Abstract: A metal plating structure, characterized in that it comprises a metal plating film and, incorporated therein, a fine carbon fiber of a derivative thereof, wherein the fine carbon fiber represents a carbon fiber having a diameter of approximately 200 nm or less and an aspect ratio of approximately 10 or more; the metal plating structure, which further comprises a resin material incorporated therein; and a method for producing the metal plating structure. Examples of the derivative include substances prepared by subjecting the fine carbon fiber to various chemical modifications and by fluorinating the fine carbon fiber. The metal plating structure can be suitably used for incorporating a fine carbon fiber of a derivative thereof into a metal at an ordinary temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides metal particles, in which microfine carbon fibers are uniformly dispersed, and a method of producing such metal particles. The method comprises the steps of: electrolyzing an electrolytic solution, in which the microfine carbon fibers are dispersed, so as to deposit metal particles, in which the microfine carbon fibers are incorporated, on a cathode; and separating the deposited metal particles from the cathode. The separated metal particles are collected, cleaned and dried.

Abstract: A carbon fiber for a field electron emitter has a coaxial stacking morphology of truncated conical tubular graphene layers, each of which includes a hexagonal carbon layer and has a large ring end and a small ring end at opposite ends in the axial direction. The edges of the hexagonal carbon layers are exposed on at least part of the large ring ends. Since all the exposed edges function as electron emission tips, a large amount of emission current can be obtained.

Abstract: In an expanded carbon fiber product according to the present invention, a number of hexagonal carbon layers in the shape of a cup having no bottom are stacked. At least part of edges of the hexagonal carbon layers is exposed at an outer surface or inner surface of the expanded carbon fiber product. At least part of gaps between the hexagonal carbon layers is larger than the gaps between the hexagonal carbon layers at the time of vapor growth.

Abstract: A carbon fiber product according to the present invention is a carbon fiber product in which one to several hundreds of hexagonal carbon layers in the shape of a bottomless cup are stacked. Edges of the hexagonal carbon layers are exposed on at least part of an outer surface or inner surface. The exposed part of the edges of the hexagonal carbon layers have a high degree of activity and excel in adhesion to base materials such as resins. Therefore, this carbon fiber product is suitable as a material for composites.

Abstract: An ultrathin carbon fiber having two or more tubular graphene sheets layered is disclosed. The tubular graphene sheets has a polygonal cross section in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the ultrathin carbon fibers, a diameter of the fiber is 15 to 100 nm, an aspect ratio of the carbon fiber is not more than 105, and ID/IG of the carbon fiber as determined by Raman spectroscopy is not more than 0.2.

Abstract: Fine carbon fibers having a fiber diameter of 1 ?m or less, an interlayer distance d002 between carbon layers as determined by an X-ray diffraction method of 0.335 to 0.342 nm or less and satisfying d002<0.3448-0.0028 (log ?) where ? stands for the diameter of the carbon fibers, and a thickness Lc of the crystal in the C axis direction of 40 nm or less. Fine carbon fibers containing boron in crystals of the fiber. The fine carbon fibers can be produced by using vapor-grown fine carbon fibers as a raw material, adding a boron or a boron compound to the material; pressing the mixture to regulate the bulk density to preferably 0.05 g/cm3 or more; and heating at a temperature of 2000° C. or higher.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball bearing that includes a plurality of balls and a retainer. The present invention also relates to a self-winding timepiece that is provided with a ball bearing. The present invention employs a retainer that is formed from a resin that contains filler as a component element of the ball bearing. Alternatively, the present invention employs a ball bearing that has a retainer that is formed from a resin that contains filler as a component element of the self-winding timepiece.

Abstract: The commutator is capable of reducing contact resistance between the brush and a commutator, improving efficiency of an electric rotary device and restricting exhaustion of the commutator. The commutator comprises: a plurality of commutating pieces having outer faces; and a plurality of sliding members fixed on the outer faces of the commutating pieces, the sliding members including carbon nano fibers or carbon nano tubes whose outermost layers have electric conductivity.

Abstract: The actuator is capable of greatly deforming a flexible sheet member. The actuator comprises: a flexible sheet member being made of a polymer material; and a pair of electrodes being respectively provided on both faces of the sheet member, the electrodes being made of carbon nano fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece. Moreover, the present invention relates to a conductive spring which can be used in an alarm electronic timepiece, or the like. Also the present invention is constituted to include one or more curved sections so as to be deformable, and constitutes a conductive spring formed from a filler containing resin. Alternatively it constitutes an electronic timepiece in which this conductive spring is used for transferring a buzzer signal. Furthermore it constitutes a conductive part comprising this conductive spring and a housing which retains the conductive spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic motor, an electronic timepiece, and an electronic apparatus, which includes an ultrasonic rotor formed from a base resin of thermoplastic resin. Moreover, the invention includes an ultrasonic rotor which contacts with an ultrasonic stator under pressure, the ultrasonic rotor being formed from a filler containing resin. Alternatively an electronic timepiece with the ultrasonic motor is constructed. Furthermore, an electronic apparatus with the ultrasonic motor which is constructed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece which has a resin bearing section. Moreover, the invention relates to a wheel train apparatus which has a resin bearing section. The invention is constituted by the timepiece provided with a gear wheel and supporting members which support the gear wheel, the supporting members being formed from a filler containing resin. Alternatively the invention is constituted by the wheel train apparatus provided with a gear wheel and supporting members which support the gear wheel, the supporting members being formed from a filler containing resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sliding parts, precision parts and timepieces and electronic equipment using those parts. Sliding parts are composed by a resin in which the degree of orientation of a fibrous filler is higher at the portion serving as the sliding surface than inside the sliding part, and the fibrous filler is oriented along the sliding surface on the sliding surface. Alternatively, precision parts are composed by a resin to which has been added carbon fibers for which a carbon compound is thermally decomposed to carbon in the vapor phase and simultaneously grown directly into fibers simultaneous to this thermal decomposition. Moreover, timepieces and electronic equipment are composed by these sliding parts or these precision parts.

Abstract: A charged particle generating method in which mode is changeable between an ion generation mode and an electron generation mode. In the ion generation mode, a raw material is supplied to a tip end of a charged particle generating electrode through a raw-material passage formed in the charged particle generating electrode. A first electric field, in which the charged particle generating electrode is positive and the charged particle extract electrode is negative, is generated to emit ions from the raw material at the charged particle generating electrode. In the electron generation mode, supplying the raw material from the raw-material supply section is stopped. A second electric field, in which the charged particle generating electrode is negative and the charged particle extract electrode is positive, is generated to emit electrons from the raw material at the charged particle generating electrode.

Abstract: The shaft and the bearing are capable of reducing vibration and noise of a motor. The shaft comprises: a shaft proper; and a sliding section provided to the shaft proper, the sliding section including carbon nano fibers or carbon nano tubes. On the other hand, the bearing comprises: a bearing proper; and a sliding section provided to the bearing proper, the sliding section including carbon nano fibers or carbon nano tubes.

Abstract: To provide a jumper structure which is light-weighted and capable of reducing fabrication cost and a timepiece using the same. A jumper structure of a timepiece is constituted by integrally molding a jumping and restricting portion made of carbon nanofiber and a spring portion made of carbon nanofiber. A jumping and restricting portion of the jumper structure is thicker than the spring portion and the jumping and restricting portion includes a projected portion in a flat plate shape and in an eaves-like shape.

Abstract: A fluorinated carbon fiber has a hollow core structure in which a number of hexagonal carbon layers in the shape of a cup having no bottom are stacked. Edges of the hexagonal carbon layers are exposed on the inner and outer surfaces of the fluorinated carbon fiber. In the fluorinated carbon fiber, the exposed edges of the hexagonal carbon layers are fluorinated and have a structure shown by CxFy.

Abstract: By enhancing a sealing property of an electrochemical cell, enhancement of its long-term reliability is attempted. In the electrochemical cell in which a power generation element is sealed by an outer packaging laminated film, a sealing material is melt-bonded in an entire periphery of a predetermined portion of an outer lead terminal.

Abstract: The brush is capable of reducing contact resistance between the brush and a commutator, improving efficiency of a motor and restricting exhaustion of the brush. The brush includes carbon nano fibers and/or carbon nano tubes whose outermost layers have electric conductivity.