Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries that achieves both high thermal stability and high charge/discharge capacity and has excellent cycle characteristics and an easy and safe production method thereof, and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the positive electrode active material. A method for producing a positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries includes a crystallization step of adding an alkaline aqueous solution to a mixed aqueous solution containing at least nickel and cobalt for crystallization to obtain a nickel-containing hydroxide represented by a general formula Ni1?a??b?COa?Mb?(OH)2, a mixing step of mixing the obtained nickel-containing hydroxide, a lithium compound, and a niobium compound to obtain a lithium mixture, and a firing step of firing the lithium mixture in an oxidative atmosphere at 700 to 840° C. to obtain a lithium-transition metal composite oxide.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material is provided that has a high capacity, a low irreversible capacity, an excellent initial charge/discharge efficiency, and excellent rate characteristics. This positive electrode active material comprises a hexagonal lithium nickel complex oxide having a layer structure and represented by the general formula LixNi1-y-zCoyMzO2 (0.98?x?1.04, 0.25?y?0.40, 0?z?0.07, and M is at least one element selected from Al, Ti, Mn, Ga, Mg, and Nb), wherein a lithium occupancy rate in a lithium main layer as obtained by Rietveld analysis from the x-ray diffraction pattern is at least 98.7%, and a crystallite diameter as calculated from the peak for the (003) plane in x-ray diffraction is 50 to 300 nm.

Abstract: Provided is an efficient method for determining the completion of discharging waste batteries, the method being capable of accurately identifying the discharging states of the charge remaining in the waste batteries and appropriately determining the completion of discharging without measuring the residual voltage of each of the waste batteries. The method for determining the completion of discharging waste batteries according to the present invention is characterized in that after immersing the waste batteries in a conductive liquid, the concentration of hydrogen gas produced from the liquid is measured, thereby determining the completion of discharging the charge remaining in the waste batteries.

Abstract: Provided is a battery pack processing apparatus and a processing method with which discharge can be performed in a short time when a battery pack is discharged by immersing the battery pack in a discharge liquid. A processing apparatus A is for discharging a battery pack P having single cells c and a case b by immersing the battery pack P in the discharge liquid. The processing apparatus A includes an aperture-forming machine 20 forming an aperture through which the discharge liquid can flow inside the case b by pressurizing the battery pack P. A state can thus be achieved which is the same as the state that results if the single cells c accommodated in the case b are individually immersed in the discharge liquid. A protection circuit f for preventing an over-discharge is prevented from suppressing a discharge current from the battery pack P, enabling the discharge in a short time.

Abstract: Provided is a battery pack processing apparatus and a processing method with which discharge can be performed in a short time when a battery pack is discharged by immersing the battery pack in a discharge liquid. A processing apparatus A is for discharging a battery pack P having single cells c and a case b by immersing the battery pack P in the discharge liquid. The processing apparatus A includes an aperture-forming machine 20 forming an aperture through which the discharge liquid can flow inside the case b by pressurizing the battery pack P. A state can thus be achieved which is the same as the state that results if the single cells c accommodated in the case b are individually immersed in the discharge liquid. A protection circuit f for preventing an over-discharge is prevented from suppressing a discharge current from the battery pack P, enabling the discharge in a short time.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a specific element for detecting presence or content concentration of a specific element contained in a measurement target, which includes a raw material, such as soil or ore, a product in the form of powder, granule or gravel, and an intermediate product, a by-product, a waste material and the like generated during a process for producing the product, the apparatus comprising fluorescent X-ray measuring means that radiates an X-ray to the measurement target and measures a fluorescent X-ray generated thereby to detect the presence of the content concentration of the specific element, and film feeding means that inserts a resin film between a measuring window of the fluorescent X-ray measuring means and the measurement target, and feeds a fresh resin film between the measuring window and the measurement target along with repetition of detection of the specific element, whereby the intensity of the fluorescent X-ray can be prevented from being attenuated by measuring with the measurin

Abstract: A method is provided for decomposing free cyanide ion and metallic cyano complex ions in a liquid, comprising the steps of bringing the liquid into contact with ozone gas in a counterflow relation in the condition that the pH of the liquid is at least 10 with the mass flow rate of the ozone in the ozone gas up to 20 mg per minute per liter of liquid, and then bringing the liquid into contact in a counterflow relation with ozone gas having an ozone concentration of at least 150 g/m3 in the condition that the pH of the liquid is 7.0 to 9.5.

Abstract: Disclosed are a flexible wiring board in which the thickness of at least one part of the insulating film support to be bent in actual use of the board is made thinner than that of the other parts of it and the surfaces of the conductive patterns containing the part to be bent are covered each with a silicone rubber coveray, and a method of preparing the board. The board has sufficient flexibility enough to be well bent at the determined part in actual use thereof with ensuring the reliability of connection at the bent part.