Abstract: A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, in which the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet is provided in a form that it is wound into a roll and all periphery of the roll is covered with a protective sheet, and in which the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains, on a support, at least one receptor layer containing a latex polymer, and at least one heat-insulating layer containing hollow polymer particles.

Abstract: An optical density changing element comprising: an anode; and a cathode, wherein at least one of the anode and the cathode comprises a first compound that changes a spectral absorption spectrum of the first compound in a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm by providing an electron to or receiving an electron from the at least one of the anode and the cathode, and wherein at least one of the anode and the cathode comprises a second compound that does not change a spectral absorption spectrum of the second compound in a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm by providing an electron to or receiving an electron from the at least one of the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, containing, on a support, at least one receptor layer containing a matting agent, in which average particle diameter of the matting agent is in the range of from 50% to 200% of the thickness of the receptor layer, and the receptor layer contains a releasing agent; a producing method thereof; and an image-forming method using the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet.

Abstract: An azo dye of the following formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and R5 represent a substituent. The dye has an excellent optical characteristic with sharp absorption and excellent fastness.

Abstract: An electrochromic element wherein, in a colored state of the electrochromic element, a first average optical density in a first wavelength range of 450 to 470 nm, a second average optical density in a second wavelength range of 540 to 560 nm and a third average optical density in a third wavelength range of 630 to 650 nm have a fluctuation (difference of a maximum value and a minimum value of the first to third average optical densities) equal to or less than 0.5.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, containing; a support; at least one receptor layer containing at least two kinds of latex polymers, said latex polymers having different elastic moduli from each other; and at least one heat-insulation layer containing hollow latex polymer particles and a water-soluble polymer, said at least one heat-insulation layer being provided between the support and the at least one receptor layer.

Abstract: An azo dye represented by formula (1): wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R2 to R6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituents, and an ink sheet for heat-sensitive transfer recording, a heat-sensitive transfer recording method, a color toner, an inkjet ink, and a color filter, each utilizes the azo dye.

Abstract: An azo dye represented by formula (1): wherein, R11 represents a monovalent substituent, R12 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, Ar1 represents a specific heterocyclic group such as a group such as a group shown below, and X represents atoms necessary to form a ring; wherein, in the heterocyclic group, R61 to R63 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, containing; a support; at least one receptor layer containing a latex polymer, the latex polymer containing a repeating unit derived from vinyl chloride in a proportion of 50 mass % or above in the latex polymer; and at least one heat-insulation layer containing hollow latex polymer particles and a water-soluble polymer, the at least one heat-insulation layer being provided between the support and the at least one receptor layer.

Abstract: There is provided a picture-taking unit using an automatic transmitted-light control system which is wide in range of controllable light quantity, reduced in loss of transmitted light by the system itself and fast in response speed. The picture-taking unit is configured so as to have a light control device using an electrochromic material on the subject side or the imaging recording medium side of a taking lens thereof.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, having a support and a receptor layer containing at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester polymers and polycarbonate polymers, and further having between the support and the receptor layer an intermediate layer containing hollow polymer particles.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, containing, on a support, a receptor layer containing at least one of vinyl chloride polymers, and an intermediate layer containing hollow polymer particles between the support and the receptor layer.

Abstract: An image-forming method: by superposing a heat-sensitive transfer sheet on a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet so that a receptor layer can be contacted with a thermal transfer layer; and providing thermal energy in accordance with image signals; in which the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet comprises the receptor layer containing one of polyester and/or polycarbonate polymers, vinyl chloride polymers and/or a polymer latex; and in which the heat-sensitive transfer sheet comprises the thermal transfer layer containing a dye represented by formula (1) or (2): wherein, X141 represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or NR146; X142 represents a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, or NHR147; R141 to R154 each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; A151 represents a group of atoms necessary to form a hetero ring together with the two carbon atoms; and n153 represents an integer of 0 to 4.

Abstract: An ink sheet for heat-sensitive transfer recording material comprising an azo dye represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent a hydrogen atom or substituent; and Het represents a heterocyclic group which may have substituents or a condensed ring.

Abstract: A functional device comprising a semiconductor material, wherein the functional device contains a compound not substantially undergoing oxidation-reduction reaction but having at least one lone electron pair and in which adding the compound negatively changes a flat band potential of the semiconductor material with respect to a case not adding it.

Abstract: To provide an optical density-changing element which has excellent properties that it can be brought into a colored state by applying only a low voltage, that it shows a rapid response speed and becomes completely colorless when restored to a bleached state from the colored state, and which can undergo a change in optical density in response to an applied voltage, the optical density-changing element includes, on each of an anode and a cathode, a material capable of at least one of donating and accepting an electron and, as a result of at least one of donating and accepting the electron, undergoing a change in absorption spectrum in a visible region and a material undergoing substantially no change in absorption spectrum in the visible region, with potentials of these materials satisfying a specific relation defined in the specification.

Abstract: An optical element comprises: an electromotive force-generating element that generates an electromotive force in response to electromagnetic wave; and an optical density-changing element that changes its optical density according to the electromotive force, the optical density-changing element comprising: at least one of metal sulfide and metal nitride; and a material that causes a change of the optical density and adsorbs to said at least one of metal sulfide and metal nitride.

Abstract: A semiconductor comprises a compound (A) adsorbed on a surface of the semiconductor, the compound (A) having at least one lone electron pair and substantially not undergoing in oxidation-reduction reactions, wherein the presence of the compound (A) negatively changes a flat band potential of the semiconductor with reference to that when the compound is absent.

Abstract: A functional device comprising a semiconductor material, wherein the functional device contains a compound not substantially undergoing oxidation-reduction reaction but having at least one lone electron pair and in which adding the compound negatively changes a flat band potential of the semiconductor material with respect to a case not adding it.

Abstract: An optical device comprises; an electromotive force generating element that generates an electromotive force; and an electrochromic element to be driven by the electromotive force, wherein at the time when the optical device is turned on and an optical density of the electrochromic element becomes constant, a consumed electric current is not more than (power source voltage (V))/5 mA; and a potential between both poles of the electrochromic element 10 seconds after switching the optical device from an ON state to an OFF state is not more than 50% on the basis of a potential between the both poles of the . electrochromic element just before switching.