Abstract: A vertically carrying apparatus comprising a carrying capsule that has a space for accommodating an object which is to be carried, the capsule incorporating a horizontal superconducting coil, and armature coils that are vertically arranged side by side outside the carrying capsule, wherein upward thrust force is obtained by a correlation between a persistent current that flows in the superconducting coil and magnetic fields that are produced around the armature coils.The vertically carrying apparatus further comprises a coil support device which includes the superconducting coil, a coil support member that supports the superconducting coil, a helium vessel that accommodates the superconducting coil and the coil support member and that also supports the coil support member through an oscillation preventing member, and a vacuum vessel that accommodates and supports the helium vessel.

Abstract: A method of producing an oxide fuel pellet having a low density is provided which comprises adding a manganese compound to an oxide fuel powder selected from a group consisting of uranium dioxide powder and a mixed powder of uranium dioxide and plutonium dioxide, in an amount of 0.01 to 5.0% by weight based on the weight of the oxide fuel powder, molding the resulting mixture into a pellet form, and sintering the pellet-formed mixture at a temperature of 1,200.degree. to 1,700.degree. C.