Abstract: A dielectric elastomer drive system A1 includes: a dielectric elastomer drive unit 1 provided with a dielectric elastomer layer 11 and a pair of electrode layers 12 flanking the dielectric elastomer layer 11; a power supply unit 5 configured to apply voltage to the dielectric elastomer drive unit 1; and a charge removal unit 2 configured to remove the charge stored in the dielectric elastomer drive unit 1. The configuration contributes to improving responsiveness.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion portion, a reset gate for controlling removal of a charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion portion, a charge accumulation portion, an accumulation gate for controlling a transfer of the charge from the photoelectric conversion portion to the charge accumulation portion, and a readout gate for controlling readout of the charge from the charge accumulation portion. The reset gate removes the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion portion by excitation light. The accumulation gate transfers the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion portion by fluorescence to the charge accumulation portion. The readout gate performs control for reading out the charge after the charge transfer is performed n times. The number n of the charge transfers is set for each pixel.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer drive system A1 includes: a dielectric elastomer drive unit 1 provided with a dielectric elastomer layer 11 and a pair of electrode layers 12 flanking the dielectric elastomer layer 11; a power supply unit 5 configured to apply voltage to the dielectric elastomer drive unit 1; and a charge removal unit 2 configured to remove the charge stored in the dielectric elastomer drive unit 1. The configuration contributes to improving responsiveness.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer vibration system includes a dielectric elastomer vibrator with a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers, and a power supply device producing a potential difference across the electrode layers. The vibrator exhibits various modes or regions of relationship between potential difference and deformation induced by the potential difference: a high-response region in which a relatively large deformation is induced; a low-response region of lower-potential difference in which a relatively small deformation is induced; and a low-response region of higher-potential difference in which a relatively small deformation is induced or in which a break point of the dielectric elastomer layer is included. The power supply device produces the potential difference by applying across the electrode layers a vibration signal voltage, which is generated by combining an AC voltage with a bias DC voltage corresponding to a potential difference falling in the high-response region.

Abstract: Provided are: a power generator including a dielectric elastomer element with an elastomer layer and electrodes sandwiching the layer; an intermediate power storage including a specific number of capacitors to receive output power from the power generator; a storage unit to receive output power from the intermediate power storage; and a controller for setting control by switching a mode between an input mode and an output mode. In the input mode, some number of the capacitors of the intermediate power storage are connected to the power generator such that a series number is an input series number of less than or equal to the specific number. In the output mode, some number of the capacitors are connected to the storage unit such that the series number is an output series number which is smaller than the input series number.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer sensor system A1 is provided with an oscillation circuit 1 including a dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 having a dielectric elastomer layer 111 and a pair of electrode layers 112 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 111, and with a determination circuit 2 configured to determine a change in a capacitance of the dielectric elastomer sensor element 11, based on an output signal from the oscillation circuit 1. The dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 changes in capacitance due to deformation caused by external forces of at least two mutually different directions. Such a configuration enables provision of a multifunctional dielectric elastomer sensor system and dielectric elastomer sensor element.

Abstract: Provided are: a power generator including a dielectric elastomer element with an elastomer layer and electrodes sandwiching the layer; an intermediate power storage including a specific number of capacitors to receive output power from the power generator; a storage unit to receive output power from the intermediate power storage; and a controller for setting control by switching a mode between an input mode and an output mode. In the input mode, some number of the capacitors of the intermediate power storage are connected to the power generator such that a series number is an input series number of less than or equal to the specific number. In the output mode, some number of the capacitors are connected to the storage unit such that the series number is an output series number which is smaller than the input series number.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer sensor system A1 is provided with an oscillation circuit 1 including a dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 having a dielectric elastomer layer 111 and a pair of electrode layers 112 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 111, and with a determination circuit 2 configured to determine a change in a capacitance of the dielectric elastomer sensor element 11, based on an output signal from the oscillation circuit 1. The dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 changes in capacitance due to deformation caused by external forces of at least two mutually different directions. Such a configuration enables provision of a multifunctional dielectric elastomer sensor system and dielectric elastomer sensor element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe (2) for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic waves from/to an object (1), ultrasound image structuring means (6) for generating an ultrasound image from a reflected echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe, elastic image structuring means (7) for obtaining a physical quantity of the elasticity of a region of the object corresponding to the ultrasound image from the reflected echo signal and generating a color elastic image, display means (9) for overlaying the ultrasound image to the color elastic image, or arranging the ultrasound image and the color elastic input means (17) for variably setting a corresponding relationship between a hue of the color elastic image and the level of the physical quantity displayed on the screen.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe (2) for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic waves from/to an object (1), ultrasound image structuring means (6) for generating an ultrasound image from a reflected echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe, elastic image structuring means (7) for obtaining a physical quantity of the elasticity of a region of the object corresponding to the ultrasound image from the reflected echo signal and generating a color elastic image, display means (9) for overlaying the ultrasound image to the color elastic image, or arranging the ultrasound image and the color elastic image and displaying the resultant image on a screen, and input means (17) for variably setting a corresponding relationship between a hue of the color elastic image and the level of the physical quantity displayed on the screen.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe (2) for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic waves from/to an object (1), ultrasound image structuring means (6) for generating an ultrasound image from a reflected echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe, elastic image structuring means (7) for obtaining a physical quantity of the elasticity of a region of the object corresponding to the ultrasound image from the reflected echo signal and generating a color elastic image, display means (9) for overlaying the ultrasound image to the color elastic image, or arranging the ultrasound image and the color elastic input means (17) for variably setting a corresponding relationship between a hue of the color elastic image and the level of the physical quantity displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A computer color matching method of paint for measuring a proper formulation of colorants for obtaining a target color or color and luster, or a proper formulation of colorants and luster color materials, directly in a liquid state of paint, without preparing painted panels from adjusted paint, and calculating the adjusted blending ratio easily and accurately, and a paint manufacturing method by using this method.

Abstract: A computer color matching method of paint for measuring a proper formulation of colorants for obtaining a target color or color and luster, or a proper formulation of colorants and luster color materials, directly in a liquid state of paint, without preparing painted panels from adjusted paint, and calculating the adjusted blending ratio easily and accurately, and a paint manufacturing method by using this method.

Abstract: A dispersing system comprises a dispersing apparatus, a storage tank for storing a dispersing medium and a liquid containing a material to be treated, and conduits for connecting the dispersing apparatus in fluid communication with the storage tank. The dispersing apparatus comprises a dispersing chamber, at least one rotationally driven disc, a suction inlet through which the liquid containing the material to be treated and the dispersing medium are drawn from the storage tank into the dispersing chamber by the suction created by rotation of the disc, a discharge outlet, and a medium-separating device for separating the dispersing medium from the liquid containing the dispersed material and selectively discharging the liquid containing the dispersed material but not the dispersing medium from the discharge outlet.

Abstract: In the fabrication of an MIS transistor, the distribution characteristic of the impurity density with respect to the depth of the first region exhibited when the amount of ions implanted for channel doping is varied is first determined. The swing value is calculated from the gate voltage - drain current characteristic on the basis of the distribution characteristic obtained. Ions are implanted to the channel portion at a dose which is selected in accordance with the impurity density of the first region so that the swing value takes the minimum value or a value as small as possible, thereby producing an MIS type semiconductor device having a channel doping structure in a first region between a source and a drain.