Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming, in element regions of a semiconductor wafer, electrodes and a insulator on peripheral part of the electrodes so that a height of the insulator is higher than that of the electrodes; forming, on the front face of the semiconductor wafer, a groove for surrounding a periphery of the electrodes with the insulator being sandwiched between the electrodes and the groove, the groove being formed so that a height of the groove is lower than that of the insulator and the groove extends to an outer circumferential edge of the semiconductor wafer; bonding adhesives onto the electrodes in the element regions so that a height of the adhesives is higher than that of the insulator, and bonding, onto the adhesives, a base material for covering the front face of the semiconductor wafer; and processing a rear face of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer, includes: a plurality of element regions; a surface electrode that is disposed in each of the plurality of element regions; an insulating layer that is disposed in each of the plurality of element regions and of which height from a front side surface of the semiconductor wafer is higher than that of the surface electrode in a periphery of the surface electrode; and a dicing line groove that is formed in a front side surface of the semiconductor wafer, that surrounds the surface electrode with the insulating layer therebetween, of which height from the front side surface of the semiconductor wafer is lower than that of the insulating layer, and that extends to a perimeter of the semiconductor wafer; in which the insulating layer is formed with a communication passage that extends from a side of the surface electrode to the dicing line groove.

Abstract: A TiN film forming method repeatedly performs for a plurality of substrates to be processed, a step of loading each substrate into a processing chamber, supplying a Ti-containing gas and a nitriding gas into the processing chamber, and forming a TiN film on a surface of the substrate by generating a plasma of the supplied gases. The TiN film forming method includes a Ti film forming step of forming a Ti film by supplying a processing gas containing Ti-containing gas into the processing chamber in a state where no substrate exists in the processing chamber after the TiN films are formed on a predetermined number of the substrates.

Abstract: This invention is intended to produce isobutanol with excellent productivity via a fermentation process. A reaction in which NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase generates NADPH from NADP is used as a source of NADPH for the reaction of converting 2-acetolactate into 2,3-dihydroxy-isovalerate in the isobutanol biosynthesis pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, an improvement in the production of a desired product from yeast, wherein the growth rate and fermentation rate of the yeast are maintained at excellent levels. The present invention also provides, inter alia, for the introduction of a foreign gene into a yeast host cell, wherein the foreign gene encodes an enzyme involved in the production of a desired product. The yeast may also constitutively express a HAP4 gene, or a homologous gene thereof, to significantly improve the ability of the yeast to produce the desired product while maintaining its growth rate and fermentation rate. In some embodiments, a yeast mutant is used which is a mutant strain having lowered alcohol productivity vis-à-vis a wild-type strain.

Abstract: A reaction solution dot shape information obtainment method to be employed for a transfer type inkjet recording method including applying a reaction solution to aggregate a color material component contained in an ink onto an image forming surface of an intermediate transfer member, forming an intermediate image by applying the ink containing the color material component onto the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer member onto which the reaction solution is applied, and forming an image by transferring the intermediate image from the image forming surface to a recording medium by pressing the recording medium to the image forming surface on which the intermediate image is formed, includes measuring a shape of an ink dot of the intermediate image formed on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer member or the image transferred onto the recording medium, and obtaining shape information of a reaction solution dot from a measurement result of the ink dot shape.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, an input shaft rotatable on an axis thereof, an output shaft for driving the compression mechanism, a transmission for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and also changing the rotating speed of the input shaft and a control device for controlling the operation of the transmission. The transmission includes a plurality of planetary rollers, a carrier rotatably supporting the respective planetary rollers and being integrally rotatable with the input shaft, a sun roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers and integrally rotatable with the output shaft and a ring roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers. The ring roller can be fixed to the housing or rotatable relative to the housing.

Abstract: In a transfer inkjet recording system, a cooling unit is configured to independently cool multiple locations in a region in which an intermediate image of an intermediate transfer medium is formed in accordance with one of a temperature of the intermediate transfer medium after being heated by a heating unit or in accordance with image data.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for improving the xylose-metabolizing ability of a yeast strain having xylose-metabolizing ability. The method comprises steps of: soaking the yeast strain having xylose-metabolizing ability in an acetic-acid-containing solution; and then, culturing the yeast strain in a xylose-containing medium to perform ethanol fermentation.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, an input shaft rotatable on an axis thereof, an output shaft for driving the compression mechanism, a transmission for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and changing the speed of the input shaft and a control device. The transmission is a planetary roller train and includes a plurality of planetary rollers, a carrier, a sun roller and a ring roller. The ring roller includes a first ring engaging the respective planetary rollers and a second ring supporting a one-way clutch. The ring roller can be movable relative to the housing in the direction parallel to the axis. The first ring and the second ring are connected so that the first ring can be displaced in a radial direction, integrally rotatable with the second ring and movable with the second ring in the direction parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A differential pressure control valve has a valve seat made of magnetic material, a valve body having a lid made of magnetic material, and a guiding member. Fluid passes through a valve hole formed in the seat. The body on the downstream side of the seat separates from or is seated on the seat in accordance with the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides to selectively open and close the hole. The guiding member fixed to the seat guides the body. The lid is seated on the seat to close the hole. A guided member is made of nonmagnetic material. One of the seat and the lid has a permanent magnet. The body is urged in the direction approaching the seat by the force of the magnet located at a position outside the area where the body is seated on the seat.

Abstract: In a transfer inkjet recording system, a cooling unit is configured to independently cool multiple locations in a region in which an intermediate image of an intermediate transfer medium is formed in accordance with one of a temperature of the intermediate transfer medium after being heated by a heating unit or in accordance with image data.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, an input shaft rotatable on an axis thereof, an output shaft for driving the compression mechanism, a transmission for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and also changing the rotating speed of the input shaft and a control device. The transmission includes a plurality of planetary rollers, a carrier rotatably supporting the respective planetary rollers and being integrally rotatable with the input shaft, a sun roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers and integrally rotatable with the output shaft and a ring roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers. The ring roller can be fixed to the housing or rotatable relative to the housing. The control device includes a one-way clutch allowing the ring roller to rotate only one direction relative to the carrier and a clutch fixing the ring roller to the housing or allowing the ring roller to rotate relative to the housing.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, an input shaft rotatable on an axis thereof, an output shaft for driving the compression mechanism, a transmission for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and also changing the rotating speed of the input shaft and a control device for controlling the operation of the transmission. The transmission includes a plurality of planetary rollers, a carrier rotatably supporting the respective planetary rollers and being integrally rotatable with the input shaft, a sun roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers and integrally rotatable with the output shaft and a ring roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers. The ring roller can be fixed to the housing or rotatable relative to the housing.

Abstract: A reaction solution dot shape information obtainment method to be employed for a transfer type inkjet recording method including applying a reaction solution to aggregate a color material component contained in an ink onto an image forming surface of an intermediate transfer member, forming an intermediate image by applying the ink containing the color material component onto the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer member onto which the reaction solution is applied, and forming an image by transferring the intermediate image from the image forming surface to a recording medium by pressing the recording medium to the image forming surface on which the intermediate image is formed, includes measuring a shape of an ink dot of the intermediate image formed on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer member or the image transferred onto the recording medium, and obtaining shape information of a reaction solution dot from a measurement result of the ink dot shape.

Abstract: This invention is intended to improve the efficiency of organic acid fermentation in a simple manner without mutant breeding, DNA recombination breeding, or other means, when producing an organic acid via fermentation with the use of yeast that produces the organic acid of interest. The efficiency of the yeast's ability to produce organic acid is significantly improved by treating yeast that produces an organic acid in an organic-acid-containing medium having a low pH value.

Abstract: A refrigerant circuit includes a linear electric compressor including a housing with a cylinder bore, a pair of end plates, a valve unit, a piston, an urging device for urging the piston, a coil generating electromagnetic force and a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet cooperates with the urging device and the coil to reciprocate the piston in the cylinder bore. The piston further includes a piston rod and the urging device is provided around the piston rod and a pair of piston heads integrally formed at opposite ends of the piston rod. The diameter of the piston rod is smaller than that of the piston head. The permanent magnet is provided on the piston head and the coil surrounds the piston head. The housing further includes a seat located between the pair of piston heads and the urging device is provided between the seat and each of the piston head.

Abstract: A compressor for use in a vehicle includes a mechanical compression mechanism including a first casing and a drive shaft. The first casing has therein a first suction chamber and a first discharge chamber. The drive shaft is rotatably supported by the first casing and mechanically driven by a drive source for compression of refrigerant. The compressor further includes a linear electric compression mechanism including a second casing and a piston. The second casing has therein a second suction chamber and a second discharge chamber. The piston is reciprocally movable in the second casing and driven by electromagnetic force for compression of refrigerant. The first casing is integrated with the second casing so as to allow at least one of fluid communication between the first suction chamber and the second suction chamber and between the first discharge chamber and the second discharge chamber.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the ability to produce a desired product is significantly improved and the growth rate and the fermentation rate are maintained at excellent levels for yeast upon production of a desired product with the use of yeast A yeast used as a host is introduced with a foreign gene that encodes an enzyme involved in the production of a desired product and the HAP4 gene that can be constitutively expressed or a homologous gene thereof. Preferably a yeast mutant is a mutant strain having lowered alcohol productivity than that of a wild-type strain.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes an external drive source, a driven apparatus having a rotary shaft, a power transmission path, first and second rotating parts, a power source, an electromagnetic coil and a power cutoff mechanism. A power transmission path is formed between the external drive source and the driven apparatus, and in which the first and the second rotating parts, the electromagnetic coil and the power cutoff mechanism are disposed. The first rotating part is driven to rotate by power from the external drive source. The second rotating part is mounted on the rotary shaft for rotation therewith. The electromagnetic coil is energized by electric current from the power source to generate electromagnetic attraction force by which the first and the second rotating parts are connected for transmitting power therebetween. The power cutoff mechanism stops excessive power transmission from the external drive source to the driven apparatus when the electromagnetic coil is energized.