Abstract: A microscopic object collecting method collects a plurality of microscopic objects dispersed in a sample. The method includes: irradiating a thin film with a plurality of laser beams, the thin film being provided on a bottom surface of an collection container containing the sample, the plurality of laser beams being separated from each other; and heating the sample with the plurality of laser beams to generate a plurality of microbubbles corresponding to the plurality of laser beams and to generate heat convection in the sample. An interval between adjacent two laser beams of the plurality of laser beams is narrower than a distance that allows three larger microbubbles to be virtually arranged in a gap between two microbubbles corresponding to the two laser beams, each of the three larger microbubbles being the larger one of the two microbubbles.

Abstract: A smart key storage case includes a storage case main body that can shield a signal, a transmission path through which a call signal from an in-vehicle device is radiated into the storage case main body, a switch that conducts/cuts off the transmission path, a radio communication unit that performs data communication with a radio communication terminal, a controller that controls the switch, and a response signal relay section that radiates a response signal from the smart key inside the storage case main body to the outside. When the radio communication terminal is present outside the vehicle, the controller controls the switch so that the call signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device to the inside of the cabin is cut off and the call signal transmitted to the outside of the vehicle is transmitted.

Abstract: A smart key storage case includes a storage case main body that can shield a signal, a transmission path through which a call signal from an in-vehicle device is radiated into the storage case main body, a switch that conducts/cuts off the transmission path, a radio communication unit that performs data communication with a radio communication terminal, a controller that controls the switch, and a response signal relay section that radiates a response signal from the smart key inside the storage case main body to the outside. When the radio communication terminal is present outside the vehicle, the controller controls the switch so that the call signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device to the inside of the cabin is cut off and the call signal transmitted to the outside of the vehicle is transmitted.

Abstract: In a first process, an electrically conductive thin metal plate 7 is subjected to a press molding process employing a plurality of punches 3 in a primary molding block 1 and a plurality of dies 4 in a secondary molding block 2, so as to form therein a plurality of hollow projections 9 that project from one side of the metal plate 7, and bulges 14 that bulge out in a direction opposite to that of the projections 9, positioned between the projections 9. In a second process, the metal plate 7 on which have been formed the plurality of projections 9 and bulges 14 is subjected to either chemical etching or electrolytic etching, so as to form through holes 17 by corrosively removing thin-walled portions 11 from the tips of the projections 9, and, at the same time, to corrosively form innumerable fine irregularities 18 over the entire surface of the metal plate 7.

Abstract: To provide a programmable controller for enabling a device value to be set and changed, and also referenced, easily and accurately. A programmable controller has a main unit CPU, a storage section, a display CPU, a display section, and a key section. The state of the key section is stored in a key information buffer of the display CPU. A control section of the display CPU sets and changes the device value stored in the storage section through the main unit CPU and causes the display section to display the device value stored in the storage section based on key information in the key information buffer.

Abstract: A metal reinforcing plate is welded in place close to the opening on the inside of the battery case, and a plastic insulation gasket and a sealing member provided with an anti-explosion mechanism or the like are sequentially mounted on the metal reinforcing plate. By this arrangement, higher battery capacity can be realized by eliminating the waste of space because it is unnecessary to form a conventional indentation around the upper wall of a battery case. A sealed battery construction having an anti-explosion mechanism and being highly reliable in terms of leakage prevention can be thereby obtained.

Abstract: A battery accommodates elements for electromotive-force within a metal case. This metal case is a metal case having a bottom wherein the bottom thickness/side thickness ratio has a value of 1.2-4.0 and has a cylindrical, prismatic or similar shape. The metal case is constructed of a metal material whose chief constituent is aluminum. Furthermore, it is desirable that a multiplicity of shallow grooves perpendicular to a bottom face are formed in at least a battery inside face of the metal case and moreover that a nickel layer is provided on the battery inside face. The metal case is made by DI processing involving drawing and ironing, to have a value of bottom thickness/side thickness ratio which was hitherto unavailable,i.e., 1.2-4.0 can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction of an explosion-proof safety vent for small-size non-aqueous electrolyte batteries such as prismatic lithium-ion secondary batteries or with an oval cross section hence with a small area of seal plate, and to a method of producing a seal plate. It aims at securing safety of a battery by allowing an explosion-proof vent to operate without fail with a simple construction at no sacrifice of the capacity. In order to fulfill this aim, it provides an explosion-proof safety vent wherein upper peripheral edge of an opening of a bottomed cell container made of metal and the periphery of a seal plate made of metal are hermetically sealed by laser welding, a rivet serving as a terminal is inserted in a through hole provided on the central portion of the seal plate and hermetically fixed by crimping via a gasket, an exhaust hole is provided between the terminal and the periphery of the seal plate, and the exhaust hole is closed by a metal foil.

Abstract: To present a processing apparatus capable of forming an annular support portion for mounting a sealing plate on an elliptical battery case can at high precision and high productivity, and a structure of an elliptical battery using an elliptical battery case can.An elliptical battery case can 10 is rotatably held by a case can support mechanism 13. The battery case can 10 is rotated about its tubular center by a case can rotary mechanism 18. Two groove forming rollers 23, 24 are mounted on an oscillatable roller support lever 28. The roller support lever 28 traces the shape of the outer circumference of the battery case can 10, and oscillates within a plane orthogonal to the tubular center of the battery case can 10, and receives a pressing force from a pressurizing device 29 to press the both groove forming rollers 23, 24 against the outer circumference of the battery case can 10.