Abstract: Provided is a multilayer endless belt containing a base material layer having thereon an elastic layer in that order from an inner side of the multilayer endless belt, wherein in a width direction of the multilayer endless belt, an average thickness of both end regions of the base material layer is in the range of 120 to 150% with respect to an average thickness of a central region of the base material layer, and an average thickness of both end regions of the elastic layer is thinner than an average thickness of a central region of the elastic layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an intermediate transfer belt having at least a base layer and a surface layer formed in contact with a surface of the base layer, includes: irradiating a surface of the base layer with a laser such that Rz (in accordance with JIS-B0601-2001) is 0.2 ?m or more and equal to or less than a half of a film thickness of a surface layer to be formed; and forming a surface layer on the surface of the base layer irradiated with the laser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for improving peeling durability of a tubular article to be produced and properties thereof at the time of use while having high productivity in a method for producing a tubular article. The present invention relates to the method for producing a tubular article including: continuously coating at least two coating solutions for forming a polyimide resin layer to form a stacked coating film, the two coating solutions each including a solvent-soluble polyimide; and a solvent having a vapor pressure at 25° C. of 10 kPa or more and 19 kPa or less.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an intermediate transfer belt having at least a base layer and a surface layer formed in contact with a surface of the base layer, includes: irradiating a surface of the base layer with a laser such that Rz (in accordance with JIS-B0601-2001) is 0.2 ?m or more and equal to or less than a half of a film thickness of a surface layer to be formed; and forming a surface layer on the surface of the base layer irradiated with the laser.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an intermediate transfer belt to manufacture an intermediate transfer belt including at least a base material and a surface layer, includes: forming a surface layer by applying application liquid to an outer peripheral surface of the base material by using a plurality of nozzles while the base material is being rotated, the application liquid having a viscosity within a range of 0.5 to 10 mPa·s at 20° C., wherein, as for the nozzles used in the surface layer forming step, a flow rate per nozzle is set within a range of 3 to 10 mL/min, and a ratio value (m/L) between a nozzle inner diameter (m) and a center-to-center distance between nozzles (L) is set in a range of 0.05 to 0.10.

Abstract: The process of the present invention for producing an intermediate transfer belt is a process for producing an intermediate transfer belt of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The intermediate transfer belt has a surface layer composed of a cured resin on a substrate layer composed of polyphenylene sulfide resin. A coating film formed by coating a surface of the substrate layer with a curing composition containing a polymerizable component is irradiated with curing light including light with a specific wavelength emitted from an LED light source, to form the surface layer composed of the cured resin by polymerization of the polymerizable component.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprises an electrophotographic photoreceptor; an image forming section for forming a toner image on a surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor; an intermediate transfer member; a first transferring section for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor to a surface of the intermediate transfer member; and a second transferring section for transferring the toner image transferred on the surface the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium; wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises a surface layer forming the surface thereof and containing particles having a number average primary particle diameter of 1 to 300 nm and the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor has a hardness of 200 to 350 N/mm2 in universal hardness which is lower than the hardness in universal hardness of the surface of the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor to be used in an image forming apparatus having a charge providing means by contacting a charging member to an electrophotographic photoreceptor is disclosed. The photoreceptor has at least an interlayer, a charge generation layer and a charge transfer layer each provided on an electroconductive substrate, and the interlayer has a thickness of from 5 to 25 ?m and the charge transfer layer has a thickness of from 5 to 20 ?m. An image forming apparatus, image forming method and cartridge for the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical waveguide circuit comprising a plurality of first cores (203) arranged at intervals widening as they are away from the branch point or the joining point of optical signal, a clad (205) filling at least these first cores, and second cores (204) provided between the first cores and the clad and formed in the gap between the first cores in the vicinity of the branch point or the joining point while covering the first cores at least partially. Refractive index of the second core is larger than that of the clad, the boundary between the second core and the clad is smooth and the film thickness of the second core formed in the gap between the first cores is decreased as the interval of the plurality of first cores widens.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprises an electrophotographic photoreceptor; an image forming section for forming a toner image on a surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor; an intermediate transfer member; a first transferring section for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor to a surface of the intermediate transfer member; and a second transferring section for transferring the toner image transferred on the surface the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium; wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises a surface layer forming the surface thereof and containing particles having a number average primary particle diameter of 1 to 300 nm and the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor has a hardness of 200 to 350 N/mm2 in universal hardness which is lower than the hardness in universal hardness of the surface of the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An optical coupling device has an optical wave-guide varied in difference in specific refractive index between a clad layer and a core layer, and the optical wave-guide serves as a convergent/divergent spot size converter; since reduction in cross section of the core layer is not required for the convergent/divergent spot size converter so that the optical coupling device is produced at a high production yield.

Abstract: A microchip includes a clad layer having a channel through which a sample flows, and an optical waveguide formed within the clad layer and having a higher refractive index than the clad layer. The optical waveguide is formed to act on the channel optically. Thus, the sample flowing in the channel can be analyzed with high accuracy even in the microchip having a fine structure.

Abstract: An optical waveguide circuit comprising a plurality of first cores (203) arranged at intervals widening as they are away from the branch point or the joining point of optical signal, a clad (205) filling at least these first cores, and second cores (204) provided between the first cores and the clad and formed in the gap between the first cores in the vicinity of the branch point or the joining point while covering the first cores at least partially. Refractive index of the second core is larger than that of the clad, the boundary between the second core and the clad is smooth and the film thickness of the second core formed in the gap between the first cores is decreased as the interval of the plurality of first cores widens.

Abstract: A microchip includes a clad layer having a channel through which a sample flows, and an optical waveguide formed within the clad layer and having a higher refractive index than the clad layer. The optical waveguide is formed to act on the channel optically. Thus, the sample flowing in the channel can be analyzed with high accuracy even in the microchip having a fine structure.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a reactor core that allows a nuclear plant to continuously operate for a long term period, for example 15 years or longer, without requiring any fuel exchange, reduces the duration and number of maintenance steps involved in regular plant inspections, markedly improves plant availability and economic efficiency, and is effective in terms of nuclear nonproliferation. A plurality of fuel assemblies 103, themselves obtained by arranging fuel rods 100 and water rods 107 in square lattices, are arranged in a square lattice at a certain pitch. The blades 102a of a cross-shaped (cruciform) control rod 102 in a cross section are inserted into four adjacent spaces formed by four fuel assemblies 100 facing each other. A value of 0.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor to be used in an image forming apparatus having a charge providing means by contacting a charging member to an electrophotographic photoreceptor is disclosed. The photoreceptor has at least an interlayer, a charge generation layer and a charge transfer layer each provided on an electroconductive substrate, and the interlayer has a thickness of from 5 to 25 ?m and the charge transfer layer has a thickness of from 5 to 20 ?m. An image forming apparatus, image forming method and cartridge for the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a boiling water reactor nuclear power plant in which a reactor core support plate, upper grid plate, and a reactor core consisting of fuel assemblies supported by these plates are provided in the inner base portion of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. Control rod guide tubes and a reactor core shroud are positioned over the upper grid plate, and a control rod drive mechanism is provided further above same, whereby the control rods can be inserted from above the reactor core, and natural circulation of cooling water inside the reactor can be achieved by means of a chimney effect of the control rod guide tubes. According to the above structure, there can be provided a compact and economical nuclear power plant.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an optical waveguide, a core layer is formed on a clad layer, and a stepped portion in formed in the core layer. Then, a planar layer is formed on the core layer so that the planar layer completely covers the stepped portion of the core layer. Finally, the planar layer and the core layer are etched, so that the planar layer is completely removed and the core layer is converted into a tapered core layer.

Abstract: An optical coupling device has an optical wave-guide varied in difference in specific refractive index between a clad layer and a core layer, and the optical wave-guide serves as a convergent/divergent spot size converter; since reduction in cross section of the core layer is not required for the convergent/divergent spot size converter so that the optical coupling device is produced at a high production yield.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an optical waveguide, a core layer is formed on a clad layer, and a stepped portion in formed in the core layer. Then, a planar layer is formed on the core layer so that the planar layer completely covers the stepped portion of the core layer. Finally, the planar layer and the core layer are etched, so that the planar layer is completely removed and the core layer is converted into a tapered core layer.