Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode mixture layer for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, which contains an electrode active material, a carbon-based conductive agent containing fibrous carbon having an average effective length of 10 ?m, and a binder, and which has a thickness of 50 ?m or more. This electrode mixture layer has an inner layer portion where the fibrous carbon is three-dimensionally dispersed in a random manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode mixture layer for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, which contains an electrode active material, a carbon-based conductive agent containing fibrous carbon having an average effective length of 10 ?m, and a binder, and which has a thickness of 50 ?m or more. This electrode mixture layer has an inner layer portion where the fibrous carbon is three-dimensionally dispersed in a random manner.

Abstract: Provided are a novel adduct compound and a novel ?-diketone compound, from which organic semiconductor layers consisting of a fused polycyclic aromatic compound can be formed by a solution method, said solution method being generally easier than a deposition method. Also provided are a method for the purification of the adduct compound, and a solution for the formation of organic semiconductor film, which contains the adduct compound. The adduct compound has a structure wherein a compound having a double bond is added in an eliminable state to a fused polycyclic aromatic compound of general formula (I): Ar1Ar2Ar3 (I), while the ?-diketone compound has a structure wherein a compound having a double bond is added in an eliminable state to a fused polycyclic aromatic compound. The fused polycyclic aromatic compound is dinaphthothienothiophene or the like, while the compound having a double bond is hexachlorocyclopentadiene or the like.

Abstract: Provided is a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound that can be used as a precursor for synthesizing a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound having relatively high solubility. Also provided is a method for synthesizing and using such a novel condensed polycyclic aromatic compound. The condensed polycyclic aromatic compound is represented by formula (II): (II) (where X1 and X2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkyl group, and the like, but at least one of X1 and X2 is a halogen atom; B is a condensed ring having at least one benzene ring moiety; each Y is independently selected from chalcogens; and A1 through A4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, alkyl groups, and the like and two adjacent atoms or groups can bond together to form an aromatic group).

Abstract: Provided is a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound that can be used as a precursor for synthesizing a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound having relatively high solubility. Also provided is a method for synthesizing and using such a novel condensed polycyclic aromatic compound. The condensed polycyclic aromatic compound is represented by formula (II): (II) (where X1 and X2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkyl group, and the like, but at least one of X1 and X2 is a halogen atom; B is a condensed ring having at least one benzene ring moiety; each Y is independently selected from chalcogens; and A1 through A4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, alkyl groups, and the like and two adjacent atoms or groups can bond together to form an aromatic group.

Abstract: A polarizing element is provided that can serve as a reflective polarizing element, can be produced with relative ease, and is not problematic in terms of strength. Further, the polarizing element can maintain the intensity and the propagation direction of the light that has passed through the polarizing element. Further, a liquid crystal display device is provided that can use light with improved efficiency with the use of the polarizing element. Specifically, the polarizing element includes a plurality of specifically angled, polygonal prisms on a surface of a substantially uniaxial sheet having an in-plane optical axis, and an optically transparent resin layer having a refractive index substantially the same as the fast-axis refractive index of the sheet, and that coats the prisms.

Abstract: Provided are a novel adduct compound and a novel ?-diketone compound, from which organic semiconductor layers consisting of a fused polycyclic aromatic compound can be formed by a solution method, said solution method being generally easier than a deposition method. Also provided are a method for the purification of the adduct compound, and a solution for the formation of organic semiconductor film, which contains the adduct compound. The adduct compound has a structure wherein a compound having a double bond is added in an eliminable state to a fused polycyclic aromatic compound of general formula (I): Ar1Ar2Ar3 (I), while the ?-diketone compound has a structure wherein a compound having a double bond is added in an eliminable state to a fused polycyclic aromatic compound. The fused polycyclic aromatic compound is dinaphthothienothiophene or the like, while the compound having a double bond is hexachlorocyclopentadiene or the like.

Abstract: A polarizing plate comprising (a) a layer composed of a plurality of polyvinyl alcohol fibers adsorbing a dichroic pigment and having an aspect ratio of 10 or more, which are arranged in a planar form in one direction, or the above layer (a) and (b) a layer composed of a plurality of fibers having an aspect ratio of 10 or more and a difference between the refractive index of fiber in long axis and the refractive index of fiber in short axis of 0.05 or more and not adsorbing a dichroic pigment, which are arranged in a planar form in one direction, and/or (b?) a plurality of fibers having an aspect ratio of 10 or more and a difference between the refractive index of fiber in long axis and the refractive index of fiber in short axis of less than 0.05 and not adsorbing a dichroic pigment, which are arranged in a planar form in one direction, and (c) an optically transparent resin.

Abstract: A polarizing element is provided that can serve as a reflective polarizing element, can be produced with relative ease, and is not problematic in terms of strength. Further, the polarizing element can maintain the intensity and the propagation direction of the light that has passed through the polarizing element. Further, a liquid crystal display device is provided that can use light with improved efficiency with the use of the polarizing element. Specifically, the polarizing element includes a plurality of specifically angled, polygonal prisms on a surface of a substantially uniaxial sheet having an in-plane optical axis, and an optically transparent resin layer having a refractive index substantially the same as the fast-axis refractive index of the sheet, and that coats the prisms.

Abstract: A polarizing plate comprising (a) a layer composed of a plurality of polyvinyl alcohol fibers adsorbing a dichroic pigment and having an aspect ratio of 10 or more, which are arranged in a planar form in one direction, or the above layer (a) and (b) a layer composed of a plurality of fibers having an aspect ratio of 10 or more and a difference between the refractive index of fiber in long axis and the refractive index of fiber in short axis of 0.05 or more and not adsorbing a dichroic pigment, which are arranged in a planar form in one direction, and/or (b?) a plurality of fibers having an aspect ratio of 10 or more and a difference between the refractive index of fiber in long axis and the refractive index of fiber in short axis of less than 0.05 and not adsorbing a dichroic pigment, which are arranged in a planar form in one direction, and (c) an optically transparent resin.

Abstract: An optically isotropic film of an aromatic polyethersulfone, which is useful as a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, and an optically anisotropic, uniaxially oriented film of an aromatic polyethersulfone, which is useful as a phase difference plate for a liquid crystal display device. The optically isotropic film is produced by casting an aromatic polyethersulfone solution composition comprising 15 to 40 parts by weight of a solvent which contains at least 60% by weight of 1,3-dioxolane and can dissolve an aromatic polyethersulfone and 10 parts by weight of the aromatic polyethersulfone, on a substrate, and heating the cast solution composition containing a solvent to evaporate the solvent off.

Abstract: An optically isotropic film of an aromatic polyethersulfone, which is useful as a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, and an optically anisotropic, uniaxially oriented film of an aromatic polyethersulfone, which is useful as a phase difference plate for a liquid crystal display device. The optically isotropic film is produced by casting an aromatic polyethersulfone solution composition comprising 15 to 40 parts by weight of a solvent which contains at least 60% by weight of 1,3-dioxolane and can dissolve an aromatic polyethersulfone and 10 parts by weight of the aromatic polyethersulfone, on a substrate, and heating the cast solution composition containing a solvent to evaporate the solvent off.

Abstract: An optically isotropic film of an aromatic polyethersulfone, which is useful as a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, and an optically anisotropic, uniaxially oriented film of an aromatic polyethersulfone, which is useful as a phase difference plate for a liquid crystal display device. The optically isotropic film is produced by casting an aromatic polyethersulfone solution composition comprising 15 to 40 parts by weight of a solvent which contains at least 60% by weight of 1,3-dioxolane and can dissolve an aromatic polyethersulfone and 10 parts by weight of the aromatic polyethersulfone, on a substrate, and heating the cast solution composition containing a solvent to evaporate the solvent off.

Abstract: A sulfur compound-coordinate bonded organic coloring matter, having a high resistance to ultraviolet rays and usable for a photorecording medium, comprises a reaction product of a transition metal complex of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is zero, 1 or 2, A is a cation when n is 1 or but when n is zero, no cation A exists, X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are --O--, --S--, --SH--, --NH-- or --NH.sub.2 --, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, cyano or alkyl, optionally the groups of the formulae ##STR2## are cyclized to form a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene or naphthylene or divalent heterocyclic ring containing O, S or N, and M is a transition metal atom having a coordinate number of 4 or more, with an organic sulfur compound having a mercapto or disulfide radical, to form at least one coordinate bond between the transition metal atom M and the mercapto or disulfide radical.

Abstract: A novel naphthalocyanine based compound having Si atom as a central metal and groups selected from ##STR1## CN, and --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 which is bonded to said Si atom via a specific hydrocarbon group, by which solubility in an organic solvent, compatibility with a polymeric substance and durability against an infrared ray are improved. The compound may be incorporated into a polymeric substance layer to form a recording layer of an optical recording medium.

Abstract: A method for detecting a component of a biological system, which comprises contacting a biological component detecting device composed of a light reflecting substrate (I) substantially free from diffused reflection, a light interference layer (II) formed on the substrate (I), and a layer (III) of a substance for detecting said biological component provided at least in a region on the layer (II), with a solution presumed to contain the biological component to be detected, then forming a light-transmitting reflecting layer (IV) on its surface, and thereafter detecting the color of light interference or the brightness of the reflected light on the surface of the device.