Abstract: The method includes a process of (i) and a process of (ii) in this order. In the process of (i), the potential of a first anode and the potential of a first cathode are adjusted in an aqueous solution containing chloride ions so as to increase the concentration of free chlorine in the aqueous solution. In the process of (ii), the potential of a second anode and the potential of a second cathode are adjusted in the aqueous solution so as to decrease the concentration of free chlorine in the aqueous solution. The difference between the potential of the second anode and the potential of the second cathode in the process of (ii) is smaller than the difference between the potential of the first anode and the potential of the first cathode in the process of (i).

Abstract: The method includes a process of (i) and a process of (ii) in this order. In the process of (i), the potential of a first anode and the potential of a first cathode are adjusted in an aqueous solution containing chloride ions so as to increase the concentration of free chlorine in the aqueous solution. In the process of (ii), the potential of a second anode and the potential of a second cathode are adjusted in the aqueous solution so as to decrease the concentration of free chlorine in the aqueous solution. The difference between the potential of the second anode and the potential of the second cathode in the process of (ii) is smaller than the difference between the potential of the first anode and the potential of the first cathode in the process of (i).

Abstract: A functional water generator capable of making best use of functional water generated in an electrolysis vessel is provided.

Abstract: The portable device of the present invention for regulating the hardness of drinking water includes a collapsible electrode group (20) including ion-adsorbing electrodes (21) and (22) and a power supply (13) for applying a voltage between the ion-adsorbing electrode (21) and the ion-adsorbing electrode (22). The first ion-adsorbing electrode (21) includes a first electrically conductive material capable of adsorbing ions. The second ion-adsorbing electrode includes a second electrically conductive material capable of adsorbing ions. In an example, a voltage is applied between the first ion-adsorbing electrode (21) and the second ion-adsorbing electrode (22), with the first and second ion-adsorbing electrodes (21) and (22) being immersed in the drinking water (25). The applied voltage regulates the amount of ions adsorbed on the first and second electrically conductive materials, and thereby the hardness of the drinking water is regulated.

Abstract: The disinfection method of the present invention includes steps (i) and (ii). In step (i), a voltage is applied, in an aqueous liquid (21), between a counter electrode (13) and a first ion-adsorbing electrode (11) containing a first electrically conductive material (11a) capable of adsorbing an ion reversibly, thereby changing a pH of the aqueous liquid (21) to a value less than 5 or to a value greater than 9. In step (ii), the pH of the aqueous liquid 21 is adjusted to a range of 5 to 9.

Abstract: The portable device of the present invention for regulating the hardness of drinking water includes a collapsible electrode group (20) including ion-adsorbing electrodes (21) and (22) and a power supply (13) for applying a voltage between the ion-adsorbing electrode (21) and the ion-adsorbing electrode (22). The first ion-adsorbing electrode (21) includes a first electrically conductive material capable of adsorbing ions. The second ion-adsorbing electrode includes a second electrically conductive material capable of adsorbing ions. In an example, a voltage is applied between the first ion-adsorbing electrode (21) and the second ion-adsorbing electrode (22), with the first and second ion-adsorbing electrodes (21) and (22) being immersed in the drinking water (25). The applied voltage regulates the amount of ions adsorbed on the first and second electrically conductive materials, and thereby the hardness of the drinking water is regulated.

Abstract: In the process of the present invention, first, voltage is applied between an electroconductive substance (11) capable of adsorbing ions and a counter electrode (12) in an aqueous solution (20) containing at least one type of ions (L) other than hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, so that at least a part of the ions (L) contained in the aqueous solution (20) are allowed to be adsorbed on the electroconductive substance (11). Subsequently, the electroconductive substance (11) is removed from the aqueous solution (20) and then is washed.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention, in an aqueous solution 20 containing at least one type of ions (L) other than hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, voltage is applied between an ion-adsorbing electrode 11 containing an electrically conductive material (C1) capable of adsorbing ions and an ion-adsorbing electrode 12 containing an electrically conductive material (C2) capable of adsorbing ions so that the ion-adsorbing electrode 11 serves as an anode. Thus the electrically conductive material (C1) is allowed to adsorb an anion contained in the aqueous solution 20 and the electrically conductive material (C2) is allowed to adsorb a cation contained in the aqueous solution 20. Subsequently, in a liquid 30 containing water, voltage is applied between either the ion-adsorbing electrode 11 or the ion-adsorbing electrode 12 and counter electrode 13 or 14, resulting in changing the pH of the liquid 30.

Abstract: A light-emitting element of the present invention, includes: a porous light-emitting body including an insulator having a void and an inorganic phosphor particle; and at least two electrodes provided so as to contact with a surface of the light-emitting body. A voltage is applied to the at least two electrodes so as to generate discharge, and the light-emitting body is pumped by the discharge so as to emit light. Thereby, a light-emitting element that is reduced in a deterioration of brightness and a degradation of reliability of phosphors and does not require the vacuum encapsulation and the application of a high voltage, which are required for glow discharge, and still-higher level of thin-film technology can be provided. By arranging these light-emitting elements two-dimensionally in a matrix form, a flat display device with a simple configuration can be provided at a low cost.

Abstract: In a container 10, a first electrode 11 containing a first electrically conductive material capable of adsorbing an ion and a second electrode 12 containing a second electrically conductive material capable of adsorbing an ion are immersed in a liquid (aqueous solution 13) containing at least one type of ion other than hydrogen ion and hydroxide ion. Then a voltage is applied between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 so that the first electrode 11 serves as an anode. This voltage application allows the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 to adsorb anions and cations contained in the aqueous solution 13, respectively. In this ion adsorption step, the aqueous solution 13 is treated by a batch method. The voltage to be applied is higher than a voltage that causes electrolysis of a solvent of the solution, assuming that no voltage drop is caused by the liquid (aqueous solution 13).

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is constructed by forming a common electrode 27 of Cr, a piezoelectric layer 29 of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3, a cover layer 31 of BaTiO3, and an individual electrode 33 of Pt in this order into a laminate. The thickness of the piezoelectric layer 29 in the lamination direction (T1) and the thickness of the cover layer 31 in the lamination direction (T2) satisfy the relationship of 0.08?T2/T1?1. The relative dielectric constant of the piezoelectric layer 29 (?r1) and the relative dielectric constant of the cover layer 31 (?r2) satisfy the relationship of ?r2/?r1?0.2.

Abstract: A method for testing a precursor of a secondary cell with high reliability and high efficiency to judge the precursor to be acceptable or defective. The current flowing when a test voltage is applied between a pair of electrodes is measured before an electrolyte is placed between the electrodes. If a current the current value of which exceeds a predetermined reference current value (13) is detected during the time from the start of application of a voltage to a normal secondary cell precursor until the current becomes constant, the precursor is determined to be defective.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator 21 has: a piezoelectric actuator part 22 made up of a common electrode 27, a piezoelectric element 29, and an individual electrode 33; an electrical interconnection joint part 43 formed on the individual electrode 33; an electrical interconnection 45 formed on the electrical interconnection joint part 43; a head block 47 fixed to a nozzle plate 39 through the electrical interconnection 45; and a PI tape 49 disposed within the head block 47. A closed space 57 is defined between the head block 47 and the nozzle plate 39. The closed space 57 is divided by the PI tape 49 into two sections. Of these two sections of the closed space 57, the one on the side of the head block 47 constitutes a first closed space 57a. A moisture absorbent 52 is sealed within the first closed space 57a. Relative humidity within the closed space 57 of the ink jet head 1 is not less than 0% nor more than 20%.

Abstract: In the present invention, a capacitor element including a valve action metal, an oxide film layer formed on the surface of the valve action metal, and a solid electrolytic layer formed on the oxide film layer is provided with an organic compound having a boiling point of not lower than 150° C. and a melting point of not higher than 150° C., and the capacitor element including the organic compound is arranged inside a package. The oxide film is repaired with the organic compound as a solvent by an application of a dc voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolytic capacitor having a large capacitance sufficiently close to its design capacitance, and a method of easily producing such an electrolytic capacitor wherein a cathode-side conductive polymer layer of an electrolyzing electrode is formed on at least one side surface of an anode valve metal foil having through holes 20 and a coarsened surface, electrolysis is carried out in a conductive monomer solution, with the polymer layer used as the anode, and an electrolytically-formed conductive polymer layer is formed on the surface of the dielectric oxide film of the valve metal foil, thereby obtaining an electrolytic capacitor, whereby it is possible to easily obtain an electrolytic capacitor having a large capacitance sufficiently close to its design capacitance.

Abstract: A method for testing a precursor of a secondary cell with high reliability and high efficiency to judge the precursor to be acceptable or defective. The current flowing when a test voltage is applied between a pair of electrodes is measured before an electrolyte is placed between the electrodes. If a current the current value of which exceeds a predetermined reference current value (13) is detected during the time from the start of application of a voltage to a normal secondary cell precursor until the current becomes constant, the precursor is determined to be defective.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator 21 has: a piezoelectric actuator part 22 made up of a common electrode 27, a piezoelectric element 29, and an individual electrode 33; an electrical interconnection joint part 43 formed on the individual electrode 33; an electrical interconnection 45 formed on the electrical interconnection joint part 43; a head block 47 fixed to a nozzle plate 39 through the electrical interconnection 45; and a PI tape 49 disposed within the head block 47. A closed space 57 is defined between the head block 47 and the nozzle plate 39. The closed space 57 is divided by the PI tape 49 into two sections. Of these two sections of the closed space 57, the one on the side of the head block 47 constitutes a first closed space 57a. A moisture absorbent 52 is sealed within the first closed space 57a. Relative humidity within the closed space 57 of the ink jet head 1 is not less than 0% nor more than 20%.

Abstract: A light-emitting element of the present invention, includes: a porous light-emitting body including an insulator having a void and an inorganic phosphor particle; and at least two electrodes provided so as to contact with a surface of the light-emitting body. A voltage is applied to the at least two electrodes so as to generate discharge, and the light-emitting body is pumped by the discharge so as to emit light. Thereby, a light-emitting element that is reduced in a deterioration of brightness and a degradation of reliability of phosphors and does not require the vacuum encapsulation and the application of a high voltage, which are required for glow discharge, and still-higher level of thin-film technology can be provided. By arranging these light-emitting elements two-dimensionally in a matrix form, a flat display device with a simple configuration can be provided at a low cost.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator 21 has: a piezoelectric actuator part 22 made up of a common electrode 27, a piezoelectric element 29, and an individual electrode 33; an electrical interconnection joint part 43 formed on the individual electrode 33; an electrical interconnection 45 formed on the electrical interconnection joint part 43; a head block 47 fixed to a nozzle plate 39 through the electrical interconnection 45; and a PI tape 49 disposed within the head block 47. A closed space 57 is defined between the head block 47 and the nozzle plate 39. The closed space 57 is divided by the PI tape 49 into two sections. Of these two sections of the closed space 57, the one on the side of the head block 47 constitutes a first closed space 57a. A moisture absorbent 52 is sealed within the first closed space 57a. Relative humidity within the closed space 57 of the ink jet head 1 is not less than 0% nor more than 20%.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is constructed by forming a common electrode 27 of Cr, a piezoelectric layer 29 of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3, a cover layer 31 of BaTiO3, and an individual electrode 33 of Pt in this order into a laminate. The thickness of the piezoelectric layer 29 in the lamination direction (T1) and the thickness of the cover layer 31 in the lamination direction (T2) satisfy the relationship of 0.08?T2/T1?1. The relative dielectric constant of the piezoelectric layer 29 (?r1) and the relative dielectric constant of the cover layer 31 (?r2) satisfy the relationship of ?r2/?r1?0.2.