Abstract: This invention is a sunlight-to-heat converting member containing chromium silicide having an element ratio of Cr to Si from 1:1.6 to 1:4.7. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting stack including a layer of the sunlight-to-heat converting member and a metal layer. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting device including a light collecting part, either or both of a container and a flow path where sunlight is collected by the light collecting part, and a heating medium housed in either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member or the sunlight-to-heat converting stack is formed on a surface of either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member, the sunlight-to-heat converting stack, and the sunlight-to-heat converting device of this invention can convert light to heat efficiently.

Abstract: A solar heat collection tube includes a center metal tube that allows a heat medium to flow therethrough, a glass tube that covers the outer circumference of the center metal tube to form an annular void between the glass tube and the center metal tube, and an absorber configured to absorb a difference in the thermal expansion between the center metal tube and the glass tube. The absorber has a connection cylinder and metal bellows. The metallic bellows are connected in series by the connection cylinder. The bellows are arranged to overlap in the radial direction with the connection cylinder located therebetween.

Abstract: This invention is a sunlight-to-heat converting member containing chromium silicide having an element ratio of Cr to Si from 1:1.6 to 1:4.7. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting stack including a layer of the sunlight-to-heat converting member and a metal layer. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting device including a light collecting part, either or both of a container and a flow path where sunlight is collected by the light collecting part, and a heating medium housed in either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member or the sunlight-to-heat converting stack is formed on a surface of either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member, the sunlight-to-heat converting stack, and the sunlight-to-heat converting device of this invention can convert light to heat efficiently.

Abstract: A solar-heat collection tube includes: a central metal tube through which a heat medium flows; a glass tube, which covers the outer periphery of the central metal tube such that an annular vacuum space is defined between the glass tube and the central metal tube; and a metal thermal-expansion-difference absorption portion, which absorbs the thermal expansion difference between the central metal tube and the glass tube. The glass tube includes an end portion having an end surface. The thermal-expansion-difference absorption portion is formed from metal, and includes a connecting end connected to the end portion of the glass tube. The connecting end is formed to be gradually reduced in thickness. The connecting end is connected to the glass tube in a state in which the connecting end enters the end portion of the glass tube through the end surface of the glass tube.

Abstract: A solar heat collection tube includes a center metal tube that allows a heat medium to flow therethrough, a glass tube that covers the outer circumference of the center metal tube to form an annular void between the glass tube and the center metal tube, and an absorber configured to absorb a difference in the thermal expansion between the center metal tube and the glass tube. The absorber has a connection cylinder and metal bellows. The metallic bellows are connected in series by the connection cylinder. The bellows are arranged to overlap in the radial direction with the connection cylinder located therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a heat conversion member capable of efficiently converting light to heat. This heat conversion member is characterized in that it includes a composite material of at least one type of semiconductor and at least one type of metal material.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a heat conversion member capable of efficiently converting light to heat. This heat conversion member includes at least one type of semiconductor, and is characterized in that the band gap of the semiconductor is 0.5-1.2 eV.

Abstract: An organic EL element that is an electroluminescence element has at least an organic layer held between a pair of electrodes. At least an electrode made of material having a higher volume resistivity, of the pair of electrodes, is formed in a flat form. The organic layer is provided with a plurality of non-light emitting portions. The non-light emitting portions are provided so that a larger number of non-light emitting portions exist per unit area at a position physically closer to the position of a terminal portion at which the electrode made of material having the higher volume resistivity is connected to an external connection terminal. As a result, the level of current passing per unit area is substantially uniform at each position on the element.

Abstract: An electroluminescence element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emission layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is formed of a material having a higher volume resistivity than that of the material of the second electrode. A connector portion electrically connects a feeder portion to the first electrode. The resistance value of the connector portion differs in correspondence with a position at which the connector portion connects the feeder portion to the first electrode. The brightness distribution of the electroluminescence element is thus adjusted to a desired state.

Abstract: Respective glass substrates 1 of a pair of such EL devices 3 are disposed in such a manner that EL element portions 2 formed on their respective front surfaces 1a are opposed to each other. Spacers 4 are disposed between the two glass substrates 1 so that the EL element portions 2 are separated from each other and do not interfere with each other. In this state, peripheral portions of the two glass substrates 1 are bonded to each other with a sealing material 5, whereby a hollow portion 6 formed between the two glass substrates 1 is sealed with the sealing material 5 and isolated from the outside. Then, the two glass substrates 1 that are integrated together are immersed in an etching liquid, that is, they are subjected to thinning processing.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel and an illumination unit. The illumination unit has a planar light emitting region formed by an EL element. The light emitting region is formed by a plurality of linear light emitting regions that extend in a direction perpendicular to the vertical scanning direction of liquid crystal. The linear light emitting regions are switched between a light emitting state and a non-light emitting state based on a command signal from a controller in a manner that the linear light emitting regions sequentially emit light in synchronization with vertical scanning of the liquid crystal. Each linear light emitting region is controlled to be in the non-light emitting state at least during a drive data rewriting period of a portion of the liquid crystal immediately above the linear light emitting region.

Abstract: A luminescence cell having a novel structure includes a transparent conductor having a surface on which first and second regions are defined. A first electroluminescence element, including a first organic layer containing an organic luminescence material and a first electrode laminated on the first organic layer, is arranged on the first region. A second electroluminescence element, including a second organic layer containing an organic luminescence material and a second electrode laminated on the second organic layer, is arranged on the second region. The first electrode is physically separated from the second electrode. The first layer is physically separated from the second layer. The first and second organic layers emit light when current flows between the first and second electrodes. The light emitted from the organic layer passes through the transparent conductor and exits the luminescence cell.

Abstract: An organic EL element that is an electroluminescence element has at least an organic layer held between a pair of electrodes. At least an electrode made of material having a higher volume resistivity, of the pair of electrodes, is formed in a flat form. The organic layer is provided with a plurality of non-light emitting portions. The non-light emitting portions are provided so that a larger number of non-light emitting portions exist per unit area at a position physically closer to the position of a terminal portion at which the electrode made of material having the higher volume resistivity is connected to an external connection terminal. As a result, the level of current passing per unit area is substantially uniform at each position on the element.

Abstract: A transparent substrate used for an area light emitting device. The transparent substrate comprises a light incidence surface and a light exit surface opposite to the light incidence surface. A plurality of recesses are formed on the light exit surface bulged towards the light incidence surface. Each recess has a shape approximately corresponding to a portion of an oval sphere. Each recess perimeter on the light exit surface is approximately circle. Each recess is separately formed from other recesses.

Abstract: An electroluminescence element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light emission layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is formed of a material having a higher volume resistivity than that of the material of the second electrode. A connector portion electrically connects a feeder portion to the first electrode. The resistance value of the connector portion differs in correspondence with a position at which the connector portion connects the feeder portion to the first electrode. The brightness distribution of the electroluminescence element is thus adjusted to a desired state.

Abstract: After entering a transparent substrate 9 of an organic EL device and passing through this substrate 9, an outside light L1 further passes through a transparent layer 10, a transparent electrode 12, and an organic light emitting layer 13 to be reflected by a reflective electrode 14. Herein, the reflective electrode 14 has irregularities and therefore the outside light L1 is diffused and reflected by this at various angles. These reflected lights are further diffused when passing through a boundary between the organic light emitting layer 13 and the transparent electrode 12 and through an irregularity surface 11 of the transparent layer 10, and outgo from the transparent substrate 9 toward a liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: An area lighting unit has an electroluminescent device, a light scattering portion on a side of a light exit surface of the electroluminescent device, and a light covering portion on a side of a light exit surface of the light scattering portion. The light converging portion includes first and second layered optical sheets, each having a planar light incidence portion through which light enters and a light exit portion through which the light exits. The light exit portion of each optical sheet forms parallel prismatic protrusions, each having a vertex angle of 90 degrees to 105 degrees. The optical sheets each are so arranged that the light incidence portion is oriented to the electroluminescent device and a direction in which the protrusions of the first optical sheet are arranged is perpendicular to a direction in which the protrusions of the second optical sheet are arranged.

Abstract: A light guiding plate guides light from a light source and irradiates the light onto a display portion. The light guiding plate has an exit plate facing the display portion, and a reflection-exit plane opposite to the exit plane. The reflection-exit plane has a first end intersecting an incidence plane and a second end intersecting an opposite end plane. An inclination angle, defined by the exit plane and a line that contains the first end and the second end, is greater than 0.20° and less than 0.75°. The reflection-exit plane includes a light admission portion that reflects light entering through or reflected on the incidence plane to the exit plane.

Abstract: A luminescent panel has a light emitting portion for emitting isotropic light and a non-light emitting portion. A brightness compensating member has an incident portion and a light exit portion. The incident portion includes at least one inclined surface that is inclined relative to the light exit portion. The inclined surface is arranged to correspond to the non-light emitting portion. The inclined surface is configured so that the brightness of a section of the brightness compensating member that corresponds to the light emitting portion is substantially equal to the brightness of a section of the brightness compensating member that corresponds to the non-light emitting portion. Therefore, a substantially uniform brightness is obtained from the light exit portion.

Abstract: Respective glass substrates 1 of a pair of such EL devices 3 are disposed in such a manner that EL element portions 2 formed on their respective front surfaces 1a are opposed to each other. Spacers 4 are disposed between the two glass substrates 1 so that the EL element portions 2 are separated from each other and do not interfere with each other. In this state, peripheral portions of the two glass substrates 1 are bonded to each other with a sealing material 5, whereby a hollow portion 6 formed between the two glass substrates 1 is sealed with the sealing material 5 and isolated from the outside. Then, the two glass substrates 1 that are integrated together are immersed in an etching liquid, that is, they are subjected to thinning processing.