Abstract: A negative electrode active material includes an intermetallic compound. The intermetallic compound has a long period order along each of at least two crystal axes. The intermetallic compound is represented by formula (1) given below: LnM1yM2z??(1) where y and z fall within the ranges of 0.3?y?1 and 2?z?3, respectively, Ln denotes at least one element having an atomic radius in crystal in a range of 1.6×10?10 to 2.2×10?10 m, M1 denotes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Nb, and M2 denotes at least one element selected from the group consisting of P, Si, Ge, Sn and Sb.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing as a principal phase at least one phase selected from the group consisting of a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal structure and a first phase having a crystal structure of a hexagonal system excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type structure, wherein a content of a phase having a crystal structure of AB2 type is not higher than 10% by volume including 0% by volume and the hydrogen absorbing alloy has a composition represented by general formula (1) given below: R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-X-Y-?M1XM2YMn???(1)

Abstract: The magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration of the present invention is characterized by exhibiting, in a certain temperature region, preferably, only in part of a temperature region from 200 K to 350 K, an inflection point at which a second order differential coefficient of a magnetization curve changes from positive to negative with respect to a magnetic field, within the range of this magnetic field formed using a permanent magnet unit. This magnetic material of the present invention can generate a low temperature by using a relatively low magnetic field, by transferring the entropy between the electron spin system and the lattice system near the temperature at which an inflection point appears on the magnetization curve. Examples of the magnetic material meeting this condition are La(Fe,Si)13, (Hf,Ta)Fe2, (Ti,Sc)Fe2, and (Nb,Mo)Fe2, each containing 50 to 60 atomic % of transition metals such as Fe.

Abstract: An electrode material includes an alloy having a Gd3Ni8Sn16 type crystal structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing as a principal phase at least one phase selected from the group consisting of a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal structure and a first phase having a crystal structure of a hexagonal system excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type structure, wherein a content of a phase having a crystal structure of AB2 type is not higher than 10% by volume including 0% by volume and the hydrogen absorbing alloy has a composition represented by general formula (1) given below: R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-X-Y-?M1XM2YMn?.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a case, a nonaqueous electrolyte provided in the case, a positive electrode provided in the case and capable of absorbing-releasing Li, and a negative electrode provided in the case and containing an alloy that has a La3Co2Sn7 type crystal structure.

Abstract: A soft magnetic alloy fiber has a width of 10 ?m or more to less than 500 ?m, a thickness of 2 ?m or more to less than 20 ?m, and a Curie temperature of ?50° C. or higher.

Abstract: The magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration of the present invention is characterized by exhibiting, in a certain temperature region, preferably, only in part of a temperature region from 200 K to 350 K, an inflection point at which a second order differential coefficient of a magnetization curve changes from positive to negative with respect to a magnetic field, within the range of this magnetic field formed using a permanent magnet unit. This magnetic material of the present invention can generate a low temperature by using a relatively low magnetic field, by transferring the entropy between the electron spin system and the lattice system near the temperature at which an inflection point appears on the magnetization curve. Examples of the magnetic material meeting this condition are La(Fe,Si)13, (Hf,Ta)Fe2, (Ti,Sc)Fe2, and (Nb,Mo)Fe2, each containing 50 to 60 atomic % of transition metals such as Fe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode contains an alloy having a CeNiSi2 type crystal structure.

Abstract: The magnetic powder for validity determining ink is composed of magnetic oxide powder having a Curie temperature between −50° C. and 150° C. and a mean powder particle diameter of 10 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: The magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration of the present invention is characterized by exhibiting, in a certain temperature region, preferably, only in part of a temperature region from 200 K to 350 K, an inflection point at which a second order differential coefficient of a magnetization curve changes from positive to negative with respect to a magnetic field, within the range of this magnetic field formed using a permanent magnet unit. This magnetic material of the present invention can generate a low temperature by using a relatively low magnetic field, by transferring the entropy between the electron spin system and the lattice system near the temperature at which an inflection point appears on the magnetization curve. Examples of the magnetic material meeting this condition are La(Fe,Si)13, (Hf,Ta)Fe2, (Ti,Sc)Fe2, and (Nb,Mo)Fe2, each containing 50 to 60 atomic % of transition metals such as Fe.

Abstract: A soft magnetic alloy fiber has a width of 10 &mgr;m or more to less than 500 &mgr;m, a thickness of 2 &mgr;m or more to less than 20 &mgr;m, and a Curie temperature of −50° C. or higher.

Abstract: A soft magnetic alloy fiber has a width of 10 &mgr;m or more to less than 500 &mgr;m, a thickness of 2 &mgr;m or more to less than 20 &mgr;m, and a Curie temperature of −50° C. or higher.

Abstract: A soft magnetic alloy fiber has a width of 10 &mgr;m or more to less than 500 &mgr;m, a thickness of 2 &mgr;m or more to less than 20 &mgr;m, and a Curie temperature of −50° C. or higher.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a negative electrode material is provided. The negative electrode material is capable of storing and releasing lithium, and exhibits at least one peak of heat generation in the range of 200° C. to 450° C. in the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a temperature rise speed of 10° C./min. and a peak derived from a crystalline phase in the X-ray diffraction.

Abstract: The magnetic powder for validity determining ink is composed of magnetic oxide powder having a Curie temperature between −50° C. and 150° C. and a mean powder particle diameter of 10 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing as a principal phase at least one phase selected from the group consisting of a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal structure and a first phase having a crystal structure of a hexagonal system excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type structure, wherein a content of a phase having a crystal structure of AB2 type is not higher than 10% by volume including 0% by volume and the hydrogen absorbing alloy has a composition represented by general formula (1) given below:

Abstract: A bond magnet comprises a molded body in which a mixture of flake of magnet material comprising rare earth element-iron-nitrogen as main component, TbCu7 type crystal phase as a principal phase and a thickness of less than 200 &mgr;m a binder is compression molded. A compression molded body constituting a bond magnet has a density of 6×103 kg/m3 or more. In the step of compression molding a mixture of magnet material and binder, pressure is applied a plurality of times, or pressure is applied while rotating a punch and die, or the binder is cured while applying pressure to obtain such a bond magnet with good reproducibility. Such a bond magnet has excellent magnetic properties and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The magnetic powder for validity determining ink is composed of magnetic oxide power having a Curie temperature between −50°C. and 150°C. and a mean powder particle diameter of 10 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: The magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration of the present invention is characterized by exhibiting, in a certain temperature region, preferably, only in part of a temperature region from 200 K to 350 K, an inflection point at which a second order differential coefficient of a magnetization curve changes from positive to negative with respect to a magnetic field, within the range of this magnetic field formed using a permanent magnet unit. This magnetic material of the present invention can generate a low temperature by using a relatively low magnetic field, by transferring the entropy between the electron spin system and the lattice system near the temperature at which an inflection point appears on the magnetization curve. Examples of the magnetic material meeting this condition are La(Fe,Si)13, (Hf,Ta)Fe2, (Ti,Sc)Fe2, and (Nb,Mo)Fe2, each containing 50 to 60 atomic % of transition metals such as Fe.