Abstract: This invention relates to a method of measuring the internal structure (packing structure or dispersion condition of particulate material) of a composite filled with particles having an irregular matrix by observations based on its optical anisotropy, in which the internal structure (packing structure or dispersion condition of particulate material) of the composite obtained by mixing particulate material as raw material with a liquid material is made visible by utilizing the photoelasticity based on local rearrangement of liquid material molecules or difference of refractive indices of the particulate material and liquid material, and the structure thereof are observed, and an evaluation device using this principle of measurement.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of measuring a rheological property of a composite filled with particles, and evaluation equipment, in which in situ measurement is performed of the rheological property of a composite filled with particles obtained by mixing a particulate material as raw material with a liquid material, in a condition with the original material structure maintained, without destroying the material by applying external force such as shearing force thereto, comprising a step of measuring the coagulation structure of the particulate material within the composite filled with particles as an anisotropy signal, and a step of employing the amount of this anisotropy as an index of the rheological property value of the composite.

Abstract: This invention provides a manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus, in which a nitridation reaction is caused to proceed in a vapor phase in the presence of a flame, wherein the desired aluminum nitride powder is manufactured by simultaneously controlling the following technical conditions: that are (1) forming of a highly dispersed and stable fluidized or aerosol state of a raw-material powder whose particle size is included within the range of 0.001 to 500 &mgr;m, (2) adjusting of the gas atmosphere in the flame, and utilizing of a direct nitridation method or a reduction nitridation method in which the high temperature of the flame is used as a driving force, and (3) controlling of the quantitative ratio of the raw material and the flame, or combining of heat treatment processes to be continued.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of measuring a rheological property of a composite filled with particles, and evaluation equipment, in which in situ measurement is performed of the rheological property of a composite filled with particles obtained by mixing a particulate material as raw material with a liquid material, in a condition with the original material structure maintained, without destroying the material by applying external force such as shearing force thereto, comprising a step of measuring the coagulation structure of the particulate material within the composite filled with particles as an anisotropy signal, and a step of employing the amount of this anisotropy as an index of the rheological property value of the composite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of measuring the internal structure (packing structure or dispersion condition of particulate material) of a composite filled with particles having an irregular matrix by observations based on its optical anisotropy, in which the internal structure (packing structure or dispersion condition of particulate material) of the composite obtained by mixing particulate material as raw material with a liquid material is made visible by utilizing the photoelasticity based on local rearrangement of liquid material molecules or difference of refractive indices of the particulate material and liquid material, and the structure thereof are observed, and an evaluation device using this principle of measurement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the manufacture of ceramic composite fibers, and the present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a composite fiber in which a second phase is dispersed within a matrix fiber, wherein the matrix consists of a substance selected from alumina, zirconia, mullite, YAG, silica, magnesia, nitrides, carbides, metals, alloys, and polymers; the second phase consists of a substance selected from zirconia, mullite, YAG, and other oxides, or from metals; and the composite fiber is produced by synthesizing a fiber from a precursor solution containing the substance of the matrix, and the starting solution which serves as the second phase, dispersed through the matrix solution, and then heating the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas sensor element having properties capable of detecting methane and carbon monoxide selectively with 1 sensor by improving gas selectivity of the semiconductor gas sensor. The present invention relates to a gas sensor element, which has a carbon monoxide sensor layer with an ability to function as a catalyst film that blocks carbon monoxide, which impedes detection of methane at the underlying methane sensor, and has a layer-built structure where the surface of a methane sensor is covered with the carbon monoxide gas sensor which can be obtained by a gas-phase method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas sensor element having physical, electrical and chemical properties capable of detecting methane and carbon monoxide selectively with 1 intergrated filtering, catalyzing sensor by improving gas selectivity of the semiconductor gas sensor. The present invention relates to a gas sensor element, which has a carbon monoxide sensor layer with an ability to function as a catalyst film that blocks carbon monoxide, which impedes detection of methane, and has a layer-built structure where the surface of a methane sensor is covered with the carbon monoxide gas sensor which can be obtained by a gas-phase method.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a ceramic composite fiber in which a second phase is dispersed within a matrix fiber, wherein the matrix consists of a substance selected from alumina, zirconia, mullite, YAG, silica, magnesia, nitrides, carbides, metals, alloys, and polymers; the second phase consists of a substance selected from zirconia, mullite, YAG, other oxides, and metals; and the composite fiber can be produced by synthesizing a fiber from a precursor solution containing the substance of the matrix, and the second phase starting solution dispersed through the solution, and then heating the fiber.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ceramic composite that has not only excellent dynamic characteristics, but also good electromagnetic characteristics, typified by dielectric characteristics, and the present invention relates to a ceramic composite, characterized in that an oxide having a perovskite structure which includes as raw materials lead and/or an alkaline earth metal is dispersed in a ceramic matrix, and in the above-mentioned ceramic composite, preferably the ceramic matrix is MgO, MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, or ZrO.sub.2, and also, preferably in the above-mentioned ceramic composite, the perovskite structure oxide particles are covered with MgO, MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, or ZrO.sub.2, and the ceramic matrix is Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: Photocatalyst particles consist essentially of a matrix consisting of the crystal phase of a semiconducting metal oxide as a photocatalyst and ferromagnetic metal particles dispersed in the matrix, having an average particle diameter of 15 nm at most and a specific surface area of 100 m.sup.2 /g at least, and permitting recovery by a magnetic force.

Abstract: Minute particles having the surface thereof coated with a dense layer of extremely fine particles of a metal oxide are produced by dispersing the fine particles having water adsorbed in advance on the surface thereof in a hydrophobic organic solvent having an alcohol and optionally an amine dissolved therein and adding to the resultant dispersion a hydrophobic organic solvent having a metal alkoxide dissolved therein, thereby inducing hydrolysis of the metal alkoxide on the surface of the fine particles and consequent deposition of a metal oxide on the surface of the fine particles.

Abstract: A method for coating the surface of inactive granules comprises dispersing inactive granules having water adsorbed in advance on the surface thereof in a solution having a higher fatty acid and a metal alkoxide dissolved in small amounts in a non-hydrophilic organic solvent thereby forming on the surface of the granules a dense layer of microfine metal oxide powder produced in consequence of hydrolysis of the metal alkoxide.