immersing the resulting molding in water, and drying the immersed molding. Preferably, dehydrating is by leaving the mixture to stand at room temperature or a temperature of from 30.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. The enzyme or enzyme-producing cell may be mixed with or adsorbed on an inorganic or organic carrier. The dried molding may be granulated.