Abstract: A fluororesin heated at a temperature at or above the melting point of the resin is exposed in an inert gas atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of not more than 10 Torr to an ionizing radiation at a radiation dose of 0.1 kGy to 10 MGy to prepare a crosslinked fluororesin. The crosslinked fluororesin is exposed to an ionizing radiation at a radiation dose of 10 kGy to 5 MGy, and is then brought into contact with a functional group-containing organic compound to cause a graft reaction. By virtue of this constitution, a modified fluororesin is provided which has satisfactory mechanical strength and, at the same time, has, imparted thereto, for example, ion-exchange capacity, hydrophilicity, adhesive property, or abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A fluoroplastic-based product having reduced friction and improved abrasion resistance having excellent abrasion resistance as well as good characteristics being inherent to fluoroplastics comprises a fluoroplastic molded material containing a modified fluoroplastic prepared by applying ionizing radiation to a fluoroplastic (I) heated at the melting point or a higher temperature under an inert gas atmosphere having 10 torr or less oxygen concentration within a range of irradiation doses of from 1 KGy to 10 MGy; and an unmodified fluoroplastic (II).

Abstract: A photovoltaic device having a structure in which a transparent conductive film, a p-type amorphous silicon layer, an i-type amorphous silicon layer, an n-type microcrystalline silicon layer and a back electrode film are laminated on a transparent substrate so as to satisfy the conditions of 50 Å<dc1<da1×&agr;1  (1) and 0.124<&agr;1<0.130  (2), where da1 is the total thickness (Å) of the p-type amorphous silicon layer and i-type amorphous silicon layer, and dc1 is the thickness (Å) of the n-type microcrystalline silicon layer.

Abstract: A plurality of groups of integrated elements (30, 40) comprising a plurality of photovoltaic elements (2) electrically connected in series are provided on a substrate (1) having an insulating surface. The plurality groups of integrated elements (30, 40) are arranged in parallel by interposing a separating part (50). A rear surface member (4) is electrically connected with the plurality of the groups of integrated elements (30, 40) in series and is adhered to a rear surface side of the plurality of groups of integrated elements (30, 40) by interposing an adhesive layer (5) containing resin. The adhesive layer (5) is provided so as to cover a rear surface of the groups of integrated elements (30, 40) except for an area corresponding to the separating part (50).

Abstract: This invention manufactures a photovoltaic device by the following process steps: a step to form a first electrode layer and a light-active semiconductor layer on an insulating surface of the substrate; a step to form a transparent conducting film over most of the insulating surface including the light-active semiconductor layer; a step to establish a patterned transparent protective layer on the transparent conducting film over power generating regions; and a step to irradiate ultraviolet laser light over most of the substrate to remove exposed portions of the transparent conducting film not masked by the pattered transparent protective layer and form a transparent conducting layer corresponding to the pattered transparent protective layer. The patterned transparent protective layer serves a dual purpose as masking material for removing the specified areas of the transparent conducting film by ultraviolet laser and as a transparent protective layer.

Abstract: This invention provides a patterning method for a transparent electrode capable of preventing heat damages and insulation failure or the like even when a ZnO film is used. An ITO film 3 is formed on a transparent substrate 1 by sputtering and the ZnO film 4 is formed on the ITO film 3 by sputtering. Then, regions to be irradiated of the ITO film 3 and the ZnO film 4 are eliminated and patterned by Nd-YAG laser irradiation.

Abstract: A flame retardant resin composition for electrical insulation and sheathing of wire and cables which has enhanced oil resistance and excellent processing characteristics, comprising (a) 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin polymer, (b) 50 to 200 parts by weight of a metal hydroxide or hydrated metal salt, (c) 3 to 20 parts by weight of a polyolefin based polymer or oligomer grafted or copolymerized with a vinyl bearing species, where polyolefin based polymer (c) differs from polyolefin polymer (a), and (d) 1 to 10 parts by weight of a silicone compound.

Abstract: In processing an object to be processed by a laser beam, the laser beam is expanded by a beam expander and is introduced into a mask in which a light transmitted portion having a desired pattern is formed, the laser beam introduced into the mask is passed through the light transmitted portion having a desired pattern, to obtain a laser beam corresponding to the pattern of the light transmitted portion as well as having an approximately uniform energy distribution, the laser beam is formed and projected on the object to be processed by an image forming lens, and processing corresponding to the pattern of the light transmitted portion is performed on the object to be processed by the laser beam formed and projected. By this photoprocessing, a part of photoelectric converting elements in a photovoltaic device are removed to perform groove processing, or an amorphous semiconductor film is crystallized.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a three-dimensionally shaped photovoltaic device involves first forming a photovoltaic element on a flexible substrate, preferably while it is flat, and then deforming the substrate to achieve the three-dimensional shape. Preferably a crystalline photovoltaic conversion layer is first formed on the flat substrate, then the layer is cut or divided while leaving the substrate uncut to form a plurality of separate adjacent photovoltaic elements on the substrate, and finally the substrate is deformed into the three-dimensional shape. The cutting can be carried out by laser irradiation. The deforming can be carried out by providing a shape memory member as the substrate, or bonding a shape memory member onto the substrate, and then restoring the shape memory member to its previously memorized three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A method of removing a prescribed portion of a semiconductor film or a metal film involves irradiating the prescribed portion to be removed with a first energy beam, and then with a second energy beam. The energy densities and beam widths of the first and second energy beams are each separately controlled or selected to avoid damaging an underlayer under the film and to reduce or avoid deformation of a periphery around the removed portion.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a three-dimensionally shaped photovoltaic device involves first forming a photovoltaic element on a flexible substrate, preferably while it is flat, and then deforming the substrate to achieve the three-dimensional shape. Preferably a crystalline photovoltaic conversion layer is first formed on the flat substrate, then the layer is cut or divided while leaving the substrate uncut to form a plurality of separate adjacent photovoltaic elements on the substrate, and finally the substrate is deformed into the three-dimensional shape. The cutting can be carried out by laser irradiation. The deforming can be carried out by providing a shape memory member as the substrate, or bonding a shape memory member onto the substrate, and then restoring the shape memory member to its previously memorized three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: The body of a micromachine has a plurality of energy-power converting means for receiving different forms of energy including rays, microwaves and sound waves and converting the different forms of energy to electric power, i.e., photoelectromotive devices, a microwave-power converter and an acousto-electromotive device. The electric power obtained by these means is supplied to a drive system and an operation system incorporated in the machine body.

Abstract: In a method of modifying a transparent conductive oxide film and in a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device, a transparent conductive oxide film is irradiated with an energy beam for increasing the carrier concentration and thereby reducing the resistance of the transparent conductive oxide film.

Abstract: A flame retardant electrical insulating composition having an antifungal action comprises 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin, 50-300 parts by weight of a metal hydroxide, and at least 0.2 parts by weight of an amine compound. Also, a flame retardant electrical insulating composition having an antifungal action comprises 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer with a vinyl acetate content of at least 20 wt % or an ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer with an ethyl acrylate content of at least 20 wt %, 50-300 parts by weight of a metal hydroxide, at least 0.2 parts by weight of an amine compound, and at least 0.5 parts by weight of a hydroxyl group containing lubricant.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device, in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements comprising a first electrode layer, a semiconductive layer and a second electrode layer are laminatedly arranged on an insulative surface of a substrate and said photoelectric conversion elements are electrically connected in series with each other, comprising a step of dividedly arranging the first electrode layer on the surface of the substrate, a step of coating the semiconductive layer on the surface of the substrate including the upper surface of the divided first electrode layer, a step of coating the second electrode layer on the semiconductive layer, and a step of dividing the semiconductive layer and/or the second electrode layer in order to define each element by irradiating energy-beams on the semiconductive layer and/or the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A tubular suction member is provided which has a suction port at its bottom end and which reciprocates between a first position over a receiving plate and a second position over an open-top receptacle mounted on a rotatable platform. Manufactured slide fasteners or like articles are successively deposited onto the receiving plate and are carried away by the suction member to the second position, where each article is caused to drop into the receptacle. Cam means is provided for arresting the travel of the suction member from its first to second position, the cam means rotating through a preassigned angle during each complete reciprocation of the suction member from its second to first and back to second position, whereby the successive articles dropped into the receptacle are arranged in neat side-by-side relationship therein. The platform can be rotated 180.degree.