Abstract: A thermoelectric power generator is provided capable of generating electric power from solar heat, geothermal heat or exhaust heat of low or medium temperature. The thermoelectric power generator operates via a working mechanism where a slightly hydrated sulfide semiconductor layer, having one side in contact with a low Fermi level redox reaction and having the other side in contact with a high Fermi level reaction generated by reactive metal cathode, allows electron transfer from the redox reaction into the cathode. This is accomplished by a thermal excitation step between both energy bands followed by a charge separation step driven by the internal electric field. The difference between the Fermi levels of the energy bands results in a useful electromotive ability.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide a thermoelectric power generation body capable of generating power not only from solar heat and geothermal heat but also from a heat source of medium or low temperature which has been impossible to be utilized by the conventional art, with high thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A novel and improved method for polymerizing a vinyl monomer in a polymerization reactor is provided. The inner walls of the polymerization reactor and other surfaces coming into contact with the monomer are coated with an aqueous liquid containing at least one alkali metal or ammonium salt of an anionic dye of the sulfonic carboxylic acid form and having a pH value adjusted not to exceed 7 by aid of a pH adjusting agent, and the thus coated surfaces are dried with heat before the polymerization is conducted. The method serves to greatly reduce the deposition of polymer scale on those surfaces and, consequently, improve the productivity as well as the quality of polymer product.

Abstract: In the emulsion polymerization of a dienic monomer or a mixture containing a dienic monomer and at least one other copolymerizable monomer in an aqueous medium, the deposition of polymer scale on the inner walls of the polymerization reactor and other surfaces in contact with the monomer or monomeric mixture can be remarkably reduced or prevented by providing coating layers of an organopolysiloxane on those surfaces, prior to the polymerization, by applying the organopolysiloxane directly to the surfaces or by applying one or a mixture of hydrolyzable organosilanes to the surfaces, followed by hydrolysis-condensation of the silanes, to form the organopolysiloxane in situ.