Abstract: A method of inspecting a stack body of at least a porous layer and a dense layer comprises the first step of measuring the length of the stack body before the stack body is fired, the second step of measuring the length of the stack body after the stack body is fired, the third step of calculating a shrinkage rate of the stack body based on a first measured value from the first step and a second measured value from the second step, the fourth step of determining whether the calculated shrinkage rate of the stack body is acceptable or not based on the calculated shrinkage rate, the fifth step of calculating an S/N ratio of the stack body based on the first measured value and the second measured value, and the sixth step of determining whether the current-voltage characteristics of the stack body are acceptable or not based on the calculated S/N ratio.

Abstract: A free-standing membrane electrolyte electrode assembly (ESC) comprises an electrolyte, an anode electrode formed at one end face of the electrolyte, and a cathode electrode formed at the other. The electrolyte is a single crystal having a surface along with oxide ions move or a direction in which the ions move or a polycrystal oriented along a surface along which oxide ions move or in a direction in which the ions move. The surface or the direction is parallel to the thickness direction. The thickness of the electrolyte is 50 to 800 ?m, and the quotient of the division of the total thickness of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode by the thickness of the electrolyte is 0.1 or less. The thickness of the ESC is 1 mm or less.

Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly, a pair of separators sandwiching the MEA, and a buffer layer at least provided between the MEA and at least one of the separators. The buffer layer is made of porous body formed by melting inorganic powder. A buffer layer precursor contains the inorganic powder and an organic material, and the organic material is vaporized from the buffer layer precursor to obtain the buffer layer. The buffer layer fills clearance between projections of the separator and the anode or the cathode, and tightly contacts the projections of the separator and the anode or the cathode.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte is formed, and then a paste for forming an intermediate layer is applied thereto by printing, etc. The paste contains a mixed powder of a ceria-based oxide powder and a sintering aid powder containing at least one of Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn, preferably a nitrate salt thereof. It is preferred that the sintering aid content is 0.5 to 5 mol %, and the ratio of the mixed powder to the paste is 40% to 80% by weight. The paste is burned preferably at 800° C. to 1500° C., more preferably 1100° C. to 1350° C., to form the intermediate layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 3 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention is useful as endurance improving agents or antifatigue agents for physical activities in broad sense, such as exercises requiring endurance, labor requiring repeated muscle exercise, and the like. The present invention relates to endurance improving agents, antifatigue agents and AMPK activators, all of which contain catechins as an active ingredient.

Abstract: There are provided an endurance improver and an anti-fatigue agent for broadly-defined exercises including sports requiring endurance and labors requiring repeated muscle exertions. The present endurance improver and anti-fatigue agent contain diacylglycerol as an active ingredient.