Abstract: A process for producing a gel fiber comprises a step (N) of spinning a solution containing at least one polymer having at least one monomer unit as a constituent component for a gel to solidify the solution into a fiber, and step (M) of effecting crosslinking of the fiber to form a gel which can be swelled or shrunk reversibly by a thermal action in the presence of a liquid.

Abstract: An optical device is provided which comprises a liquid layer containing a liquid-absorbable and releasable polymer that absorbs and releases a liquid under thermal action.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polishing apparatus utilizing a gel material as the polishing tool, in which the gel material is rotated in the vicinity of a surface to be polished, or is given rotating and rocking motions in direct contact with the surface to be polished.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polishing apparatus utilizing a gel material as the polishing tool, in which the gel material is rotated in the vicinity of a surface to be polished, or is given rotating and rocking motions in direct contact with the surface to be polished.

Abstract: A biocatalyst such as an enzyme or microbe is immobilized in a polymer gel having a phase transition temperature such that it is capable of reversibly swelling and shrinking by a change in temperature. By lowering the temperature, the polymer gel is caused to swell and a biocatalyst is absorbed therein and by raising the temperature, the polymer gel is caused to shrink and immobilize the biocatalyst. The biocatalyst may then be released by cooling the polymer to cause it to swell. Only a portion of the polymer gel may be subjected to temperature change to immobilize the biocatalyst only in a desired portion.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a gel layer exhibiting a light scattering property when heated and exhibiting transparency when cooled, and the gel layer is sandwiched between a transparent substrate and a transparent protective plate.

Abstract: An optical element comprised a pair of plates between which an optical modulation liquid layer is sandwiched, the optical modulation liquid layer exhibiting a light scattering property caused by suspension of fine particle polymer when not heated and exhibiting transparency caused by dissolution of fine particle polymer when heated, the change of such light scattering property to transparency being reversible.

Abstract: An optical modulating method is provided which comprises heating a heat-sensitive medium comprising a polymeric substance and a liquid with a heat-generating resistor adjacent to the medium, thereby modulating the light incident on the medium at the heated region. The liquid may be heated to the critical solution temperature or higher of the constituent polymeric substance.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided which comprises a substrate and a colored film formed by electrolytic polymerization on the substrate. The film may be formed on an electroconductive substrate, or it may be transferred onto a non-electroconductive substrates. A method for recording employing the electrolytically polymerized film is also provided.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a pair of plates between which an optical modulation liquid layer is sandwiched, the optical modulation liquid layer exhibiting a light scattering property caused by suspension of fine particle polymer when heated and exhibiting transparency caused by dissolution of fine particle polymer when not heated, the change of such light scattering property to transparency being reversible.

Abstract: A molded composite material comprising a plural number of constituents is provided in which at least two of the constituents are distributed with a relative existing ratio varying at least in one direction in the composite material. A process for producing the composite material is also provided.

Abstract: An optical device is provided which comprises a liquid layer containing a liquid-absorbable and releasable polymer that absorbs and releases a liquid under the action of an electric field and at least one pair of electrodes holding the liquid layer therebetween. The liquid may be colored, and alternatively the liquid-absorbable and releasable polymer may be colored.

Abstract: A display device is provided which comprises a medium includng a biochemical luminous reaction system and an electrode which controls electrochemically the concentration of at least one of reactants participating in said reaction system in a cell. The luminous reaction system may include an enzyme, and the electrode may be modified with a polymer.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided which comprises an optical recording layer provided on a support, said optical recording layer containing a compound modifiable under light irradiation and gelled polymer.

Abstract: An image recording material is provided which comprises an electroconductive base plate, a recording layer provided on at least one side of said plate and a photosensitive layer provided on said recording layer. The recording layer may constituted of a electrolytically polymerized film, and the photosensitive layer may constituted of a polymer complex formed from a basic polymer and an acidic polymer. A method for image recording is also provided.