Abstract: An optical device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The optical characteristics of the optical device are adjustable with a simple structure. An optical device has a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a polymer layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein the polymer layer deforms by application of a voltage and forms a light scatterer on a surface of the optical device.

Abstract: An optical device that can adjust the optical characteristics by a simple structure and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The optical device (10A) has a first electrode layer (12A), a second electrode layer (14A), a polymer layer (11) provided between the first electrode layer (12A) and the second electrode layer (14A), and a spacer layer (13A) positioned between the polymer layer and the second electrode layer to provide a prescribed space (17) between the polymer layer (11) and the second electrode layer (14A), the spacer layer being an electrical insulator, wherein the polymer layer (11) deforms into one or more light scatterers (15) in the prescribed space by applying voltage.

Abstract: A dielectric material for a polymeric actuator having a moveable part of the polymeric actuator driven by an electric field, the dielectric material containing a block copolymer (A) having a microphase-separated structure including a polymer block (B1) and a polymer block (B2), both of which are immiscible with each other. A main compositional unit in both of the polymer block (B1) and the polymer block (B2) is a (meth)acrylic ester unit, the polymer block (B1) having an alpha-dispersion temperature of 70° C. or more, and the polymer block (B2) having an alpha-dispersion temperature of 25° C. or less. The polymeric actuator provides the dielectric material between electrodes.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens, as well as a focal length adjusting device and an imaging device using the same. A variable focal length lens has a lens, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode. A second layer and a first layer constituting the lens are formed from polyvinyl chloride with which a plasticizer has been mixed. The hardness of these layers is adjusted by adjusting the mixing quantity, plasticizer type, etc. The second layer is formed so as so cover at least a light transmission region of the first layer. When a voltage is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the second layer and first layer are deformed to be pulled to the positive electrode, and thereby the curvature of the variable focal length lens is varied to vary the focal length.

Abstract: A focusing device of simple construction that is miniaturizable, and an imaging device utilizing the same, are provided. A focusing device (10) comprises an actuator (11), a lens holder (12) that holds lenses (13a) and (13b), and a holder support base (14) upon which the lens holder (12) is installed. The actuator (11) comprises a polymer layer (51), a positive electrode (52) that is formed upon the holder support base (14), and a negative electrode (53) that is formed upon the lens holder (12). When the applied voltage between the positive electrode (52) and the negative electrode (53) rises, the polymer layer (51) deforms radially outward along the positive electrode (52). Along with this deformation of the polymer layer (51), the actuator (11) moves the lens holder (12) along the optical axis.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a dielectric material for polymeric actuator, which has a high dielectric constant, low Young's modulus and excellent operation performance, which can be simply formed, and which has high production efficiency. It is also intended to provide a polymeric actuator which comprises the dielectric material and has excellent operation performance. The dielectric material for a polymeric actuator comprised of a moveable part of the polymeric actuator driven by an electric field comprising; a block copolymer (A) having a microphase-separated structure including a polymer block (B1) and a polymer block (B2) both of which are immiscible with each other, wherein a main compositional unit in both of the polymer block (B1) and the polymer block (B2) is a (meth)acrylic ester unit, the polymer block (B1) has an alpha-dispersion temperature of 70° C. or more, and the polymer block (B2) has an alpha-dispersion temperature of 25° C. or less.

Abstract: A focusing device of simple construction that is miniaturizable, and an imaging device utilizing the same, are provided. A focusing device (10) comprises an actuator (11), a lens holder (12) that holds lenses (13a) and (13b), and a holder support base (14) upon which the lens holder (12) is installed. The actuator (11) comprises a polymer layer (51), a positive electrode (52) that is formed upon the holder support base (14), and a negative electrode (53) that is formed upon the lens holder (12). When the applied voltage between the positive electrode (52) and the negative electrode (53) rises, the polymer layer (51) deforms radially outward along the positive electrode (52). Along with this deformation of the polymer layer (51), the actuator (11) moves the lens holder (12) along the optical axis.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor that can detect various types of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as acetone, propylene, and alcohols, an environmental contaminant, odor, and the like. The present invention is a sensor comprising a sensor element having at least two types or more of polymer films adsorbing a target substance, measurement means that measures the adsorption properties of the target substance adsorbed on the polymer films, and recognition means that performs multivariate analysis on the measured adsorption properties to recognize the target substance.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens having a simple structure and capable of being used for applications requiring small size is provided, as well as a focal length adjusting device and an imaging device using the same. A variable focal length lens 10 has a lens 11, a positive electrode 13, and a negative electrode 14. A second layer 11b and a first layer 11a constituting the lens 11 are formed from polyvinyl chloride with which a plasticizer has been mixed. The hardness of these layers is adjusted by adjusting the mixing quantity, plasticizer type, or etc. The second layer 11b is formed so as so cover at least a light transmission region of the first layer 11a. When a voltage is applied between the positive electrode 13 and the negative electrode 14, the second layer 11 b and first layer 11 a are deformed to be pulled to the positive electrode 13, and thereby the curvature of the variable focal length lens 10 is varied to vary the focal length.

Abstract: Methods and equipment are provided for making polybichlorophenyl non-toxic. Methods include a first oxidation step, in which polybichlorophenyl is burned, and a second oxidation step, in which exhaust gas from the first oxidation step is oxidized by contact with metallic phthalocyanines or metallic phthalocyanine derivatives and with an oxygen supply compound. Equipment includes a first furnace for burning a polybichlorophenyl-containing oil with an auxiliary fuel and a second oxidation reaction unit. The second oxidation reaction unit connects to the first furnace under seal, and includes metallic phthalocyanine or metallic phthalocyanine derivative solution supply source and an oxygen supply compound supply source.

Abstract: The actuator is capable of greatly deforming a flexible sheet member. The actuator comprises: a flexible sheet member being made of a polymer material; and a pair of electrodes being respectively provided on both faces of the sheet member, the electrodes being made of carbon nano fibers.

Abstract: The actuator is capable of greatly deforming a flexible sheet member. The actuator comprises: a flexible sheet member being made of a polymer material; and a pair of electrodes being respectively provided on both faces of the sheet member, the electrodes being made of carbon nano fibers.

Abstract: An equipment for making PCB nontoxic comprises: a first burn furnace 10 for burning an oil containing the PCB with auxiliary fuel: a second oxidation reaction unit 12, connecting to the first burn furnace 10 under sealing, comprising a supply source of a solution of metallic phthalocyanine derivatives and a supply source of the solution of the oxygen supply compound.

Abstract: A clinical-examination-numeral-data-processing system is constituted in which a plurality of laboratory observed values presented by items are transformed into positive and negative finite integers making observed values, including limitless values, the unit inside the interval of boundary values decided arbitrarily and they are ranked and processed according to the degree of importance on diagnosis, and it is made possible to perform transformation process for transforming a plurality of laboratory observed data presented by items being expressed by different units into the data being expressed with a comparable standardized unit, and to compose the transformed values of laboratory observed values to a list by examination items.

Abstract: A clinical-examination-numeral-data-processing system is constituted in which a plurality of laboratory observed values presented by items are transformed into positive and negative finite integers making observed values, including limitless values, the unit inside the interval of boundary values decided arbitrarily and they are ranked and processed according to the degree of importance on diagnosis, and it is made possible to perform transformation process for transforming a plurality of laboratory observed data presented by items being expressed by different units into the data being expressed with a comparable standardized unit, and to compose the transformed values of laboratory observed values to a list by examination items.

Abstract: In the vehicle provided with a device to automatically stop/start an engine, when a brake pedal depression amount decreases in a state where the engine has temporarily stopped, the engine is restarted to alert the driver. The brake pedal depression amount in this case is set to a level such that a braking force exceeds a creep force. This restarting of the engine encourages the driver to step on the brake pedal, and reinforces braking force. As a result, when the engine is restarted after temporarily stopping due to a command from a control unit regardless of the driver's intention, such as when the battery is being charged, there is less release of the brake pedal. In this way, moving-off of the vehicle regardless of the driver's intention can be prevented. When automatic stop conditions are satisfied, the engine 1 stops, and when start conditions are satisfied, an induction motor 2 for starting the vehicle is started to restart the engine 1.

Abstract: In the vehicle provided with a device to automatically stop/start an engine, when a brake pedal depression amount decreases in a state where the engine has temporarily stopped, the engine is restarted to alert the driver. The brake pedal depression amount in this case is set to a level such that a braking force exceeds a creep force. This restarting of the engine encourages the driver to step on the brake pedal, and reinforces braking force. As a result, when the engine is restarted after temporarily stopping due to a command from a control unit regardless of the driver's intention, such as when the battery is being charged, there is less release of the brake pedal. In this way, moving-off of the vehicle regardless of the driver's intention can be prevented.

Abstract: A connecting structure for a shielded cable having a braid is disclosed. The connecting structure includes a cable insertion hole, a hollow pressure member, a shield connection member, and a hollow bolt. The cable insertion hole includes a female threaded part and a shield connection part having an inclined surface. The hollow pressure member is inserted into the shield connection part of the cable insertion hole and the shielded cable passes through the hollow pressure member. The shield connection member is connected to the braid of the shielded cable and has an inclined part. The shield connection member is inserted into the cable insertion hole such that the inclined part is disposed between the inclined surface of the shield connection part and the hollow pressure member. The shielded cable passes through the hollow bolt and the hollow bolt is threaded into the female threaded part of the cable insertion hole.

Abstract: A polyurethane elastomer actuator comprising a polyurethane elastomer 1 capable of deforming due to the orientation by an electric field, wherein the shrinkage displacement occurring at the time of the application of an electric field is transformed into other displacement. This polyurethane elastomer actuator does not require electrolyte and high voltage. Since it is not accompanied by chemical reactions and heat generation, its durability hardly deteriorates. This actuator deforms largely during driving.

Abstract: The present invention provides suppressory compositions against hepatic metastases of tumors which comprise a phosphoric acid diester compound of the formula: ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each is the same as or different from the other and represents hydrogen or methyl) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.