Abstract: A method for producing the piezoelectric thin film is based on a sol-gel process and comprises the steps of: coating a substrate with a sol composition comprising a sol, of a metal component for constituting a piezoelectric film, and a polymer compound and then drying the coating to form a film; pre-sintering the film to form a porous thin film of gel comprising an amorphous metal oxide; pre-annealing the porous thin film of gel to convert the film to a film of a crystalline metal oxide; repeating the steps at least once to form laminated films of a crystalline metal oxide; and annealing the films thus prepared to grow crystal grains of perovskite type in the film into a larger size.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film which has good properties, for example, a high dielectric constant and a high piezoelectric strain constant is disclosed. A method for producing a piezoelectric film, which causes no crack during annealing, is also disclosed. The piezoelectric thin film has a thickness in the range of from 0.5 to 20 .mu.m, comprises crystal grains having an average grain diameter of 0.005 to 0.2 .mu.m, and is free from any multilayer structure in its cross section.

Abstract: An ink composition for intermediate transfer ink jet recording, comprising water, a pigment, a colloidal dispersion resin, a volatile alkali component and a water-soluble organic solvent. The ink composition provides an excellent print quality and a good fixing strength independently of the kinds of recording media.

Abstract: A liquid composition for developing electrophotography, comprising a toner which comprises a pigment coated with a rosin or its derivative and an ethylene copolymer, and a carrier liquid having a high insulation and low dielectric constant, the toner being dispersed in the carrier liquid. The liquid composition for developing electrophotography according to the present invention provides a toner image having a sufficient density and a clear contour on a recording paper by means of a low pressure in an intermediate transfer system.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a thin endless filmm on which is formed a latent electrostatic image, the endless film having heat-resistant and dielectric properties, a transfer mechanism for transferring the endless film, a latent electrostatic image recording head disposed outside the endless film for recording a latent electrostatic image on the endless film, a developing unit disposed outside the endless film for developing the latent electrostatic image on the endless film by placing toner particles in close proximity to or bringing the toner particles into contact with the endless film, a back electrode and a heater disposed inside the endless film, a pressure roller opposed to the heater with respect to the endless film, and a discharge unit disposed outside the endless film for discharging the latent electrostatic image.

Abstract: An ink composition for ink-jet printing, capable of producing a high-quality image without causing blur, comprising, as essential components, a coloring component and a dispersion medium in which the coloring component is homogeneously dispersed and retained, characterized in that the coloring component is insoluble in the dispersion medium and is dispersed therein in the state of finely divided particles of a size of 0.01 .mu.m or more, that the dispersion medium comprises a liquid having a surface tension at 25.degree. C. of 50 dyn/cm or less, and that the ink composition has the property that the dispersion medium immediately separates from the coloring component at the instant when the ink composition is deposited on an image-recording material.

Abstract: An ink composition particularly well suited for use in an ink jet printer wherein the ink is jetted at temperatures higher than room temperature. The ink composition includes a metallic complex solvent dye coloring material dispersed in a vehicle of at least one high molecular weight alkyl amine, at least one high molecular weight fatty acid and carnauba wax.