Abstract: This method for producing a positive electrode slurry comprises: a step wherein an aqueous solution, in which a smectite is dissolved, is mixed with a solvent containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), thereby preparing an aqueous smectite-NMP solution; a step wherein the aqueous smectite-NMP solution is subjected to thermal dehydration, thereby obtaining a smectite-containing solid content lump; and a step wherein the smectite-containing solid content lump, a positive electrode active material and the solvent containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) are mixed with each other, thereby preparing a slurry.

Abstract: A coating method has: a first step for mixing an active material, a binding agent, and a solvent, and obtaining a mixed slurry; a second step for adding an additive to the mixed slurry, stirring the mixed slurry and the additive, and obtaining a coating slurry and a third step for intermittently coating the coating slurry on a collector body, and forming a coated part and a non-coated part. In the second step, the addition amount of the additive is set in accordance with a preset coating speed of the coating slurry, or the weight of the coated part, and the additive includes castor oil, cellulose nanofibers, modified silicone, an amide, polyethylene oxide, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, polyamine, and/or polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery positive electrode with: a metallic foil; and a positive electrode mixture layer formed on a surface of the metallic foil and containing a binding agent, a conductive agent, and a positive electrode active material comprising a lithium-transition metal complex oxide, wherein the positive electrode has a diameter of the liquid-removed space of at most 6.5 mm as measured by a wettability evaluation test, wherein a positive electrode is placed inside a container, and a prescribed test solution is added to a prescribed liquid-surface level, and nitrogen is sprayed thereon from a prescribed pipe at a prescribed pressure. A measurement is taken of the diameter of a region from which the solution has been removed by the spraying, and a mean value of such diameters measured between 0.5 seconds and 1.5 seconds after the initiation of the spraying is used as the diameter of the liquid-removed space.

Abstract: A positive electrode slurry including a positive electrode material mixture and a dispersion medium for dispersing the positive electrode material mixture. The positive electrode material mixture contains a positive electrode active material, an electrically conductive agent, a binder, and an additive. The additive includes a compound intramolecularly having a polyether group and an acidic group.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrode assembly includes a step of ultrasonically welding an exposed portion where the surface of an electrode current collector is exposed and an electrode lead to each other. The ultrasonic welding is performed, while the exposed portion of the electrode current collector and the electrode lead are stacked on each other, with an ultrasonic horn pressed against a resin sheet disposed on the exposed portion or the electrode lead. The resin sheet includes a sheet base material and an adhesive layer formed on one surface of the base material and is bonded to a portion of the exposed portion that is to be in contact with the ultrasonic horn or to a portion of the electrode lead that is to be in contact with the ultrasonic horn.

Abstract: An optical circuit board which is mounted with a loop-back circuit for returning aligning light to the fiber array in the vicinity of the fiber array connection end. Since an aligning loop-back circuit can be formed in an optical waveguide pattern, a production cost does not increase in comparison to an optical circuit board of the related art. The aligning light combined from the optical fiber to the aligning port of the optical circuit board is returned to the optical fiber around the loop-back circuit. Therefore, it is possible to perform alignment using the returned light. That is, alignment can be performed while being mounted on a package without installing a light-reflecting film or mirror.

Abstract: This electrode plate for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a band-like core and a first active substance layer formed on at least a first surface of the core. A current-collecting lead is connected to an exposed section at which a portion of the first surface of the core is exposed in the longitudinal direction. The electrode plate for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a second active substance layer which is more electroconductive than the first active substance layer and which is disposed on a portion of the first surface such that it adjoins with the exposed section.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery positive electrode with: a metallic foil; and a positive electrode mixture layer formed on a surface of the metallic foil and containing a binding agent, a conductive agent, and a positive electrode active material comprising a lithium-transition metal complex oxide, wherein the positive electrode has a diameter of the liquid-removed space of at most 6.5 mm as measured by a wettability evaluation test, wherein a positive electrode is placed inside a container, and a prescribed test solution is added to a prescribed liquid-surface level, and nitrogen is sprayed thereon from a prescribed pipe at a prescribed pressure. A measurement is taken of the diameter of a region from which the solution has been removed by the spraying, and a mean value of such diameters measured between 0.5 seconds and 1.5 seconds after the initiation of the spraying is used as the diameter of the liquid-removed space.

Abstract: An optical module that is connectable to an optical fiber array and that can be packaged in a high density. Two package modules are mounted on a board, and optical waveguides in a Si photonic lightwave circuit mounted on the package module are connected to an optical fiber array fixed to an optical fiber block. Moreover, output end surfaces of the optical waveguides in the Si photonic lightwave circuit are perpendicular to a mount surface of the package module. The optical waveguides in the Si photonic lightwave circuit may be tilted at an appropriate angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to a right end surface. Moreover, the optical fiber block fixes optical fibers with the optical fibers tilted with respect to a direction perpendicular to an end surface connected to the Si photonic lightwave circuit.

Abstract: An optical circuit board which is mounted with a loop-back circuit for returning aligning light to the fiber array in the vicinity of the fiber array connection end. Since an aligning loop-back circuit can be formed in an optical waveguide pattern, a production cost does not increase in comparison to an optical circuit board of the related art. The aligning light combined from the optical fiber to the aligning port of the optical circuit board is returned to the optical fiber around the loop-back circuit. Therefore, it is possible to perform alignment using the returned light. That is, alignment can be performed while being mounted on a package without installing a light-reflecting film or mirror.

Abstract: An optical module which is connectable to an optical fiber array and which can be packaged in a high density. Two 30 mm square package modules are mounted on a board, and optical waveguides in a 20 mm square Si photonic lightwave circuit mounted on the package module are connected to an optical fiber array fixed to an optical fiber block (15×10 mm). Moreover, output end surfaces of the optical waveguides in the Si photonic lightwave circuit are perpendicular to a mount surface of the package module. In the embodiment, the optical waveguides in the Si photonic lightwave circuit are tilted at an appropriate angle, for example, 20 degrees with respect to a direction perpendicular to a right end surface. Moreover, the optical fiber block fixes optical fibers with the optical fibers tilted at 20 degrees with respect to a direction perpendicular to an end surface connected to the Si photonic lightwave circuit.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrode assembly includes a step of ultrasonically welding an exposed portion where the surface of an electrode current collector is exposed and an electrode lead to each other. The ultrasonic welding is performed, while the exposed portion of the electrode current collector and the electrode lead are stacked on each other, with an ultrasonic horn pressed against a resin sheet disposed on the exposed portion or the electrode lead. The resin sheet includes a sheet base material and an adhesive layer formed on one surface of the base material and is bonded to a portion of the exposed portion that is to be in contact with the ultrasonic horn or to a portion of the electrode lead that is to be in contact with the ultrasonic horn.

Abstract: A flexible substrate having a branch structure in the related art has problems in that: adhesive strength after two bodies are folded and fixed at a bonding region decreases due to an unfolding and opening force at a curve portion and ends of the bonded portions are peeled off and generate gaps; and in a soldering process of the two bodies, the electrodes of one body soldered first are displaced due to reheating in soldering the other body secondly and deteriorate in soldered connection. The present invention provides a new flexible substrate having a branch structure, including first and second bodies joined together, and having a structure in which one of the bodies can be folded back in a longitudinal direction of the whole flexible substrate. Tip ends of the two bodies are provided with multiple electrodes, and are connected by soldering to approximately corresponding positions on both surfaces of an end portion of a printed substrate concerned.

Abstract: A flexible substrate having a branch structure in the related art has problems in that: adhesive strength after two bodies are folded and fixed at a bonding region decreases due to an unfolding and opening force at a curve portion and ends of the bonded portions are peeled off and generate gaps; and in a soldering process of the two bodies, the electrodes of one body soldered first are displaced due to reheating in soldering the other body secondly and deteriorate in soldered connection. The present invention provides a new flexible substrate having a branch structure, including first and second bodies joined together, and having a structure in which one of the bodies can be folded back in a longitudinal direction of the whole flexible substrate. Tip ends of the two bodies are provided with multiple electrodes, and are connected by soldering to approximately corresponding positions on both surfaces of an end portion of a printed substrate concerned.

Abstract: The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode contains a positive electrode active material composed of a lithium-containing transition metal oxide having a layered crystal structure. The negative electrode contains a negative electrode active material composed of a Ti-based oxide and an additive composed of fluorinated carbon that reacts with lithium at a more noble potential as compared to the negative electrode active material. In the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention, the battery voltage reaches a discharge cut-off voltage by a potential change in the negative electrode.

Abstract: A laminated battery provided with an electricity-producing element and an outer case. The electricity-producing element contains a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte. The outer case comprises two sheets of laminating film and includes the following: a containing section that contains the electricity-producing element; and a sealing section that is formed around the edge of the containing section by bonding the sheets of laminating film to each other. Corners are formed along the boundary between the containing section and the sealing section, and an adhesive resin layer in the sealing section is thicker in corner regions near the aforementioned corners than in other regions.

Abstract: Even in the case of an optical module including a multi-chip integrated device, an optical module having a smaller size in consideration of the connection to optical fibers. An optical module having a package containing a multi-chip integrated device integrated with an optical functional element having both ends connected to planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) is provided. Each of the PLCs includes a folded waveguide for connecting a light waveguide formed in the optical functional element to optical fibers. The optical module comprises a connecting part connected to each of the PLCs for connecting the optical functional element to the optical fibers in the same face. The optical fibers are taken out from opposed surfaces of the package.

Abstract: A negative electrode-regulated non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a negative electrode having a negative electrode active material layer, a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material layer, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte and stops charging as a result of the voltage drop of the negative electrode. In the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, the size of the negative electrode active material layer is larger than the size of the positive electrode active material layer. The positive electrode active material layer contains a lithium-nickel composite oxide (A) represented by the general formula LiNixM1-xO2 (where 0.7?x<1 and M is one or more metals) and a lithium-nickel composite oxide (B) represented by the general formula LiNixCoyM1-x-yO2 (where 0<x?0.5, 0<y<1, and M is one or more metals except Co).

Abstract: Even in the case of an optical module including a multi-chip integrated device, an optical module having a smaller size in consideration of the connection to optical fibers. An optical module having a package containing a multi-chip integrated device integrated with an optical functional element having both ends connected to planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) is provided. Each of the PLCs includes a folded waveguide for connecting a light waveguide formed in the optical functional element to optical fibers. The optical module comprises a connecting part connected to each of the PLCs for connecting the optical functional element to the optical fibers in the same face. The optical fibers are taken out from opposed surfaces of the package.

Abstract: A laminated battery provided with an electricity-producing element and an outer case. The electricity-producing element contains a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte. The outer case comprises two sheets of laminating film and includes the following: a containing section that contains the electricity-producing element; and a sealing section that is formed around the edge of the containing section by bonding the sheets of laminating film to each other. Corners are formed along the boundary between the containing section and the sealing section, and an adhesive resin layer in the sealing section is thicker in corner regions near the aforementioned corners than in other regions.