Abstract: A water quality meter is composed of a plurality of analyzing units for analyzing water samples introduced from a water distribution pipe, each analyzing unit including a reagent mixing cell and a measuring cell, and a liquid introducing unit integrated with the analyzing units, which is composed of a single member in which a plurality of fluid flow paths for feeding various types of liquid including the water sample into the analyzing unit are formed. Furthermore, the cells and the plurality of three-dimensional fluid flow paths formed in the single member are fabricated by a micro-fabrication technique using photo-curing resin.

Abstract: A water quality meter is composed of a plurality of analyzing units for analyzing water samples introduced from a water distribution pipe, each analyzing unit including a reagent mixing cell and a measuring cell, and a liquid introducing unit integrated with the analyzing units, which is composed of a single member in which a plurality of fluid flow paths for feeding various types of liquid including the water sample into the analyzing unit are formed. Furthermore, the cells and the plurality of three-dimensional fluid flow paths formed in the single member are fabricated by a micro-fabrication technique using photo-curing resin.

Abstract: A slider unit having a reading or reproducing head, with the head being adapted to float over a surface of an information recording disc. The slider unit includes a slider body having a flying height sensor with float surfaces on an underside thereof to generate a lifting force. A piezoelectrically or electrostatically controlled valve layer may be positioned over a vent communicating between an upper surface of the slider, with the vent opening to a recess for generating a negative lift component at an underside of the slider unit. The slider body is made from a ceramic base portion and includes a semiconductive insert portion of, for example, silicon or a photosensitive glass with an adjustment device being formed by utilization of microfabrication techniques such as deposition and etching.

Abstract: In an overall stacked piezoelectric element, the material for the electrode was selected from aluminum, nickel and copper each alone or alloys based on aluminum, nickel or copper, and further the parts of the electrode which contact with molding resin on the side face of the stacked body and the parts which have to be insulated from the lead-out terminals were subjected to an oxidation or nitriding treatment. As the result, an improved element was obtained which is of a high reliability, suited to low voltage operation and suffers no short-circuit of the electrode even when water permeates to the side face of the stacked body during operation in humid atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas sensor for measuring an air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture of an internal combustion engine and to a method of manufacturing the gas sensor. The sensor of the invention comprises: a solid state electrolyte layer made of an oxygen ion conductive metal oxide; a first electrode of a porous thin film having the catalyst function which was coated on one surface of the solid state electrolyte layer; a second electrode of a porous thin film having the catalyst function which was coated on the other surface of the solid state electrolyte layer; an electrode shielding layer made of a sintered material of ultra fine particulates whose average grain diameter is 1 .mu.m or less which covers the surface other than the region of a predetermined area of the second electrode; and a gas diffusion layer made of a porous electric insulative metal oxide which covers the region of the predetermined area of at least the second electrode.

Abstract: An air/fuel ratio (A/F) sensor for detecting the A/F over a wide range covering a lean region and a rich region which are partitioned by the stoichiometric A/F comprises a solid electrolyte made of an oxygen ion conductive metal oxide, first and second electrodes sandwiching the solid electrolyte and being operable by a predetermined voltage applied thereacross to ionize oxygen near the solid electrolyte and diffuse oxygen ions into the solid electrolyte, and a gas diffusion layer in the form of a porous sintered layer covering the second electrode and made of electrically insulative metal oxide fine particles having a mean particulate size of 1 .mu.m or less so that oxygen or molecules of other gas components in the exhaust gas can move through pores of the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing ultrafine particles by arc energy characterized by disposing an electrode inclinedly as to a base material so as to generate a magnetic blow to arc, disposing a suction opening at the direction of the arc blown, and cooling vapors generated, followed by collection thereof can improve the production efficiency of ultrafine particles with a uniform particle size.

Abstract: In a method wherein arcs are struck across a material to vaporize into ultra-fine particles and an electrode, thereby to manufacture the ultra-fine particles; the material to turn into the ultra-fine particles is arranged for at least either of the electrodes, and plasma currents are generated from the material and the electrode, whereby the formation rate of the ultra-fine particles per unit input is increased, and the material is formed in the shape of a rod or a wire, and a feeder capable of continuously supplying the material is disposed, whereby the ultra-fine particles can be continuously manufactured.