Abstract: Provided is a photocatalytic coating in which the coating per se is hardly eroded even when a photocatalyst is excited and a coating surface having strong hydrophobic tendency can be formed. The photocatalytic coating is prepared by dispersing or dissolving at least a photocatalyst, a tetrafluoro-ethylene-based resin obtained by graft polymerization of a sulfonic acid, a compound containing metal ion having an ionic radius not less than an ionic radius of calcium and/or complex ion having an ionic radius not less than the ionic radius of calcium into a solvent. Further, hydroxide is used as the compound containing the metal ion or an electrically neutral surfactant is added to the photocatalytic coating.

Abstract: Provided is a photocatalytic coating in which the coating per se is hardly eroded even when a photocatalyst is excited and a coating surface having strong hydrophobic tendency can be formed. The photocatalytic coating is prepared by dispersing or dissolving at least a photocatalyst, a tetrafluoro-ethylene-based resin obtained by graft polymerization of a sulfonic acid, a compound containing metal ion having an ionic radius not less than an ionic radius of calcium and/or complex ion having an ionic radius not less than the ionic radius of calcium into a solvent. Further, hydroxide is used as the compound containing the metal ion or an electrically neutral surfactant is added to the photocatalytic coating.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that is capable of switching between compression ignition combustion and spark ignition combustion is provided. The control apparatus is configured to perform fuel cut. The spark ignition combustion is performed over a time period after the fuel cut. The compression ignition combustion is permitted when the time period elapses. Fuel cut decreases the temperature within the combustion chamber. According to the invention, if fuel cut is performed, the temperature within the combustion chamber is raised by the spark ignition combustion. Since the compression ignition combustion is permitted after the temperature within the combustion chamber rises, engine misfire and an increase of NOx emission are prevented. The time period is preferably determined based on the temperature within the combustion chamber immediately before the fuel cut is performed.

Abstract: The present invention aims at expanding an operation range for allowing a compression ignition combustion operation. The present invention provides an internal combustion engine of a compression ignition type that is capable of operating with a compression ignition combustion scheme in a given operation range. The ECU of the internal combustion engine detects an operating condition of the internal combustion engine and determines, according to the detected operating condition, which mode is to be used operate the internal combustion engine, a 4-cycle compression ignition mode or a 2-cycle compression ignition mode. The ECU controls the internal compression engine to perform the compression ignition mode determined.

Abstract: The present invention aims at expanding an operation range for allowing a compression ignition combustion operation. The present invention provides an internal combustion engine of a compression ignition type that is capable of operating with a compression ignition combustion scheme in a given operation range. The ECU of the internal combustion engine detects an operating condition of the internal combustion engine and determines, according to the detected operating condition, which mode is to be used operate the internal combustion engine, a 4-cycle compression ignition mode or a 2-cycle compression ignition mode. The ECU controls the internal compression engine to perform the compression ignition mode determined.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that is capable of switching between compression ignition combustion and spark ignition combustion is provided. The control apparatus is configured to perform fuel cut. The spark ignition combustion is performed over a time period after the fuel cut. The compression ignition combustion is permitted when the time period elapses. Fuel cut decreases the temperature within the combustion chamber. According to the invention, if fuel cut is performed, the temperature within the combustion chamber is raised by the spark ignition combustion. Since the compression ignition combustion is permitted after the temperature within the combustion chamber rises, engine misfire and an increase of NOx emission are prevented. The time period is preferably determined based on the temperature within the combustion chamber immediately before the fuel cut is performed.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device having a pair of substrates each provided with voltage applying means, an orientation control layer formed on at least one of the substrates, and a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal composition disposed between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound (a) having an optically active group of the formula (I): ##STR1## at least one compound (b) which is reverse to the compound (a) in the direction of a helical pitch induced in a nematic phase and at least one liquid crystal compound (c) exhibiting a smectic C phase, the liquid crystal composition exhibiting at least a smectic C phase, smectic A phase and nematic phase.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline compounds having an optically active .gamma.-lactone ring of the general formula (A): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a group selected from the class consisting of ##STR2## n and e are each independently 0 or 1, R.sup.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, said alkyl and alkenyl groups having each optionally one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, X and Y are each hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a cyano group, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, said alkyl and alkenyl groups having each optionally one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, and * means an asymmetric carbon atom, a liquid crystal composition containing the same and an element for opto-electronics devices comprising the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device having a pair of substrates each provided with voltage application means, an orientation control layer formed on at least one of the substrates, and a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal composition formed between the pair of substrates, the device being characterized in that the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition comprises at least one compound (a) having an optically active group of the formula (I): ##STR1## and at least one compound (b) which is reverse to the compound (a) in the direction of a helical pitch induced in a nematic phase, the liquid crystal composition exhibiting at least a smectic C phase, smectic A phase and nematic phase at least 20 .mu.m in helical pitch.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline compounds having an optically active .gamma.-lactone ring of the general formula (A): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a group selected from the class consisting of ##STR2## n and e are each independently 0 or 1, R.sup.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, said alkyl and alkenyl groups having each optionally one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, X and Y are each hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a cyano group, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, said alkyl and alkenyl groups having each optionally one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, and * means an asymmetric carbon atom, a liquid crystal composition Containing the same and an element for opto-electronics devices comprising the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: An optically active glycidyl ether, which is useful in making .gamma.-lactone containing liquid crystalline compounds, the ether having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a group selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## n is 0 or 1; e is 1; R.sup.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; and the symbol * is an asymmetric carbon atom.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline compounds having an optionally active .gamma.-lactone ring of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a group selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## n and e are each independently 0 or 1; R.sup.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is a group of the formula: --(CO).sub.m --R.sup.4 ; m is 0 or 1; R.sup.4 is hydrogen atom or an alkyl having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; and the symbol * is an asymmetric carbon atom, and an intermediate thereof, and process for the production of the same.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition including: at least one optically active compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are, the same or different, a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, k represents an integer of 0 or 1, and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom; andat least one compound selected from the group consisting of: compounds of the formula (II): ##STR2## where R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkoxy group having 1-15 carbon atoms, ##STR3## and ##STR4## each represents ##STR5## X represents --O--, --CO-- or a single bond, m and n are independently an integer of 0 or 1; compounds of the formula (III): ##STR6## where R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are, the same or different, a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkoxy group having 1-15 carbon atoms, and p is an integer of 0 or 1;said ferroelectric liquid crystal composition exhibiting at least nematic phase, smectic A phase and smectic C phase.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are, the same or different, a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and each asterisk represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and at least one compound represented by the formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are, the same or different, a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and each asterisk represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and liquid crystal device incorporating same.

Abstract: An improved ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprising a pair of substrates each provided with voltage applying means, at least one of the substrates having an orientation control layer, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer comprising specific .gamma.-lactone derivatives, which is useful as a liquid crystal shutter, liquid crystal display device or the like.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline compounds having an optically active .gamma.-lactone ring of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a group selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## n and e are each independently 0 or 1; R.sup.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is a group of the formula: --(CO).sub.m --R.sup.4 ; m is 0 or 1; R.sup.4 is hydrogen atom or an alkyl having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; and the symbol * is an asymmetric carbon atom, and an intermediate thereof, and process for the production of the same.