Abstract: A power storage module includes: a stack including power storage cells stacked in a first direction and having stack side surfaces that extends in the first direction; and a sealing member formed in contact with the stack side surfaces. The power storage cells each includes: a first electrode including a first electrode plate having a first surface and a first active material layer formed on the first surface; a second electrode including a second electrode plate having a second surface and a second active material layer having an electrode polarity different from that of the first active material layer and formed on the second surface; and a spacer. A portion of the sealing member disposed on at least one of the stack side surfaces serves as a low elastic modulus portion that has an elastic modulus lower than that of the spacer.

Abstract: Cycle characteristics of a nonaqueous secondary battery are to be improved. An active material including: a first active material that contains a nano silicon produced by heating a layered polysilane represented by a composition formula (SiH)n and having a structure in which multiple six-membered rings formed from silicon atoms are connected; and a second active material that contains a graphite, is used in a negative electrode. With this, expansion and contraction due to stress during charging and discharging can be mitigated, and thereby cycle characteristics improve.

Abstract: A negative-electrode active material is used for a negative electrode, the negative-electrode active material including: agglomerated particles including nanometer-size silicon produced by heat treating a lamellar polysilane having a structure in which multiple six-membered rings constituted of a silicon atom are disposed one after another, and expressed by a compositional formula, (SiH)n; and a carbon layer including amorphous carbon, and covering at least some of the agglomerated particles to be composited therewith. An electric storage apparatus including the same is not only able to reduce the irreversible capacity, but also able to inhibit the generation of “SEI.

Abstract: A production process for carbon-coated silicon material includes the steps of: a lamellar-silicon-compound production step of reacting CaSi2 with an acid to turn the CaSi2 into a lamellar silicon compound; a silicon-material production step of heating the lamellar silicon compound at 300° C. or more to turn the lamellar silicon compound into a silicon material; a coating step of coating the silicon material with carbon; and a washing step of washing the silicon material, or another silicon material undergone the coating step, with a solvent of which the relative permittivity is 5 or more.

Abstract: Cycle characteristics of a nonaqueous secondary battery are to be improved. An active material including: a first active material that contains a nano silicon produced by heating a layered polysilane represented by a composition formula (SiH)n and having a structure in which multiple six-membered rings formed from silicon atoms are connected; and a second active material that contains a graphite, is used in a negative electrode. With this, expansion and contraction due to stress during charging and discharging can be mitigated, and thereby cycle characteristics improve.

Abstract: A negative-electrode active material is used for a negative electrode, the negative-electrode active material including: agglomerated particles including nanometer-size silicon produced by heat treating a lamellar polysilane having a structure in which multiple six-membered rings constituted of a silicon atom are disposed one after another, and expressed by a compositional formula, (SiH)n; and a carbon layer including amorphous carbon, and covering at least some of the agglomerated particles to be composited therewith. An electric storage apparatus including the same is not only able to reduce the irreversible capacity, but also able to inhibit the generation of “SEI.

Abstract: A pulverization/classification apparatus including a cylindrical vessel having an inner wall, on a surface of which a layer including a release agent is located; a pulverizer configured to pulverize a material such as toner raw materials in the cylindrical vessel using a compressed air to prepare a particulate material; and a classifier configured to classify the particulate toner material to prepare a powder of the material. Alternatively, the inner wall of the cylindrical vessel has a circumferentially projected portion. A method for manufacturing a powder such as toners using the pulverization/classification apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A pulverization/classification apparatus including a cylindrical vessel having an inner wall, on a surface of which a layer including a release agent is located; a pulverizer configured to pulverize a material such as toner raw materials in the cylindrical vessel using a compressed air to prepare a particulate material; and a classifier configured to classify the particulate toner material to prepare a powder of the material. Alternatively, the inner wall of the cylindrical vessel has a circumferentially projected portion. A method for manufacturing a powder such as toners using the pulverization/classification apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A mixture including at least a binder resin and a colorant and a kneader configured to knead such a mixture. The mixture may include air bubbles having a density from 104 to 108 pieces/cm3 and constituting from 65 to 95% of said mixture by volume. The kneader may be configured to knead the mixture under pressure upon application of heat to the mixture to prepare a kneaded mixture.

Abstract: A fluidized bed pulverizing and classifying apparatus is disclosed having a vessel that includes a pulverizing section having a pulverizing nozzle spraying compressed air to pulverize a powder, a classifying section located over the pulverizing section, including a classifying rotor classifying the powder, and a fluidized bed. The vessel also contains a supply of secondary air.

Abstract: A fluidized bed pulverizing and classifying apparatus is disclosed having a vessel that includes a pulverizing section having a pulverizing nozzle spraying compressed air to pulverize a powder, a classifying section located over the pulverizing section, including a classifying rotor classifying the powder, and a fluidized bed. The vessel also contains a supply of secondary air.

Abstract: A fluidized bed pulverizing and classifying apparatus is disclosed having a vessel that includes a pulverizing section having a pulverizing nozzle spraying compressed air to pulverize a powder, a classifying section located over the pulverizing section, including a classifying rotor classifying the powder, and a fluidized bed. The vessel also contains a supply of secondary air.

Abstract: A method of producing a toner including at least a binder resin and a colorant. The method includes kneading a mixture including the binder resin and the colorant under pressure while injecting a supercritical fluid into the mixture upon application of heat to uniformly disperse the supercritical fluid in the mixture; depressurizing the mixture such that the mixture foams; cooling the mixture to prepare a kneaded mixture including air bubbles; and pulverizing the kneaded mixture.

Abstract: A fluidized bed pulverizing and classifying apparatus is disclosed having a vessel that includes a pulverizing section having a pulverizing nozzle spraying compressed air to pulverize a powder, a classifying section located over the pulverizing section, including a classifying rotor classifying the powder, and a fluidized bed. The vessel also contains a supply of secondary air.

Abstract: A pulverization/classification apparatus including a cylindrical vessel having an inner wall, on a surface of which a layer including a release agent is located; a pulverizer configured to pulverize a material such as toner raw materials in the cylindrical vessel using a compressed air to prepare a particulate material; and a classifier configured to classify the particulate toner material to prepare a powder of the material. Alternatively, the inner wall of the cylindrical vessel has a circumferentially projected portion. A method for manufacturing a powder such as toners using the pulverization/classification apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A longitudinal profile measuring apparatus including a relative distance meter located on a frame supported by more than two wheels in a row in a direction of a measuring line for measuring relative distance to a target surface, a moving distance meter for measuring moving distance of movement along the measuring line on the target surface, and a data processing unit for finding spatial data, which shows a rough profile of the target surface, along the measuring line from the relative distance measured by the relative distance meter.

Abstract: A longitudinal profile measuring apparatus including a relative distance meter located on a frame supported by more than two wheels in a row in a direction of a measuring line for measuring relative distance to a target surface, a moving distance meter for measuring moving distance of movement along the measuring line on the target surface, and a data processing unit for finding spatial data, which shows a rough profile of the target surface, along the measuring line from the relative distance measured by the relative distance meter.

Abstract: A slotted waveguide antenna assembly includes a slotted waveguide, a dielectric beam shaper and reflectors which are fixed and held by a holder member.The dielectric beam shaper is formed from a pair of dielectric plate members. The dielectric plate members are so arranged that they are slightly closer at the forward ends than the base ends, thus providing a nonparallel arrangement. The inclination of the dielectric plate members is selected within a range of 0.8.ltoreq.d/D<1 (D: a distance between the dielectric plate members at the base portions, d: a distance between the dielectric plate members at the forward portions).The dielectric plate members have a thickness which produces a phase difference, between electromagnetic waves reflected by inner surfaces of the respectivie dielectric plate members that are opposite each other.

Abstract: The present invention is applied to a slotted waveguide antenna assembly which comprises a slotted waveguide having a plurality of slots, a reflector having an aperture in front of the slotted waveguide and reflecting radiated electromagnetic wave for forming directive beam, and a mounting portion for mounting the antenna assembly onto a place where the antenna assembly is to be installed.In such an antenna assembly, a fixing member is provided on the reflector at a position spaced from the slotted waveguide. The fixing member extends between the opposite walls of the reflector and fixed thereto. The fixing member has an end which projects outwardly from the wall of the reflector to form the mounting portion. The fixing member is sufficiently thin as compared with the working wavelength.The slotted waveguide antenna assembly may have a dielectric wave-guiding arrangement.

Abstract: A back-reflection type light diffusing apparatus of this invention is suitable for use in liquid crystal display panels or the like, and is formed by a light guiding plate. The light guiding plate has one surface which forms a first surface through which light is radiated while its opposite surface forms a second surface on which a light reflecting plate is mounted. The light reflecting plate is provided with non-reflecting portions disposed in such a manner that the area thereof increases the closer it gets to the light source so as to radiate light from the light radiating surface uniformly over its entire area.