Abstract: An oil seal structure is provided for sealing between a first member including an end surface having an opening and a second member covering at least the opening with an elastic annular seal member interposed between the first member and the second member. The oil seal structure includes an annular recess that is provided in the end surface of the first member in a manner of surrounding the opening. The annular recess accommodates the seal member in the annular recess with a part of the seal member protruding from the end surface. At least a surface of the seal member is in contact with oil is covered with a covering of an oil-resistant material, and the seal member is accommodated in the annular recess.

Abstract: An insulation inspection device includes: a conveyance unit that conveys a laminated electrode in which a first separator, a first electrode plate, a second separator, and a second electrode plate are laminated; a pressure roll that presses the laminated electrode against the conveyance unit; a first terminal electrically connected to the first electrode plate; a second terminal electrically connected to the second electrode plate, further electrically connected to the conveyance unit when the first separator is disposed on the conveyance unit side, and further electrically connected to the pressure roll when the first separator is disposed on the pressure roll side; and an insulation inspection unit that applies a voltage to the laminated electrode to inspect insulation condition of the laminated electrode.

Abstract: An insulation inspection device includes: a conveyance unit that conveys a laminated electrode in which a first separator, a first electrode plate, a second separator, and a second electrode plate are laminated; a pressure roll that presses the laminated electrode against the conveyance unit; a first terminal electrically connected to the first electrode plate; a second terminal electrically connected to the second electrode plate, further electrically connected to the conveyance unit when the first separator is disposed on the conveyance unit side, and further electrically connected to the pressure roll when the first separator is disposed on the pressure roll side; and an insulation inspection unit that applies a voltage to the laminated electrode to inspect insulation condition of the laminated electrode.

Abstract: A cutting device includes: a cutting blade that advances toward and recedes from a continuous body of electrode plates or separators so as to cut the continuous body; and a cleaning member that advances and recedes together with the cutting blade and comes into contact with a cutting section of the continuous body and cleans the cutting section.

Abstract: A method for producing a battery, includes: stacking a separator having an adhesive layer and an electrode plate in such a manner that the electrode plate is in contact with the adhesive layer; forming a multilayer electrode body by bonding a part of the electrode plate to the adhesive layer such that the electrode plate has a bonded region bonded with the adhesive layer and a non-bonded region not bonded with the adhesive layer; putting the multilayer electrode body in a case; and injecting an electrolytic solution into the case.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a battery includes: accommodating a stacked electrode body, in which a separator that has an adhesive layer and an electrode plate are stacked and the electrode plate is bonded to the separator via the adhesive layer, in a case; injecting an electrolytic solution into the case; and reducing the adhesive strength between the electrode plate and the separator at the same time, or around the same time, as the injection of the electrolytic solution.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a technology for imparting favorable slidability to fluorine rubber. [Solving Means] A composition for a sealing member includes: 100 parts by weight of an uncrosslinked fluorine rubber component; and 0.5 to 50 (inclusive) parts by weight of a particulate resin. The particulate resin includes a compatible portion and a lubrication portion, the compatible portion having compatibility with the fluorine rubber component, the lubrication portion having lubricity with respect to the fluorine rubber component. During molding of the composition for a sealing member, crosslinking of the fluorine rubber component progresses and at least a part of the particulate resin moves to a surface due to an action of the lubrication portion. As a result, a surface layer portion including a compatible portion and a lubrication portion is formed on a surface of a molded sealing member.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a ring-shaped sealing member having both the sealing property and slidability. [Solving Means] A sealing member is formed in a ring shape and has a sliding surface. The sealing member includes: 100 parts by weight of fluorine rubber; and 0.5 to 50 (inclusive) parts by weight of a particulate resin. The particulate resin includes a compatible portion and a lubrication portion, the compatible portion having compatibility with the fluorine rubber, the lubrication portion having lubricity with respect to the fluorine rubber. A Shore A hardness measured using the sliding surface as a pressing surface is not less than 80. In this sealing member, since rubber elasticity is achieved by the fluorine rubber, a favorable sealing property can be realized. Further, it is possible to impart high slidability to the sealing member by the action of the lubrication portion of the particulate resin. Therefore, this sealing member has both the sealing property and slidability.

Abstract: A combination of surface plasmon field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and isotachophoresis (ITP) technologies for detecting biomolecules is disclosed. It uses ITP to preconcentrate the reactants and accelerate the reaction, and then delivers the reacted sample to an SPFS sensor for detection. A microfluidic device with a T-junction is provided, which has two reservoirs respectively containing a low-mobility trailing electrolyte buffer and a high-mobility leading electrolyte buffer, and a main fluid channel between the two reservoirs, where the SPFS sensor is located on a side channel joined to the main channel. A two-step technique is employed, including a step of sample loading and ITP extraction, and a step of delivery of concentrated sample to the detector chamber by pressure-driven flow. In another embodiment, the SPFS sensor is located on the main fluid channel between the two reservoirs. In a particular example, the technique is used in a DNAzyme assay.

Abstract: A biosensor using a decoupled microfluidic device, which has a capture chamber and a detection chamber separate from and in fluid communication with each other. The sensing method is based on particle aggregation via homogeneous reactions, by employing microparticles having antibodies on their surfaces which can form aggregates through antigen mediation. Either size-separation or magnetic based separation is used to separate aggregates from single microparticles; the aggregates are later dissociated and the resulting single microparticles are counted to measure the amount of the antigen. Another biosensor uses a decoupled microfluidic device with a capture chamber and a detection chamber, and a 3-D structure in the capture camber to increase immobilized antibody concentration. Immunoreaction efficiency is improved by increasing the number of antibody per reaction volume in the capture chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured including an information obtaining unit that extracts information on plural parts' attributes, locations, and adjoining relations with other parts; a unit that sorts parts by part type and detects a distinctive shape from 3D CAD model; a unit that represents adjoining relations between parts in an assembly graph; a unit that creates disassembling directions and a disassembling sequence based on the assembly graph and, by reversing them, derives an assembling sequence and assembling directions; a unit that computes an index indicating a quality of easiness of assembling a part by subtracting the sum of deficiency points per part from a reference score; a unit that creates virtual worker positions, postures, and viewpoints according to assembling sequence and evaluates workability; and a unit that computes an evaluation value per part by the index of easiness of assembling the part and a total evaluation value of assembly workability.

Abstract: An improved method and related apparatus for detecting bacteria viability and drug effects using metabolic monitoring. A fluorescent material which is quenched by oxygen is co-localized with the target bacteria, and fluorescence signal is detected at the co-localized places. In some embodiments, the fluorescent material is a fluorescent nanoparticle mixed with the target bacteria in the sample, and co-localization is enhanced using centrifugation, electrophoresis, microflow path modified with antibodies, magnetic force, etc. In some other embodiments, the fluorescent material is a fluorescent film or 3-D matrix immobilized in the bacterial culture chamber, and bacteria in the sample is gathered into localized regions of the bacteria culture chamber where the fluorescent film or 3-D matrix is present by ways of centrifugation, electrophoresis or microflow path. Plasmonic nanoparticles with a metal core and plasmonic film with a metal film may be used as the fluorescent nanoparticles and fluorescent film.

Abstract: A DNA ligand capable of structural changes upon binding to a target is used as a molecular switch with a SPFS (surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy) biosensor to realize one-step SPFS biosensing with rapid turnaround time. The SPFS biosensor has a thin metal film on a prism; when a light of a certain wavelength irradiates on the prism at a certain angle, a strong electrical field is generated at the surface of the metal film. The DNA is immobilized on the metal film surface with its free terminal modified with a fluorescent marker. Without the target, the DNA is folded and the fluorescent marker is located in the region of metal quenching near the metal surface. Upon binding to the target, the DNA is extended and the fluorescent marker is located in the region of enhanced electric field near the metal surface and emits a strong fluorescent signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for quickly detecting a defect of a portion welded by laser beam welding. Specifically disclosed is a welding step in which a welding device is used, the welding device welding an object to be welded with a pulsed laser. In the welding step, a first photodetector receives only infrared rays having a wavelength allowing detection of a keyhole formed in a molten pool from among infrared rays radiating from a welded portion during the welding of the object, and an analyzer determines quality of the welded portion on the basis of intensity of the infrared rays received by the first photodetector.

Abstract: An improved method and related apparatus for detecting bacteria viability and drug effects using metabolic monitoring. A fluorescent material which is quenched by oxygen is co-localized with the target bacteria, and fluorescence signal is detected at the co-localized places. In some embodiments, the fluorescent material is a fluorescent nanoparticle mixed with the target bacteria in the sample, and co-localization is enhanced using centrifugation, electrophoresis, microflow path modified with antibodies, magnetic force, etc. In some other embodiments, the fluorescent material is a fluorescent film or 3-D matrix immobilized in the bacterial culture chamber, and bacteria in the sample is gathered into localized regions of the bacteria culture chamber where the fluorescent film or 3-D matrix is present by ways of centrifugation, electrophoresis or microflow path. Plasmonic nanoparticles with a metal core and plasmonic film with a metal film may be used as the fluorescent nanoparticles and fluorescent film.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating assembly steps and an assembly sequence for sequentially assembling a product is provided with: a part detecting section for detecting designated characteristic shapes from the 3D CAD model, detecting a part present in a radial direction of each characteristic shape, and detecting a part present in an axial direction of the detected part; a section for generating a directed graph where a node denotes a part and a directed edge denotes a connection precedence relationship between parts; an assembly graph generating section for generating, an assembly graph where a node denotes a part and an edge denotes an adjacency relationship; a work order adding section for adding work contents and work orders to a list of the detected unconnected parts; and a generating section for generating the assembly sequence and an assembly direction by generating and reversely converting a disassemblable direction and a disassembly sequence.

Abstract: A microchip solution sending system may include a flow passage assembly that is at least provided with a fine flow passage that is provided with a detection region including a formed reaction field to which an antibody that reacts with a specific antigen is fixed; and a micro pump that is connected to the flow passage assembly and that is configured to send a specimen material solution that includes the specific antigen in a reciprocating manner. The specimen material solution that has been sent may pass through the detection region in a repetitive manner in the case in which the micro pump sends the specimen material solution in a reciprocating manner.

Abstract: A combination of surface plasmon field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and isotachophoresis (ITP) technologies for detecting biomolecules is disclosed. It uses ITP to preconcentrate the reactants and accelerate the reaction, and then delivers the reacted sample to an SPFS sensor for detection. A microfluidic device with a T-junction is provided, which has two reservoirs respectively containing a low-mobility trailing electrolyte buffer and a high-mobility leading electrolyte buffer, and a main fluid channel between the two reservoirs, where the SPFS sensor is located on a side channel joined to the main channel. A two-step technique is employed, including a step of sample loading and ITP extraction, and a step of delivery of concentrated sample to the detector chamber by pressure-driven flow. In another embodiment, the SPFS sensor is located on the main fluid channel between the two reservoirs. In a particular example, the technique is used in a DNAzyme assay.

Abstract: A combination of surface plasmon field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and isotachophoresis (ITP) technologies for detecting biomolecules is disclosed. It uses ITP to preconcentrate the reactants and accelerate the reaction, and then delivers the reacted sample to an SPFS sensor for detection. A microfluidic device with a T-junction is provided, which has two reservoirs respectively containing a low-mobility trailing electrolyte buffer and a high-mobility leading electrolyte buffer, and a main fluid channel between the two reservoirs, where the SPFS sensor is located on a side channel joined to the main channel. A two-step technique is employed, including a step of sample loading and ITP extraction, and a step of delivery of concentrated sample to the detector chamber by pressure-driven flow. In another embodiment, the SPFS sensor is located on the main fluid channel between the two reservoirs. In a particular example, the technique is used in a DNAzyme assay.

Abstract: A biosensor using a decoupled microfluidic device, which has a capture chamber and a detection chamber separate from and in fluid communication with each other. The sensing method is based on particle aggregation via homogeneous reactions, by employing microparticles having antibodies on their surfaces which can form aggregates through antigen mediation. Either size-separation or magnetic based separation is used to separate aggregates from single microparticles; the aggregates are later dissociated and the resulting single microparticles are counted to measure the amount of the antigen. Another biosensor uses a decoupled microfluidic device with a capture chamber and a detection chamber, and a 3-D structure in the capture camber to increase immobilized antibody concentration. Immunoreaction efficiency is improved by increasing the number of antibody per reaction volume in the capture chamber.