Abstract: A liquid crystal display device has first and second liquid crystal panels (101, 102) mainly comprising liquid crystal cells (107, 108), respectively, disposed back to back to enable the visual recognition of the liquid crystal panels (101, 102). A light guide plate (112) is disposed between the first liquid crystal panel (101) and the second liquid crystal panel (102) with a light source (114) located adjacent to its one end face (112c), and a polarization separator (110) located between the first liquid crystal panel (101) and the light guide plate (112). Light emitted from the light guide plate (112) is split into two beams of polarized light: one is emitted to the first liquid crystal panel (101), and the other to the second liquid crystal panel (102) through the light guide plate (112). This constitution thins down a both-sided display liquid crystal display device and reduces power consumption.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell includes at least one unit cell. The at least one unit cell includes: an anode; a cathode; a hydrogen-ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode; an anode-side separator having a flow channel for supplying and discharging a fuel to and from the anode; and a cathode-side separator having a gas flow channel for supplying and discharging an oxidant gas to and from the cathode. A water-repellent layer is formed on each side of the electrolyte membrane so as to surround the anode or the cathode. When the MEA is hydrated or when a liquid fuel is supplied to the cell for power generation, the part of the electrolyte membrane surrounding the electrodes is prevented from becoming swollen or deformed rapidly. It is therefore possible to ensure adhesion of the electrodes to the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack composed of a plurality of cells connected in series. The method includes the steps of: (a) supplying a fuel and an oxidant to anodes and cathodes of the cells, respectively, depending on a load to generate power at a constant voltage under constant voltage control; (b) temporarily suspending the supply of the oxidant with the fuel being supplied; and (c) lowering the constant voltage to a predetermined voltage simultaneously with or immediately before the suspension of the supply of the oxidant. According to this operation method, when the supply of the oxidant is suspended, a platinum catalyst in the cathodes can be reduced and reactivated in all the cells.

Abstract: In a display apparatus that has a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material 25 encapsulated in a gap between a completed first substrate 1 and a completed second substrate 11 by using a sealing member 26 and has a display region M and a peripheral region N in a region where the polymer dispersed liquid crystal material 25 is encapsulated, a wiring electrode 19 having light shielding properties is provided in at least a part of the peripheral region N of the completed second substrate 11, and an ultraviolet ray transmitting portion 19a that transmits an ultraviolet ray therethrough is provided in the peripheral region where the wiring electrode 19 is provided. An ultraviolet ray is applied from the substrate side where the ultraviolet ray transmitting portion 19a is provided to polymerize a monomer in the peripheral region N. The ultraviolet ray transmitting portion is formed of, e.g., a plurality of small holes, and the small holes are dispersedly arranged at equal intervals.

Abstract: A liquid crystal is sealed with a sealing member between first and second transparent substrates, whereby a liquid crystal cell capable of transmitting ultraviolet light is produced. The liquid crystal cell is inserted into a mould into which an ultraviolet-setting resin is dropped and which is used to produce a light control member. The ultraviolet-setting resin is pressed to be bonded to the liquid crystal cell. In this state, ultraviolet light is irradiated to the liquid crystal cell in the mould from outside the mould. Thus, the ultraviolet-setting resin is set while bonding to the liquid crystal cell. Thereafter, the liquid crystal cell is removed from the mould. Consequently, the light control member is directly formed on the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a display apparatus that can partially eliminate the need for a backlight unit and that achieves a corresponding reduction in thickness. The display apparatus includes two display panels arranged one on top of the other and each having two transparent substrates disposed opposite each other with a liquid crystal layer provided therebetween, and the first display panel has a reflective layer, a light-guiding transparent substrate, and a light control layer, and the second transparent substrate, reflective layer, light control layer, and light source together constitute an illuminating means for illuminating the second display panel which is an illuminated member, with provisions made to illuminate the second display panel by the light emerging from the light-guiding transparent substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal is sealed with a sealing member between first and second transparent substrates, whereby a liquid crystal cell capable of transmitting ultraviolet light is produced. The liquid crystal cell is inserted into a mould into which an ultraviolet-setting resin is dropped and which is used to produce a light control member. The ultraviolet-setting resin is pressed to be bonded to the liquid crystal cell. In this state, ultraviolet light is irradiated to the liquid crystal cell in the mould from outside the mould. Thus, the ultraviolet-setting resin is set while bonding to the liquid crystal cell. Thereafter, the liquid crystal cell is removed from the mould. Consequently, the light control member is directly formed on the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a light source driving circuit that can enhance a power supply efficiency while permitting reductions in the size and the noise of the power supply, and also provides a lighting apparatus, a display apparatus, a field-sequential-color liquid crystal display apparatus, and an information appliance that use such a light source driving circuit. The light source driving circuit includes a power supply section, a light source section, a charging section for storing an electric charge provided from the power supply section; a switching section for connecting the charging section to the power supply section or to the light source section, and a control section for controlling the switching section so as to connect the charging section to the power supply section, thereby charging the charging section, and so as to disconnect the charging section from the power supply section and connect the charging section to the light source section, thereby causing the light source section to emit light.

Abstract: A display device includes a light source that emits a plurality of color lights, and a liquid crystal panel that controls transmission or reflection of the color light from the light source. One field is divided into a plurality of subfields: fr, fg and fb. A specific color light is emitted for at least a partial time of each subfield. An image corresponding to the specific color light is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. Durations of the subfields fr, fg and fb are set to be different from any other subfield in same field. A reflection-type gradation displaying is executed based on a combination of the durations of the subfields.

Abstract: An information management system for managing the execution record of information processing includes a first storage unit, and a second storage unit storing the execution record at a lower speed than the first storage unit. An acquisition unit stores the execution record in the first and second storage units. An output unit refers to the execution record on the first or second storage unit and outputs the execution record to a predetermined output destination. A switching unit switches over the reference source of the execution record for the output unit between the first and second storage units.

Abstract: A cathode electrode for use in a fuel cell comprises, in sequence, a catalyst layer, a hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL), and a gas diffusion layer (GDL), wherein the MPL comprises a mixture of first and second hydrophobic materials having different melt viscosities. Also disclosed is a method for fabricating the hydrophobic microporous layer as part of a cathode electrode. The cathode electrode is particularly useful in direct oxidation fuel cells and systems, such as direct methanol fuel cells and systems operating with highly concentrated liquid fuel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a direct oxidation fuel cell system in which a liquid organic fuel or an aqueous solution thereof is supplied from a fuel tank to the anode of a fuel cell. This fuel cell system includes a discharge path for discharging a fluid that comprises gas and liquid from the anode of the fuel cell. The discharge path is equipped with a gas-liquid detector that comprises a tubular part for distinguishing whether the fluid passing through the tubular part is in gaseous form or liquid form, and a switching valve disposed downstream of the gas-liquid detector. This system further includes an anode-side recovery path that branches off from the switching valve and leads to the fuel tank, and a controller for switching the switching valve based on an output signal from the gas-liquid detector to recover the liquid in the discharge path.

Abstract: A direct-type fuel cell having excellent power generating characteristics even under operating conditions utilizing a high concentration fuel at low air flow rates. The anode includes an anode-side diffusion layer that faces the fuel flow channel and an anode-side catalyst layer in contact with the electrolyte membrane. The cathode includes a cathode-side diffusion layer that faces the air flow channel and a cathode-side catalyst layer in contact with the electrolyte membrane. A surface area of the anode-side diffusion layer facing the fuel flow channel or both a surface area of the anode-side diffusion layer facing the fuel flow channel and a surface area of the cathode-side diffusion layer facing the air flow channel have a critical surface tension of penetrating wettability of 22 to 40 mN/m.

Abstract: A fuel container for storing a fuel liquid for a fuel cell has a double wall structure including an inner container for storing a fuel liquid and an outer container for housing the inner container, and a material capable of retaining the fuel between the inner container and the outer container. A fuel cell pack includes a fuel cell and a fuel container for storing a fuel liquid for the fuel cell. The fuel cell pack includes a double wall exterior casing having an inner casing for housing the fuel cell and the fuel container and an outer casing for housing the inner casing, and a material capable of retaining the fuel between the inner casing and the outer casing.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a direct oxidation fuel cell includes a proton-conductive electrolyte membrane and an anode and a cathode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane. The equivalent weight of the proton-conductive substance contained in the catalyst layer of the anode is greater than the equivalent weight of the proton-conductive substance contained in the catalyst layer of the cathode. This invention reduces the performance deterioration caused by repetitive swelling and contraction of the electrolyte contained in the catalyst layer upon changes in operating conditions or upon repetitive start and stop of operation, thereby making it possible to provide a fuel cell with a high output and high performance.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) system, comprises at least one fuel cell assembly including a cathode and an anode with an electrolyte positioned therebetween, adapted for performing selected electrochemical reactions; a source of concentrated liquid fuel in fluid communication with an inlet of the anode; an oxidant supply in fluid communication with an inlet of the cathode; a liquid/gas (L/G) separator in fluid communication with outputs of the anode and cathode for receiving unreacted fuel and liquid and gaseous products of the electrochemical reactions; and a converter for catalytically converting a portion of the unreacted fuel to the liquid and gaseous products.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) system comprises at least one fuel cell assembly including a cathode and an anode with an electrolyte positioned therebetween; a source of liquid fuel in fluid communication with an anode inlet; an oxidant supply in fluid communication with a cathode inlet; a liquid/gas (L/G) separator in fluid communication with anode and cathode outlets for: (1) receiving unreacted fuel and liquid and gaseous products of electrochemical reactions at the cathode and anode, and (2) supplying the unreacted fuel and liquid product to the inlet of said anode; and a control and/or regulation system for determining a fuel efficiency value of the DOFC system during operation and determining and regulating and/or controlling oxidant stoichiometry of the DOFC system at an appropriate value in response to the determined fuel efficiency value.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal display apparatus, that achieves excellent color reproducibility with simple circuitry, and a method for driving such a liquid crystal display apparatus. The liquid crystal display apparatus includes a color light source, a liquid crystal display section for controlling transmission or reflection of light emitted from the color light source, a receiving section for receiving pixel data having red color data, green color data, and blue color data, a corrected data generating section for generating corrected red color data, corrected green color data, and corrected blue color data by using at least the red color data, the green color data, and the blue color data, and a liquid crystal driving section for driving the liquid crystal display section by using the corrected red color data, the corrected green color data, and the corrected blue color data.

Abstract: In a display apparatus, the number of wiring patterns to be routed on an interface board (FPC) connected to a display panel is reduced, thus reducing the size of the interface board and thereby reducing the overall size of the display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display panel which displays a plurality of color component images by sequentially switching from one image to another, a panel driving section which outputs a timing signal and a panel driving signal for driving the display panel, a light source which emits a plurality of colored lights, and a light source driving section which outputs a driving signal for driving the light source in synchronism with the timing signal.

Abstract: In a field sequential display device, a desired chromaticity of the white level can be easily achieved and fluctuations in the white level caused by fluctuation factors such as temperature characteristics can be suppressed. A light source comprises red, green, and blue LEDs and a white LED. The white LED includes a blue LED covered with a yellow fluorescent material. One field is divided into display subfields of red, green, blue and white. Only the red LED turns on in the red display subfield, only the green LED turns on in the green display subfield, only the blue LED turns on in the blue display subfield, and only the white LED turns on in the white display subfield. A shutter is controlled in each subfield based on sub-image data of each color.