Abstract: Provided is a drug sustained-release agent including a carbon material (porous carbon material) which has an inverse opal structure. The drug sustained-release agent includes a porous carbon material which has spherical pores having an average diameter of 1×10?9 to 1×10?5 m and arrayed three-dimensionally and which has a surface area of 3×102 m2/g. Or, the drug sustained-release agent includes a porous carbon material in which pores are arrayed in an arrangement corresponding to a crystal structure on a macroscopic basis. Or, the drug sustained-release agent includes a porous carbon material in which pores are arrayed at a surface thereof in an arrangement corresponding to the (111) plane orientation of a face-centered cubic structure on a macroscopic basis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adsorbent including a porous carbon material which is produced from a plant-derived material having a silicon (Si) content of not less than 5 wt. % and which has a value of specific surface area determined by the nitrogen BET method of not less than 10 m2/g, a silicon content of not more than 1 wt. %, and pore volumes determined by the BJH method and the MP method of not less than 0.1 cm3/g. The adsorbent adsorbs indole, uric acid, adenosine, ?-amylase, 3-methylindole, tryptophan, indicant, theophylline, inosine 5-monophosphate disodium salt, adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium salt, a fatty acid, a coloring matter, hydrophobic molecules, or an organic matter (for example, organic molecules or a protein) having a number average molecular weight of not less than 1×102 and less than 5×102.

Abstract: Provided is a porous carbon material composite formed of a porous carbon material and a functional material and equipped with high functionality. A porous carbon material composite is formed of (A) a porous carbon material obtainable from a plant-derived material having a silicon (Si) content of 5 wt % or higher as a raw material, said porous carbon material having a silicon (Si) content of 1 wt % or lower, and (B) a functional material adhered on the porous carbon material, and has a specific surface area of 10 m2/g or greater as determined by the nitrogen BET method and a pore volume of 0.1 cm3/g or greater as determined by the BJH method and MP method.

Abstract: A light emitting element, includes: a luminescent material which is obtained from a plant-derived material as a raw material, and which contains therein a silicon oxide containing therein silicon having a content rate of 40 wt. % or more, and oxygen having a content rate of 40 wt. % or more as a principal component; a fluorescent substance adsorbed on a surface of the luminescent material; and an energy source for exciting the luminescent material and the fluorescent substance.

Abstract: A compact optical system for a particle analyzer and particle analyzer using same are provided. The optical system for a particle analyzer of the present invention comprises a light source, an irradiation optical system for irradiating particles passing through a flow cell with light from the light source, a photodetector for receiving the scattered light from the particles, a light shielding member for blocking the direct light from the light source from impinging the photodetector, and a detecting lens for directing the scattered light toward the photodetector, wherein the irradiation optical system forms a first focus that focuses the light from the light source on the particle passing through the flow cell, and forms a second focus that focuses the light from the light source at a position between the detecting lens and photodetector, and disposes the light shielding member at the position of the second focus.

Abstract: A compact optical system for a particle analyzer and particle analyzer using same are provided. The optical system for a particle analyzer of the present invention comprises a light source, an irradiation optical system for irradiating particles passing through a flow cell with light from the light source, a photodetector for receiving the scattered light from the particles, a light shielding member for blocking the direct light from the light source from impinging the photodetector, and a detecting lens for directing the scattered light toward the photodetector, wherein the irradiation optical system forms a first focus that focuses the light from the light source on the particle passing through the flow cell, and forms a second focus that focuses the light from the light source at a position between the detecting lens and photodetector, and disposes the light shielding member at the position of the second focus.

Abstract: By a process for producing a porous carbon material from a plant-derived material as a raw material, said process including carbonizing the plant-derived material at 800° C. to 1,400° C. and then applying a treatment with an acid or alkali, a porous carbon material having a value of specific surface area of at least 10 m2/g as measured by the nitrogen BET method, a silicon content of at most 1 wt % and a pore volume of at least 0.1 cm3/g is obtainable from a plant-derived material, which has a silicon content of at least 10 wt %, as a raw material. Also provided is a process for producing a porous carbon material equipped with excellent functionality so that the porous carbon material can be used, for example, as an anode material for batteries, an adsorbent, masks, adsorbing sheets, or carriers.

Abstract: A resin composition that has high mechanical strength properties, has superior chemical characteristics such as chemical resistance and heat resistance, has high degree of freedom of product design, and has a structure considering the impact on environment is provided at low cost. The resin composition composed of a polyamide resin contains a cotton fiber as a natural fiber. The additive amount of the cotton fiber is preferably 1 wt % to 25 wt % both inclusive. The polyamide resin is polyamide 11 using castor oil as a raw material of plant origin. The average fiber diameter of the cotton fiber is 100 ?m or less. The polyamide resin and the cotton fiber are melted and kneaded, and then hot-formed, and thereby a shaped article containing a plant fiber can be fabricated. In addition to the cotton fiber, a plant fiber such as a hemp fiber, a bamboo fiber, and wood powder and a biofiber such as a silk fiber may be applied.

Abstract: A sample analyzer for analyzing a biological sample is disclosed that comprising: a measurement specimen preparation section for preparing a measurement specimen by using a reagent and the biological sample; a irradiator for irradiating the measurement specimen with a light; a first light receiving section for receiving a light from the measurement specimen and converting the received light into an electrical signal; a analysis section for analyzing the measurement specimen based on the electrical signal output by the first light receiving section; and a selection section for selecting an intensity of light to be irradiated by the irradiator, wherein the irradiator is configured to irradiate with a light of an intensity corresponding to the light intensity selected by the selection section.

Abstract: A compact optical system for a particle analyzer and particle analyzer using same are provided. The optical system for a particle analyzer of the present invention comprises a light source, an irradiation optical system for irradiating particles passing through a flow cell with light from the light source, a photodetector for receiving the scattered light from the particles, a light shielding member for blocking the direct light from the light source from impinging the photodetector, and a detecting lens for directing the scattered light toward the photodetector, wherein the irradiation optical system forms a first focus that focuses the light from the light source on the particle passing through the flow cell, and forms a second focus that focuses the light from the light source at a position between the detecting lens and photodetector, and disposes the light shielding member at the position of the second focus.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser diode optically coupled to an optical fiber is mounted on a stem. A cap having a light transmissive hole between the optical fiber and the semiconductor laser diode is fixed to the stem. A ball lens is fixed in the light transmissive hole. The ball lens has a refractive index of 1.9 or more and a diameter between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

Abstract: An optical transmitter and receiver module which can enhance a coupling comprises a light source emitting the first light, a light-receiving section receiving the second light, a diffraction device changing the direction of travel of at least one of the first light and the second light, a first lens which condenses the first light, outgoing from the light source and entering through the medium of the diffraction device, onto a light input/output face of the optical fiber and condenses the second light outgoing from the optical fiber onto the light-receiving section through the medium of the diffraction device, and a second lens which inhibits a beam of the first light outgoing from the light source from diverging and allows it to enter the first lens through the medium of the diffraction device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical switch includes forming a starting groove in a first surface of polymer film that includes an internal optical waveguide linearly estending within the polymer film, the starting groove corresponding to a switching portion of the polymer film, and clamping the polymer film with a keep plate having a switching through hole. The polymer film is pressed at a second surface at a starting groove with a pressing member causing cleavage of the polymer film at the starting groove, and forming a notch in said polymer film at the first surface, extending across the switching portion at the starting groove.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a film consisting of a polymer, a keep plate having a switching through hole and a driver. The film has a core linearly extending therein and a notch extending across a switching portion located halfway in the core. The keep plate holds the film to expose the switching portion at the through hole. The driver is employed for narrowing and separating a gap of the notch, thereby selecting a route of light. The notch is formed by precedently forming a starting groove on the surface of the film and pressing the switching portion with a pressing member from the backside of the starting groove while holding the film with the keep plate thereby causing cleavage.

Abstract: To provide an optical transmitter and receiver module which can enhance a coupling efficiency between a laser diode and an optical fiber, and can enhance a photo-electrical conversion efficiency of light outgoing from an optical fiber in a photodiode, an optical transmitter and receiver module which is connected to an optical fiber and transmits a first light and receives a second light via the optical fiber, and this module comprises a light source emitting the first light, a light-receiving section receiving the second light, a diffraction device changing the direction of travel of at least one of the first light and the second light, a first lens which condenses the first light, outgoing from the light source and entering through the medium of the diffraction device, onto a light input/output face of the optical fiber and condenses the second light outgoing from the optical fiber onto the light-receiving section through the medium of the diffraction device, and a second lens which inhibits a beam of the fi

Abstract: A visual image system is constructed as including: a three-dimensional visual image reproducer for transmitting a three-dimensional video signal; a parallax quantity detecting section for detecting a parallax quantity in the three-dimensional video signal from the three-dimensional visual image reproducer; a fatigue measure estimating section for estimating the degree of fatigue based on the detected parallax quantity and outputting an image switching signal correspondingly to a fatigue measure estimating quantity; a 3D/2D image switching section for providing an output by switching between three-dimensional and two-dimensional images based on the image switching signal; and an image display section for displaying a three-dimensional image or a two-dimensional image. The visual image system thereby fulfills the capability of suitably controlling the degree of three-dimensionality of stereoscopic images by inferring from the inputted video signal the degree of effects likely to be produced on the observer.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser diode optically coupled to an optical fiber, is mounted on a stem. A cap having a light transmissive hole between the optical fiber and the semiconductor laser diode is fixed to the stem. A ball lens is fixed in the light transmissive hole. The ball lens has a refractive index of 1.9 or more and a diameter between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a polymer sheet having an optical waveguide extending linearly therein, keep plates holding the polymer sheet therebetween, and driving means. The polymer sheet has a notch provided to traverse the optical waveguides, and the keep plates each have an opening at a position corresponding to the notch. The opening has an elongated shape along the extending direction of the notch at least on a surface of the keep plate in contact with the polymer sheet. The driving means is for selecting a course of light by switching open and closed states of the notch by pushing and not pushing the polymer sheet via the opening.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a film consisting of a polymer, a keep plate having a switching through hole and a driver. The film has a core linearly extending therein and a notch extending across a switching portion located halfway in the core. The keep plate holds the film to expose the switching portion at the through hole. The driver is employed for narrowing and separating a gap of the notch, thereby selecting a route of light. The notch is formed by precedently forming a starting groove on the surface of the film and pressing the switching portion with a pressing member from the backside of the starting groove while holding the film with the keep plate, thereby causing cleavage.

Abstract: An optical signal switching unit causing no instantaneous cutoff in switching without a latency time. The optical signal switching unit has input waveguides and output waveguides, optical switches for switching the course of each optical signal, located at intersections between the waveguides and outputting the optical signal to the output waveguides. This optical signal switching unit includes optical switches and a switch state control part controlling the states of the optical switches, thereby controlling formation of the output optical signal. The optical switches take binary states including a first route state providing the optical signal with a first course and a second course state providing the optical signal with a second course, and an intermediate state including part of both of the first and second course states.