Abstract: In a mass flow control system which comprises a first apparatus that is a mass flow controller, an external sensor that is at least one detection means constituting a second apparatus that is an apparatus disposed outside said first apparatus and at least one control section prepared in either one or both of housings of said first apparatus and said second apparatus, and is configured so as to control a flow rate of fluid flowing through a channel, the control section is configured such that opening of a flow control valve can be controlled based on at least an external signal that is a detection signal output from the external sensor.

Abstract: In a flow controller comprising a base with a gas passage formed inside, a flow sensor which measures a flow rate of the gas flowing through the passage, and at least two flow control valves which control the flow rate of the gas flowing through the passage, the flow sensor is configured so as to detect a total flow rate of the gas flowing through the passage, a part in the middle of the passage is branched into at least two branch passages, and at least one of said flow control valves is interposed in each of these branch passages. Thereby, even when a pressure difference ?P1 between a primary side pressure P1 and a secondary side pressure P2 cannot be increased, the maximum flow rate of the gas can be made larger than before.

Abstract: In a mass flow control system which comprises a first apparatus that is a mass flow controller, an external sensor that is at least one detection means constituting a second apparatus that is an apparatus disposed outside said first apparatus and at least one control section prepared in either one or both of housings of said first apparatus and said second apparatus, and is configured so as to control a flow rate of fluid flowing through a channel, the control section is configured such that opening of a flow control valve can be controlled based on at least an external signal that is a detection signal output from the external sensor. Thereby, effects, such as quick purging, more accurate flow control, simple flow rate calibration, flow control based on pressure or temperature in a tank, or flow control based on concentration of a material in the fluid, etc., is attained without adding a separate control device, etc.

Abstract: In a flow controller comprising a base with a gas passage formed inside, a flow sensor which measures a flow rate of the gas flowing through the passage, and at least two flow control valves which control the flow rate of the gas flowing through the passage, the flow sensor is configured so as to detect a total flow rate of the gas flowing through the passage, a part in the middle of the passage is branched into at least two branch passages, and at least one of said flow control valves is interposed in each of these branch passages. Thereby, even when a pressure difference ?PI between a primary side pressure P1 and a secondary side pressure P2 cannot be increased, the maximum flow rate of the gas can be made larger than before.

Abstract: A thermal mass flow sensor 10 enclosed airtightly in a sealed container 11 under an inert atmosphere for the purpose of suppressing disappearance of a coating layer on sensor wires 13a and 13b in association with use at a high temperature, further comprises an air release pipe 16 that is a pipe which brings an internal space and outside of the sealed container 11 in airtight communication with each other through an air release hole 16a that is a through-hole formed in an outer wall of the sealed container 11. An end of the air release pipe 16 on an opposite side to the air release hole 16a is sealed by plastic deformation to form a sealed part 16b. Thereby, after forming the sealed container 11 under a normal atmosphere, the internal space of the sealed container 11 can be closed airtightly. The sealed part 16b may be further sealed by welding.

Abstract: A thermal mass flow sensor 10 enclosed airtightly in a sealed container 11 under an inert atmosphere for the purpose of suppressing disappearance of a coating layer on sensor wires 13a and 13b in association with use at a high temperature, further comprises an air release pipe 16 that is a pipe which brings an internal space and outside of the sealed container 11 in airtight communication with each other through an air release hole 16a that is a through-hole formed in an outer wall of the sealed container 11. An end of the air release pipe 16 on an opposite side to the air release hole 16a is sealed by plastic deformation to form a sealed part 16b. Thereby, after forming the sealed container 11 under a normal atmosphere, the internal space of the sealed container 11 can be closed airtightly. The sealed part 16b may be further sealed by welding.

Abstract: Several types of flow apparatus are disclosed including bypass parts, mass flow meters, and mass flow controllers are disclosed. A bypass unit includes a bypass part that is a plate-like member and a pair of external connection parts that is a pair of plate-like members laminated on two principal surfaces of the bypass part, respectively. The bypass part includes one first member or a laminated object of the first members. The first member is a sheet-like member in which a first inlet hole, a first outlet hole, and a groove, which makes these holes communicate with each other are formed. A second inlet hole and a second outlet hole are formed in the external connection part. The first inlet hole and the second inlet hole are configured to airtightly communicate, and the first outlet hole and the second outlet hole are configured to airtightly communicate with each other.

Abstract: A thermal mass-flow meter and mass-flow controller using the mass-flow meter are disclosed. The mass flow meter includes a base having an installation surface, a passage for fluid, and a bypass in the middle of the passage. The mass-flow meter also includes a case in contact with the installation surface of the base and housing a sensor tube and sensor wires. The mass flow sensor also includes a sensor circuit including a bridge circuit including the sensor wires and other resistive elements. A heat-transfer block is positioned adjacent to the case and in contact with the installation surface of the base. A bottom surface of the heat-transfer block and the installation surface of the base are in surface contact with each other, and at least one lateral surface of said heat-transfer block and a lateral surface of said case are in surface contact with each other.

Abstract: A first thermal shield constituted by a material with a thermal conductivity of 20 W/(m·K) or less and a second thermal shield constituted by a space are disposed between a passage and a laminated piezoelectric actuator. Preferably, a third thermal shield with a thermal conductivity of 20 W/(m·K) or less is further disposed. Thereby, a flow control valve which can effectively intercept a transmission of heat using a simpler and compacter structure than a flow control valve according to a conventional technology so that the temperature of a laminated piezoelectric actuator does not exceed its heat-resistant temperature even when it is used for high-temperature process gas is provided.

Abstract: Several types of flow apparatus are disclosed including bypass parts, mass flow meters, and mass flow controllers are disclosed. A bypass unit includes a bypass part that is a plate-like member and a pair of external connection parts that is a pair of plate-like members laminated on two principal surfaces of the bypass part, respectively. The bypass part includes one first member or a laminated object of the first members. The first member is a sheet-like member in which a first inlet hole, a first outlet hole, and a groove, which makes these holes communicate with each other are formed. A second inlet hole and a second outlet hole are formed in the external connection part. The first inlet hole and the second inlet hole are configured to airtightly communicate, and the first outlet hole and the second outlet hole are configured to airtightly communicate with each other.

Abstract: A thermal mass-flow meter and mass-flow controller using the mass-flow meter are disclosed. The mass flow meter includes a base having an installation surface, a passage for fluid, and a bypass in the middle of the passage. The mass-flow meter also includes a case in contact with the installation surface of the base and housing a sensor tube and sensor wires. The mass flow sensor also includes a sensor circuit including a bridge circuit including the sensor wires and other resistive elements. A heat-transfer block is positioned adjacent to the case and in contact with the installation surface of the base. A bottom surface of the heat-transfer block and the installation surface of the base are in surface contact with each other, and at least one lateral surface of said heat-transfer block and a lateral surface of said case are in surface contact with each other.

Abstract: Bulging portions elastically coming into contact with an inner peripheral surface of a fixation hole of a panel member are formed on an outer peripheral surface of a shaft portion of a waterproof clip made of an elastic material, thereby sealing a space between these surfaces by elasticity of the bulging portions to obtain a waterproof function, and firmly fixing the shaft portion to the panel member by friction force between the inner peripheral surface and the bulging portions. The clip requires no special seal member, thereby reducing the number of parts and assembly steps. Each bulging portion is formed narrower toward the front side in the insertion direction of the shaft portion, thereby easily press fitting the shaft portion into the fixation hole while improving waterproofness and airtightness by sufficiently compressing the bulging portions. The clip can surely fix an interior material to the panel member with excellent sealability.

Abstract: A first thermal shield constituted by a material with a thermal conductivity of 20 W/(m·K) or less and a second thermal shield constituted by a space are disposed between a passage and a laminated piezoelectric actuator. Preferably, a third thermal shield with a thermal conductivity of 20 W/(m·K) or less is further disposed. Thereby, a flow control valve which can effectively intercept a transmission of heat using a simpler and compacter structure than a flow control valve according to a conventional technology so that the temperature of a laminated piezoelectric actuator does not exceed its heat-resistant temperature even when it is used for high-temperature process gas is provided.

Abstract: Bulging portions elastically coming into contact with an inner peripheral surface of a fixation hole of a panel member are formed on an outer peripheral surface of a shaft portion of a waterproof clip made of an elastic material, thereby sealing a space between these surfaces by elasticity of the bulging portions to obtain a waterproof function, and firmly fixing the shaft portion to the panel member by friction force between the inner peripheral surface and the bulging portions. The clip requires no special seal member, thereby reducing the number of parts and assembly steps. Each bulging portion is formed narrower toward the front side in the insertion direction of the shaft portion, thereby easily press fitting the shaft portion into the fixation hole while improving waterproofness and airtightness by sufficiently compressing the bulging portions. The clip can surely fix an interior material to the panel member with excellent sealability.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method to isolate a cranial neural crest stem cell and novel compositions containing the cell. Also provided are compositions and methods to clonally expand the population and differentiate the cells into various phenotypes. Therapeutic methods for the compositions are further provided.

Abstract: An electrically conductive ceramics comprises a compound containing at least one element belonging to the Group 3A of the periodic table and TiO2−x (0<x<2) in a range such that the TiO2−x (0<x<2) accounts for 1 to 60 wt % of the total amount of the ceramics, and at least part of the compound and the TiO2−x form a composite oxide.