Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes a negative electrode including a mixture layer which contains a niobium titanium oxide as a negative electrode active material, and non-aqueous electrolyte containing lithium alkoxysulfonate represented by RSOOO?Li+ (where R is at least one selected from the group consisting of OCH3 and OC2H5).

Abstract: The present invention provides a biomass-derived polyester compound useful as a rubber material or an adhesive material, the compound including a multiple bond in the molecule. By synthesizing an ester compound composed of a hydroxycinnamic acid and a fatty acid, and carrying out polycondensation reaction using the ester compound as a monomer, a polyester compound containing cinnamic acid and a ricinoleic acid derivative that are alternately linked to each other can be efficiently obtained. For example, an ester compound of General Formula (1) is produced. (In the formula, the substituents R1 and R2 each represent a hydrogen atom or a methoxy group; the substituent R3 represents an alkyl group or an alkenyl group; and n represents an integer of 10 to 100).

Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently producing a levulinic acid ester from a cellulose-containing raw material or a carbohydrate-containing raw material in an alcohol solvent using an inexpensive, easily available catalytic system. In a method for producing a levulinic acid ester by reacting at least one of a cellulose-containing raw material and a carbohydrate-containing raw material in the presence of an alcohol and a catalyst, use is made of, as a catalyst, a combination of: at least one metal compound (exclusive of gallium acetylacetonate and indium acetylacetonate) selected from the group consisting of hydroxide salts, sulfates, nitrates, carboxylates, alkoxides, acetylacetonates, and oxides of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of metals belonging to Group XIII and Group XIV of the Periodic Table; and an organic sulfonic acid.

Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently producing a levulinic acid ester from a cellulose-containing raw material or a carbohydrate-containing raw material in an alcohol solvent using an inexpensive, easily available catalytic system. In a method for producing a levulinic acid ester by reacting at least one of a cellulose-containing raw material and a carbohydrate-containing raw material in the presence of an alcohol and a catalyst, use is made of, as a catalyst, a combination of: at least one metal compound (exclusive of gallium acetylacetonate and indium acetylacetonate) selected from the group consisting of hydroxide salts, sulfates, nitrates, carboxylates, alkoxides, acetylacetonates, and oxides of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of metals belonging to Group XIII and Group XIV of the Periodic Table; and an organic sulfonic acid.

Abstract: An element-modified ferrofluid comprising a base oil, a plurality of magnetic particles covered with at least one surfactant, and an elemental modifier. The elemental modifier is a metal, a metal mixture, an alloy, or a nonmetal.

Abstract: An element-modified ferrofluid comprising a base oil, a plurality of magnetic particles covered with at least one surfactant, and an elemental modifier. The elemental modifier is a metal, a metal mixture, an alloy, or a nonmetal.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device is provided which includes: a metallic main plate to which a laser diode chip is fixed through a sub-mount incorporating a photo diode and which serves as an electric common for these diodes; three metallic posts that are electrically connected by wires to the main plate, laser diode chip and photo diode, respectively, and are spaced apart from the main plate; and a resin case in which the laser diode chip and sub-mount are sealed and to which fixing end portions of the main plate are fixed. The resin case secures the main plate and the three posts in position such a way as to avoid direct contact therebetween.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board and method of making the same is presented wherein the circuit board includes conductive through-holes for installation of components and includes a sloping electrolytic plating portion between the through-hole portions and remaining flexible portions of the circuit board.