Abstract: An infrared detection element includes a substrate, a lower electrode layer, a pyroelectric layer, and an upper electrode layer. The lower electrode layer is fixed to the substrate, and the pyroelectric layer is formed on the lower electrode layer. The upper electrode layer is formed on pyroelectric layer. The lower electrode layer contains pores therein and has a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the pyroelectric layer.

Abstract: A dielectric element includes a substrate, a first electrode layer on this substrate, a dielectric layer on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer on the dielectric layer. The first electrode layer contains lanthanum nickelate. The dielectric layer contains lead magnesate niobate-titanate represented by (1?x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3, where x satisfies 0.28?x?0.33. The (100) plane of lead magnesate niobate-titanate is preferentially oriented along the interface between the first electrode layer and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An infrared detection element includes a substrate, a lower electrode layer, a pyroelectric layer, and an upper electrode layer. The lower electrode layer is fixed to the substrate, and the pyroelectric layer is formed on the lower electrode layer. The upper electrode layer is formed on pyroelectric layer. The lower electrode layer contains pores therein and has a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the pyroelectric layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surface-coated cutting tool includes: forming an aluminum oxide layer having a layer thickness of 0.05 to 5 ?m and an ?-alumina structure with a corundum type crystal structure on a cutting tool body using a sol-gel method. The step of forming includes adding an alcohol to aluminum alkoxide; adding an acid; stirring the mixture at 10° C. or lower to form a sol; applying the sol on a surface of the cutting tool body or an outer-most surface of a hard-coating layer formed on the surface of the cutting tool body; performing a drying process at least once, the applied sol being dried at 100 to 400° C. in the drying process; and annealing the cutting tool body with a dried sol layer at 500 to 1000° C.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a substrate, a lower electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode layer. The lower electrode layer is fixed to the substrate and the piezoelectric layer is formed on the lower electrode layer. The upper electrode layer is formed on piezoelectric layer. The lower electrode layer contains pores therein and has a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a substrate, a lower electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode layer. The lower electrode layer is fixed to the substrate and the piezoelectric layer is formed on the lower electrode layer. The upper electrode layer is formed on piezoelectric layer. The lower electrode layer contains pores therein and has a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surface-coated cutting tool includes: forming an aluminum oxide layer having a layer thickness of 0.05 to 5 ?m and an ?-alumina structure with a corundum type crystal structure on a cutting tool body using a sol-gel method. The step of forming includes adding an alcohol to aluminum alkoxide; adding an acid; stirring the mixture at 10° C. or lower to form a sol; applying the sol on a surface of the cutting tool body or an outer-most surface of a hard-coating layer formed on the surface of the cutting tool body; performing a drying process at least once, the applied sol being dried at 100 to 400° C. in the drying process; and annealing the cutting tool body with a dried sol layer at 500 to 1000° C.