Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor part including a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a first electrode provided on a back surface of the semiconductor part; and a second electrode provided on a front surface of the semiconductor part. The second electrode includes a barrier layer and a metal layer. The barrier layer contacts the first semiconductor layer and including vanadium or a vanadium compound as a major component. The metal layer is provided on the barrier layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor part including a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a first electrode provided on a back surface of the semiconductor part; and a second electrode provided on a front surface of the semiconductor part. The second electrode includes a barrier layer and a metal layer. The barrier layer contacts the first semiconductor layer and including vanadium or a vanadium compound as a major component. The metal layer is provided on the barrier layer.

Abstract: An alkaline primary cell which is improved in reduction of self-discharge and cell capacity under storage at a high temperature, has a prolonged life and makes use of nickel oxyhydroxide is provided inexpensively. ?-Form nickel oxyhydroxide is contained in a positive electrode mixture as an active material, which contains cobalt and zinc as a substitutional element for solid solution, and has a total amount X+Y of molar ratios of cobalt atom X and zinc atom Y such that 2?X+Y?16, with a mixing ratio satisfying the relationship of Y?3/2×X+1/2 and Y?2/3×X ?1/3, and where a diffraction peak obtained as a result of measurement of X-ray powder diffraction of nickel oxyhydroxide appears only in the vicinity of 18.5° within a range of 2?=10°-30°.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electric power generation part; the electric power generation part including an air electrode to which oxygen gas is supplied, a fuel electrode to which fuel gas is supplied, and a solid electrolyte layer having a proton conductivity and put between the air electrode and fuel electrode; a fuel storage part storing a liquid fuel; a liquid fuel vaporization film made of non-porous material and configured to vaporize the liquid fuel so as to supply fuel gas to the fuel electrode; and a gas fuel supply speed control plate provided between the liquid fuel vaporization film and the fuel electrode and configured to control a supply speed of the fuel gas to the fuel electrode. The gas fuel supply speed control plate includes a plurality of openings piercing between the liquid fuel vaporization film and the fuel electrode.

Abstract: An alkaline primary cell which is improved in reduction of self-discharge and cell capacity under storage at a high temperature, has a prolonged life and makes use of nickel oxyhydroxide is provided inexpensively. &bgr;-Form nickel oxyhydroxide is contained in a positive electrode mixture as an active material, which contains cobalt and zinc as a substitutional element for solid solution, and has a total amount X+Y of molar ratios of cobalt atom X and zinc atom Y such that 2≦X+Y≦16, with a mixing ratio satisfying the relationship of Y≦3/2×X+1/2 and Y≧2/3×X−1/3, and where a diffraction peak obtained as a result of measurement of X-ray powder diffraction of nickel oxyhydroxide appears only in the vicinity of 18.5° within a range of 2&thgr;=10°-30°.