Abstract: An electrode for use in a fuel cell comprises a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric and a fuel cell catalyst, such as a metal catalyst or a carbon alloy catalyst, supported on the surfaces of the carbon fibers constituting the flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric. The flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric is formed by carbonizing a nonwoven fabric obtained by electrospinning a composition containing: an electrospinnable macromolecular substance; an organic compound that is different from the macromolecular substance; and a transition metal. This structure allows the provision of an electrode, for use in a fuel cell, which uses a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric as a substrate and combines the functions of a gas-diffusion layer and an electrocatalyst layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antibacterial nanofiber which comprises a polymer having an electron-withdrawing group and/or an electron-withdrawing atomic group and has an average fiber diameter of not less than 1 nm and less than 1000 nm, wherein the ratio of the binding energy of the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. to the binding energy of the electron-withdrawing group and/or the electron-withdrawing atomic group contained in the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. is 0.13 or greater. The nanofiber has an antibacterial activity by itself, and therefore can exhibit an antibacterial activity without the need of adding any antibacterial agent.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible carbon fiber nonwoven fabric which has resistance to bending, is flexible, and exhibits excellent processability.

Abstract: The disclosed electrode for use in a fuel cell comprises a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric and a fuel-cell catalyst, such as a metal catalyst or a carbon-alloy catalyst, supported on the surfaces of the carbon fibers constituting the flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric. Said flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric is formed by carbonizing a nonwoven fabric obtained by electrospinning a composition containing: an electrospinnable macromolecular substance; an organic compound that is different from said macromolecular substance; and a transition metal. This structure allows the provision of an electrode, for use in a fuel cell, which uses a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric as a substrate and combines the functions of a gas-diffusion layer and an electrocatalyst layer.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible carbon fiber nonwoven fabric which has resistance to bending, is flexible, and exhibits excellent processability. Said flexible carbon fiber nonwoven fabric is obtained by carbonizing a nonwoven fabric obtained by electrospinning a composition containing: an electrospinnable polymer substance, such as polyacrylonitrile resins; an organic compound, which is different from said polymer substance, such as phenol resins; and a transition metal.

Abstract: An antimicrobial, dustproof fabric includes a textile material layer which is composed of microfibers with an average fiber diameter of from 1 to 100 ?m and contains an inorganic porous substance, and a nanofiber nonwoven fabric layer which is laminated on the textile material layer and has an average fiber diameter of at least 1 nm but less than 1,000 nm. Hygienic products such as masks obtained using the fabric efficiently block microbes such as viruses, and inactivate or destroy the captured microbes.

Abstract: A nanofiber structure having pores is used as a preservative material for a liquid material. A liquid material can be stored for a long period without causing deterioration and without the need of using any additive such as an anti-bacterial agent merely by contacting the liquid material with the preservative material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antibacterial nanofiber which comprises a polymer having an electron-withdrawing group and/or an electron-withdrawing atomic group and has an average fiber diameter of not less than 1 nm and less than 1000 nm, wherein the ratio of the binding energy of the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. to the binding energy of the electron-withdrawing group and/or the electron-withdrawing atomic group contained in the minimum unit of the polymer at 25° C. is 0.13 or greater. The nanofiber has an antibacterial activity by itself, and therefore can exhibit an antibacterial activity without the need of adding any antibacterial agent.

Abstract: A material is provided for immobilization of biologically active substances which are reactive with a carbodiimide group. The material contains a carbodiimide group-containing polymer supported on a carrier such as a plastic, an inorganic polymer, a metal, a natural polymer or a ceramic. The carbodiimide group-containing polymer has 2 to 100 carbodiimide groups per molecule and a molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000, and is prepared by carbodiimidization of an organic polyisocyanate in the presence of a catalyst. The polymer may be supported as a film on part or the whole area of the carrier. Biologically active substances that may be immobilized include enzymes, hormones, antibodies, antigens, heptenes, peptides, DNAs and RNAs.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising the steps of reacting a biologically active first substance immobilized on a carrier with a second substance capable of specifically binding the first substance, and detecting a non-bound part of the second substance or a bound part of the second substance indirectly bound to the carrier through binding between the first and second substances so that the first substance or the second substance in a sample is analyzed, wherein the carrier carries a compound having 2 to 100 carbodiimide groups, and the first substance is immobilized on the carrier through the carbodiimide groups so that the active substance such as protein and nucleic acid is bound to the carrier conveniently, efficiently, and tightly.