Abstract: The present invention provides a broad band light absorbing photocatalyst which has a high absorptivity not only for visible light but also, in particular, for ultraviolet light, exhibits photocatalytic activity in response to a broad band light over a long period, has a high adsorptivity for objects to be decomposed, and can exhibit oxidative decomposition effect, antibacterial effect, antifouling effect, etc. The broad band light absorbing photocatalyst of the present invention includes an apatite having photocatalytic activity, a visible light absorbing metal atom and an ultraviolet light absorbing metal atom and the ultraviolet light absorbing metal atom is at least one of tungsten (W) and vanadium (V).

Abstract: An antibacterial measure using titanium oxide includes mixing titanium oxide in a resin to form a coating resin, and then coating a key surface with the coating resin. This method requires formation of a coating layer on a resin molding and thus increases the number of the production steps and cost. Furthermore, in the method, a coating film containing an antibacterial agent is scraped off light by little at each time of keying, and thus the film is finally completely removed to lose its antibacterial function. A conceivable measure against this includes directly mixing a resin and an antibacterial agent. However, titanium oxide used as an antibacterial agent degrades a raw material resin. It has recently be thought that photocatalytic apatite as a substitute for titanium oxide also causes chalking, and an antibacterial coating layer has been formed on a surface of a resin molding.

Abstract: A method for forming a photocatalytic apatite includes a target production step (S12) for producing a sputtering target that contains photocatalytic apatite, and a sputtering step (S13) for forming a photocatalytic apatite film on a substrate by sputtering using the target. A firing step (S11) for firing the photocatalytic apatite is conducted before the sputtering step so as to increase the crystallinity of the photocatalytic apatite.

Abstract: An air cleaner X1 includes a cleaning chamber (R2) through which air can pass, an ultraviolet light source (12) provided in the cleaning chamber (R2), a flow generator (11) for generating an air flow in the cleaning chamber (R2) by passing air through the cleaning chamber (R2), and photocatalyst granules (13) having a photocatalytic function, held in the cleaning chamber (R2), and displaceable by the air flow.

Abstract: An apatite-containing film having photocatalytic activity is produced by a process comprising the steps of preparing a liquid mixture comprising a Ca-containing compound and a P-containing compound, subjecting the liquid mixture to reaction to prepare an apatite-precursor composition, applying the apatite-precursor composition to a substrate, and drying the applied apatite-precursor composition. The process may further comprise a heating step after the drying step. The apatite-precursor composition is preferably in the form of a sol.

Abstract: A film containing a photo-catalyst apatite contains an inorganic coating main material, and a powdered photo-catalyst apatite and powdered titanium oxide that disperse within the inorganic coating main material, in which the total content of the photo-catalyst apatite and the titanium oxide is 0.01-5 wt %.

Abstract: An agricultural chemical component includes an active agricultural chemical ingredient and a powder metal-modified apatite which has part of metal atoms in its apatite crystal structure provided by an optically catalytic metal. Preferably, the metal-modified apatite is coated with an organic film.

Abstract: An apatite-containing film having photocatalytic activity is produced by a process comprising the steps of preparing a liquid mixture comprising a Ca-containing compound and a P-containing compound, subjecting the liquid mixture to reaction to prepare an apatite-precursor composition, applying the apatite-precursor composition to a substrate, and drying the applied apatite-precursor composition. The process may further comprise a heating step after the drying step. The apatite-precursor composition is preferably in the form of a sol.

Abstract: An antibacterial, antifouling paint for construction materials contains a coating resin composition and powdery metal-modified apatite. Part of metal atoms in the apatite crystal structure is provided by an optically catalytic metal. Preferably, the metal-modified apatite is a calcium hydroxyapatite which has part of its Ca atoms substituted by Ti.

Abstract: A method for preserving food includes putting food in a container having an inner surface coated with a metal-modified apatite or in a container made of a material to which the metal-modified apatite is added, the metal-modified apatite having an apatite crystal structure including metal atoms partially comprising photocatalytic metal, and placing the container in a dark place at least temporarily.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an antibacterial layer containing a metal-modified apatite. First, an apatite-containing liquid is prepared, which contains both an inorganic coating agent and 0.01˜5 wt % of metal-modified apatite powder. Then, the apatite-containing liquid is applied to an object. The applied liquid is dried and hardened to form the desired antibacterial layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an antibacterial layer containing a metal-modified apatite. First, an apatite-containing liquid is prepared, which contains both an inorganic coating agent and 0.01˜5 wt % of metal-modified apatite powder. Then, the apatite-containing liquid is applied to an object. The applied liquid is dried and hardened to form the desired antibacterial layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an antibacterial layer containing a metal-modified apatite. First, an apatite-containing liquid is prepared, which contains both an inorganic coating agent and 0.01˜5 wt % of metal-modified apatite powder. Then, the apatite-containing liquid is applied to an object. The applied liquid is dried and hardened to form the desired antibacterial layer.

Abstract: An electrical connecting device including a first circuit board providing thereon with input/output terminals, each of the terminals having a tip surface coated with gallium and a second circuit board providing thereon with contact terminals, each of the terminals having a tip surface coated with indium or tin. A low-melting point alloy layer is formed by a mutual action between gallium and indium or tin, when the input/output terminals of the first circuit board are in contact with the respective terminals of the second circuit board and the terminals are electrically connected to each other. The second metal layer includes a plurality of wire-like metal supports extending substantially perpendicular to the surface of the terminal and a low-melting point metal retained by the wire-like metal supports.

Abstract: An electrical connecting device including a first circuit board providing thereon with input/output terminals, each of the terminals having a tip surface coated with gallium and a second circuit board providing thereon with contact terminals, each of the terminals having a tip surface coated with indium or tin. A low-melting point alloy layer is formed by a mutual action between gallium and indium or tin, when the input/output terminals of the first circuit board are in contact with the respective terminals of the second circuit board and the terminals are electrically connected to each other. The second metal layer includes a plurality of wire-like metal supports extending substantially perpendicular to the surface of the terminal and a low-melting point metal retained by the wire-like metal supports.

Abstract: A process for producing a multi-layer wiring board having alternate layers of a glass ceramic material and conductor patterns. The glass ceramic layers are made up of a glass ceramic material including a glass matrix and ceramic particles dispersed in the matrix. The glass ceramic layers are caused to contain hollow or porous silica glass spheres dispersed in the glass ceramic material. The hollow or porous silica glass spheres are covered with a ceramic coating layer containing alumina as a constituent element. Such a structure prevents crystallization of the silica spheres and avoids the resultant rapid increase in the the thermal expansion coefficient of the glass ceramic layers. The structure provided by the process of the invention also precudes the formation of pores in the surfaces of the glass ceramic layers.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multi-layer glass ceramic substrate which includes the steps of forming green sheets containing ceramic powders and glass powders as main ingredients, laminating the green sheets, and firing the laminated green sheets to form a multi-layer glass ceramic substrate, wherein at least one green sheet containing porous glass powders as a part of the glass powders, is provided to control the shrinkage of the green sheets and prevent cracks or delamination.

Abstract: A laminated multi-layer wiring board comprising alternate layers of a glass ceramic material and conductor pattern. The glass ceramic layers are made of a glass ceramic comprising glass and dispersed ceramic particles. The glass ceramic layers further contain hollow or porous silica glass spheres dispersed in the glass ceramic. The hollow or porous silica glass spheres are covered with a ceramic coating layer containing aluminum as a constituent element. Such a structure prevents crystallization of the silica spheres and the resultant rapid increase in the thermal expansion coefficient of the glass ceramic layer. The structure also procludes the formation of pores in the surfaces of the spheres.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a green sheet and a glass ceramic substrate are herein disclosed.