Abstract: Processes for forming an actuator having a curved piezoelectric membrane are disclosed. The processes utilize a profile-transferring substrate having a curved surface surrounded by a planar surface to form the curved piezoelectric membrane. The piezoelectric material used for the piezoelectric actuator is deposited on at least the curved surface of the profile-transferring substrate before the profile-transferring substrate is removed from the underside of the curved piezoelectric membrane. The resulting curved piezoelectric membrane includes grain structures that are columnar and aligned, and all or substantially all of the columnar grains are locally perpendicular to the curved surface of the piezoelectric membrane.

Abstract: Processes for forming an actuator having a curved piezoelectric membrane are disclosed. The processes utilize a profile-transferring substrate having a curved surface surrounded by a planar surface to form the curved piezoelectric membrane. The piezoelectric material used for the piezoelectric actuator is deposited on at least the curved surface of the profile-transferring substrate before the profile-transferring substrate is removed from the underside of the curved piezoelectric membrane. The resulting curved piezoelectric membrane includes grain structures that are columnar and aligned, and all or substantially all of the columnar grains are locally perpendicular to the curved surface of the piezoelectric membrane.

Abstract: Semiconductor substrates with high aspect ratio recesses formed therein are described. The high aspect ratio recesses have bottom surface profile characteristics that promote formation of initial growth sites of plated metal as compared to the side surfaces of the recesses. Processes for making and plating the recesses are also disclosed. The metal-plated high aspect ratio recesses can be used as X-ray gratings in Phase Contrast X-ray imaging apparatuses.

Abstract: Semiconductor substrates with high aspect ratio recesses formed therein are described. The high aspect ratio recesses have bottom surface profile characteristics that promote formation of initial growth sites of plated metal as compared to the side surfaces of the recesses. Processes for making and plating the recesses are also disclosed. The metal-plated high aspect ratio recesses can be used as X-ray gratings in Phase Contrast X-ray imaging apparatuses.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet conveying device includes a paper feeding roller, a separating roller, a double-feed detection section, a double-feed determining section, a torque limiter, a driving section, and a driving force-input control section. The paper feeding roller conveys a sheet. The separating roller separates sheets doubly fed to a nip between the separating roller and the paper feeding roller. The double-feed detection section detects conveyance state of the sheets to the nip and outputs a detection signal. The double-feed determining section determines, on the basis of the detection signal, whether sheets conveyed to the nip are doubly fed. If only one sheet is conveyed to the nip, the torque limiter allows the separating roller to be driven to rotate following the paper feeding roller. The driving section inputs driving force to the separating roller via the torque limiter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an error detection device including a sensor which detects a state where an object has moved to a predetermined position, a drive device which drives the object to a predetermined position, and an error determination device which reports that a predetermined process is to be performed with respect to the target, if the sensor detects a state where the target does not move to the predetermined position within a predetermined time from if the drive device starts driving.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head in which a pressure chamber for storing an ejection liquid is connected with an ink supply channel through a restrictor, includes the steps of: forming first spaces for the liquid supply channel and the pressure chamber in a silicon substrate by performing anisotropic etching on a surface of the silicon substrate, the surface of the silicon substrate being parallel to a Si(110) plane, each of the first spaces being defined by two vertical walls and two inclined walls, each of the two vertical walls being parallel to a Si(111) plane that is perpendicular to the surface of the silicon substrate, each of the two inclined walls being parallel to a Si(111) plane that is inclined with respect to the surface of the silicon substrate; then forming an etching protection film on the silicon substrate, the etching protection film protecting the silicon substrate from being etched; then forming an opening corresponding to a second space for the restrictor in the etching pr

Abstract: A first substrate 10 having a channel 12 which passes through the inside thereof and an opening 14a or 14b of the channel which is formed on at least one side thereof, and a second substrate 20 for forming a nozzle hole communicating with the channel are prepared. The second substrate is bonded to the one side of the first substrate where the channel opening 14b is formed so that the opening is blocked by the second substrate. The second substrate is etched with a mixed etching fluid, which contains a high-pressure fluid and an etching solution, fed thereto via the channel of the first substrate, thereby forming the nozzle hole 22 communicating with the channel.

Abstract: The nozzle plate comprises: a nozzle through which liquid is ejected; a nozzle forming surface in which the nozzle is provided; and a liquid-repellency layer which is provided on the nozzle forming surface, the liquid-repellency layer including a carbon nanotube layer.

Abstract: The liquid ejection head includes: a first SOI substrate which has a first active layer, a first dielectric layer and a first supporting layer; a second SOI substrate which has a second active layer, a second dielectric layer and a second supporting layer, the second active layer being bonded to the first supporting layer; and a nozzle which is formed between the first supporting layer and the second dielectric layer, the nozzle ejecting liquid in an ejection direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the first SOI substrate and the second SOI substrate, a cross-sectional width of the nozzle perpendicular to the ejection direction being defined by a thickness of the second active layer.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes, an image forming section which forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium, a conveying path through which the recording medium passes, a conveying section which conveys the recording medium along the path in a conveying direction and has a reverse conveying portion which reversely conveys the recording medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction, a main body, a first medium holding section which is disposed on the main body to hold the recording medium discharged from a first discharge port, a second medium holding section which holds the recording medium discharged from a second discharge port disposed above the first discharge port of the main body, and a third medium holding section which is disposed below the second medium holding section to hold the recording medium reversely conveyed by the conveying section.

Abstract: The liquid ejection head includes: a core substrate of which base material is fiber, the core substrate being provided with a plurality of ejection ports and a plurality of pressure chambers which communicate respectively with the plurality of ejection ports; a diaphragm which is attached to one surface of the core substrate and has a piezoelectric element disposed thereon; a first laminated resin layer portion which is formed by laminating resin thin plates onto the surface of the core substrate to which the diaphragm is attached, the first laminated resin layer portion being provided with a common liquid chamber that supplies a liquid to the plurality of pressure chambers; a second laminated resin layer portion which is formed by laminating resin thin plates onto a surface of the core substrate opposite to the surface to which the diaphragm is attached, the second laminated resin layer portion being provided with a plurality of ejection flow passages that connect the plurality of pressure chambers respectiv

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes first and second conveying mechanisms disposed at a predetermined distance, a feeding roller for feeding an output medium for supporting a developer image to a predetermined position capable of holding the developer image, a separation roller, or a conveying roller, a cassette for housing the output medium, and a plurality of sensors capable of detecting a time for conveying the output medium between the cassette and the feeding roller and the separation roller or the conveying roller, and is capable of setting its regulating a mount of an applied pressure regulating mechanism based on the detected results of the respective sensors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes first and second conveying mechanisms disposed at a predetermined distance, a feeding roller for feeding an output medium for supporting a developer image to a predetermined position capable of holding the developer image, a separation roller, or a conveying roller, a cassette for housing the output medium, and a plurality of sensors capable of detecting a time for conveying the output medium between the cassette and the feeding roller and the separation roller or the conveying roller, and is capable of setting its regulating a mount of an applied pressure regulating mechanism based on the detected results of the respective sensors.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head in which a pressure chamber for storing an ejection liquid is connected with an ink supply channel through a restrictor, includes the steps of: forming first spaces for the liquid supply channel and the pressure chamber in a silicon substrate by performing anisotropic etching on a surface of the silicon substrate, the surface of the silicon substrate being parallel to a Si(110) plane, each of the first spaces being defined by two vertical walls and two inclined walls, each of the two vertical walls being parallel to a Si(111) plane that is perpendicular to the surface of the silicon substrate, each of the two inclined walls being parallel to a Si(111) plane that is inclined with respect to the surface of the silicon substrate; then forming an etching protection film on the silicon substrate, the etching protection film protecting the silicon substrate from being etched; then forming an opening corresponding to a second space for the restrictor in the etching pr

Abstract: The nozzle plate comprises: a nozzle through which liquid is ejected; a nozzle forming surface in which the nozzle is provided; and a liquid-repellency layer which is provided on the nozzle forming surface, the liquid-repellency layer including a carbon nanotube layer.

Abstract: The liquid ejection head includes: a first SOI substrate which has a first active layer, a first dielectric layer and a first supporting layer; a second SOI substrate which has a second active layer, a second dielectric layer and a second supporting layer, the second active layer being bonded to the first supporting layer; and a nozzle which is formed between the first supporting layer and the second dielectric layer, the nozzle ejecting liquid in an ejection direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the first SOI substrate and the second SOI substrate, a cross-sectional width of the nozzle perpendicular to the ejection direction being defined by a thickness of the second active layer.

Abstract: The liquid ejection head comprises: a core substrate of which base material is fiber, the core substrate being provided with a plurality of ejection ports and a plurality of pressure chambers which communicate respectively with the plurality of ejection ports; a diaphragm which is attached to one surface of the core substrate and has a piezoelectric element disposed thereon; a first laminated resin layer portion which is formed by laminating resin thin plates onto the surface of the core substrate to which the diaphragm is attached, the first laminated resin layer portion being provided with a common liquid chamber that supplies a liquid to the plurality of pressure chambers; a second laminated resin layer portion which is formed by laminating resin thin plates onto a surface of the core substrate opposite to the surface to which the diaphragm is attached, the second laminated resin layer portion being provided with a plurality of ejection flow passages that connect the plurality of pressure chambers respecti

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes first and second conveying mechanisms disposed at a predetermined distance, a feeding roller for feeding an output medium for supporting a developer image to a predetermined position capable of holding the developer image, a separation roller, or a conveying roller, a cassette for housing the output medium, and a plurality of sensors capable of detecting a time for conveying the output medium between the cassette and the feeding roller and the separation roller or the conveying roller, and is capable of setting its regulating a mount of an applied pressure regulating mechanism based on the detected results of the respective sensors.

Abstract: A method for printing a tab heading on a tab portion of a paper including displaying an initial menu on an operation panel, allowing pressing of a tab button on a second menu, allowing pressing of a tab-layout button on a third menu, allowing input of contents of the tab heading on the fourth menu, allowing setting of a tab-size and a number of tabs on a fifth menu, and printing the tab heading on the tab portion of the paper based on the layout of the tab heading, the contents of the tab heading, the tab size, and the number of tabs.