Abstract: There is disclosed a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film type device which has a flexural displacement and durability equal to or more than those of a prior art piezoelectric/electrostrictive film type device and which has a remarkably high resonance frequency and which is superior in high-speed response. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive film type device comprises: a substrate formed of ceramic; and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive operation portion including a lower electrode, piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer, and upper electrode which are successively stacked on the substrate and including a projecting end of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer with which an upper surface of the lower electrode and a lower surface of the upper electrode are coated, and a projecting portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer is a connecting material constituted of a hybrid material in which inorganic particles are scattered in a matrix of a polymer compound, and is connected to the substrate.

Abstract: A network management apparatus performing trouble-shooting in each device state and improving the operation efficiency and workability in maintenance management operations. A table storage unit stores a device status table, a restriction condition table, and a trouble shooting table. An analysis unit determines whether a status change request satisfies the restriction conditions in the current device state. If the restriction conditions are not satisfied but trouble can be avoided, all the trouble shooting data are extracted until the restriction problems are eliminated. If the restriction conditions are not satisfied and trouble cannot be avoided, the cause for not being able to avoid trouble is extracted. Thus, an analysis of normality of the status change request is conducted. A user interface unit sends the extracted trouble shooting data or the cause for not being able to avoid trouble. A device communication unit transmits a command corresponding to the status change request.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film device having larger resonant frequency while having flexural displacement that is equal to or superior to that of conventional piezoelectric/electrostrictive film device, and being excellent in rapid response. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive film device comprises a substrate comprising ceramics, and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator including a lower electrode, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer and an upper electrode that are sequentially layered on the substrate, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer covering an upper surface of the lower electrode and a lower surface of the upper electrode and protruding over edges thereof, wherein the protruded portion of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer is coupled to the substrate via a coupling member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive film-type actuator has a ceramic base and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, which has piezoelectric/electrostrictive films and electrode films and which is disposed on the ceramic base, and is driven in accordance with a dislocation of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is formed such that the piezoelectric/electrostrictive films and the electrode films are alternately laminated so as to construct the uppermost layer and the lowermost layer with the electrode films. Also, the piezoelectric/electrostrictive films have two layers and no pores, containing a different phase formed by a decomposed material thereof, in the boundary sandwiched therebetween. In addition, the upper layer of the two-layered piezoelectric/electrostrictive films is thicker than the lower layer.

Abstract: A micropipette is provided including at least one substrate, an inlet port through which a sample is delivered from the outside, a cavity to be poured and filled with the sample, an introduction hole, and an injection port for expelling the sample are formed on the at least one substrate. The substrate for forming the cavity is made of ceramics, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is provided for at least one wall surface of the substrate, and the sample moves as a laminar flow in the cavity. The volume of the cavity is changed by driving the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element to expell al certain amount of the sample in the cavity from the injection port. According to the micropipette, it is possible to form microspots with high accuracy and high speed. According to a dispenser including the micropipette, it is possible to efficiently dispense hundreds to ten thousands of different samples at one time and form microspots. Therefore, productivity is remarkably improved.

Abstract: A micropipette is provided including at least one substrate, an inlet port through which a sample is delivered from the outside, a cavity to be poured and filled with the sample, an introduction hole, and an injection port for expelling the sample are formed on the at least one substrate. The substrate for forming the cavity is made of ceramics, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is provided for at least one wall surface of the substrate, and the sample moves as a laminar flow in the cavity. The volume of the cavity is changed by driving the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element to expell a certain amount of the sample in the cavity from the injection port. According to the micropipette, it is possible to form microspots with high accuracy and high speed. According to a dispenser including the micropipette, it is possible to efficiently dispense hundreds to ten thousands of different samples at one time and form microspots. Therefore, productivity is remarkably improved.

Abstract: An optical switch disposed in intermediate positions of optical paths to define a channel of a light signal constitutes a cell member in whose interior cells are formed and a waveguide member having fine slits; and a gas is filled in cells of which side walls are formed by piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements or antiferroelectric elements, a liquid is filled in the fine slits, and the cells and the fine slits are communicated to each other via a communicating hole; optical waveguides intersect at the fine slits, and the-cells are disposed at the crossing locations, and said side walls are expanded/constricted by applying an electric field to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements or antiferroelectric elements which form the side walls of the cells, and a part of the gas stored in each cell is ejected at a corresponding intersection area from said communicating hole into the corresponding fine slit.

Abstract: A drive device which does not cause breakage of a pump chamber or a seal due to thermal expansion of operation fluid is provided.

Abstract: A liquid injection nozzle including a substantially planar substrate having first and second opposed surfaces. A communicating portion, which has an inner circumferential surface, extends through the substrate from the first surface to the second surface of the substrate. The inner circumferential surface is tapered from the first surface toward the second surface such that a lateral dimension of the inner circumferential surface is narrowest at a tip portion. A projected part extends from the second surface of the substrate and defines the tip portion which terminates the communicating portion.

Abstract: An exchange connects terminal equipment each having terminal identifier information. A layer 3 control unit of the exchange generates a pseudo layer 3 global reception call; and a layer 2 control unit of the exchange terminates the global reception call at the terminal equipment, extracts before link establishment the terminal identifier information of the terminal equipment from a logical link establishment request frame sent from the terminal equipment in response to the termination, and notifies the terminal identifier information to the layer 3 control unit. The layer 3 layer control unit holds the terminal identifier information notified for subsequent termination of calls to the terminal equipment. By this means, matched terminal identifier information is maintained between the exchange and subscriber terminal equipment.

Abstract: A ceramic element including a main actuator element 26 having an anti-ferroelectric film 22 and a pair of electrodes 24a, 24b formed on a first principal surface (front surface) of the anti-ferroelectric film 22, a vibrating section 18 for supporting the main actuator element 26, and a fixed section 20 for supporting the vibrating section 18 in a vibrating manner. The anti-ferroelectric film 22 after polarization has a region Zt in which its average dielectric constant is increased in an analog manner in accordance with a voltage V applied to the pair of electrodes 24a, 24b. Specifically, an expression of p/t≦2.5 is satisfied provided that an average film thickness of the anti-ferroelectric film 22 is t, and a pitch between the pair of electrodes 24a, 24b is p.

Abstract: A device for discharging raw material-fuel includes a pressurizing means for discharging a liquid, a pressure application room (1) in fluid communication with a discharge nozzle, and a liquid discharge nozzle (2) positioned under the pressure application room to discharge the liquid. The nozzle portion has an aspect ratio (L/d) of 5 or more, with L being the length of the nozzle in the thickness direction of the nozzle portion and d being the diameter of the nozzle portion.

Abstract: An optical switch disposed in intermediate positions of optical paths to define a channel of a light signal constitutes a cell member in whose interior cells are formed and a waveguide member having fine slits; and a gas is filled in cells of which side walls are formed by piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements or antiferroelectric elements, a liquid is filled in the fine slits, and the cells and the fine slits are communicated to each other via a communicating hole; optical waveguides intersect at the fine slits, and the cells are disposed at the crossing locations, and said side walls are expanded/constricted by applying an electric field to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements or antiferroelectric elements which form the side walls of the cells, and a part of the gas stored in each cell is ejected at a corresponding intersection area from said communicating hole into the corresponding fine slit.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator comprising a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements arranged in alignment like teeth of a comb on a base plate and being driven by means of dislocation of piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements. The cell driving type actuator is characterized in that each of cells is formed independently from its adjacent cells by closing respective planes facing the base plate and being positioned between two adjacent piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements with respective cover plates. Thus, there is provided a piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator; wherein a heating process at a high temperature can be applied, mass production at low cost is possible; the actuator includes cells with slit portions having a width of 60 &mgr;m or less and a high aspect ratio, the cells can be activated with high electric field strength, and great displacement can be obtained with small electric field strength.

Abstract: A ceramic element including a main actuator element 26 having an anti-ferroelectric film 22 and a pair of electrodes 24a, 24b formed on a first principal surface (front surface) of the anti-ferroelectric film 22, a vibrating section 18 for supporting the main actuator element 26, and a fixed section 20 for supporting the vibrating section 18 in a vibrating manner. The anti-ferroelectric film 22 after polarization has a region Zt in which its average dielectric constant is increased in an analog manner in accordance with a voltage V applied to the pair of electrodes 24a, 24b. Specifically, an expression of p/t≦2.5 is satisfied provided that an average film thickness of the anti-ferroelectric film 22 is t, and a pitch between the pair of electrodes 24a, 24b is p.

Abstract: An optical switch disposed in intermediate positions of optical paths to define a channel of a light signal constitutes a cell member in whose interior cells are formed and a waveguide member having fine slits; and a gas is filled in cells of which side walls are formed by piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements or antiferroelectric elements, a liquid is filled in the fine slits, and the cells and the fine slits are communicated to each other via a communicating hole; optical waveguides intersect at the fine slits, and the cells are disposed at the crossing locations, and said side walls are expanded/constricted by applying an electric field to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements or antiferroelectric elements which form the side walls of the cells, and a part of the gas stored in each cell is ejected at a corresponding intersection area from said communicating hole into the corresponding fine slit.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator in which a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements each consisting of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and at least one pair of electrodes are formed on a thick ceramic substrate, said actuator being activated by the displacement of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies, is provided. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements are joined to said ceramic substrate into respective unified bodies, and are two-dimensionally arranged independently of each other. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator ensures providing a greater displacement with a lower voltage, a high responsive speed, and a greater generating force, as well as enhancing the mounting ability and the integration as well as a method for manufacturing such a actuator can be provided.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuator wherein a plurality of piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements are arranged like teeth of a comb in alignment on a base plate, said actuator being driven by the displacement of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements. A cell formed by closed a plane facing said base plate and being positioned between two adjacent piezoelectric/electrostrictive elements with a cover plate is formed in such a manner that it is independent of its adjacent cells. Activation with a higher field strength is possible, and a greater displacement can be realized with a weaker field strength.

Abstract: A ceramic substrate 1 comprises a thin diaphragm portion 3 and a thick portion 2. A lower electrode 4 is formed on the ceramic substrate and is spaced apart from an auxiliary electrode 8, also formed on the ceramic substrate. A bonding layer 7C comprises an insulator and is formed on the ceramic substrate between the lower and auxiliary electrodes. A piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer 5 is formed on at least a portion of each of the lower electrode, the auxiliary electrode and the bonding layer. An upper electrode 6 extends over the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer and contacts the auxiliary electrode. A bonded portion exists wherein the bonding layer serves to completely bond together the substrate and the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film layer.

Abstract: A method used for establishing an optimized path between two endpoints in a transmission network including subnetworks is provided. In the method, two endpoints and route selection elements are specified, a first route search is performed to search for route candidates each of which connects subnetworks by using data on network resources according to the route selection elements, and the route candidates is stored in a dynamic routing table. Then, at least a route candidate is selected as a selected route candidate according to the route selection elements, and a second route search is performed to search for a route connecting network elements in each subnetwork on the selected route candidate.