Abstract: An oxidizing catalytic converter is provided in an exhaust passage of a diesel engine. A catalyst is formed by coating a wash coat comprising platinum onto a substrate The converter is divided into a high temperature part through which high temperature exhaust is circulated and a low temperature part through which low temperature exhaust is circulated, and the platinum particle diameter of the catalyst in the low temperature part is arranged to be less than that in the high temperature part. It is preferable that the wash coat amount of the low temperature part is less than that of the high temperature part. It is moreover preferable that the platinum amount in the low temperature part is greater than that in the high temperature part. In this way, the soluble organic fraction, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are effectively and continuously purged from the exhaust.

Abstract: An HC adsorbent which adsorbs hydrocarbons in a predetermined low temperature region and discharges hydrocarbons in a temperature region higher than the lower temperature region is provided in an engine exhaust passage. A catalyst which oxidizes hydrocarbons in a predetermined high temperature region is provided downstream of the HC adsorbent. A heater for heating exhaust is provided upstream of the HC adsorbent. A control unit activates the heater when the exhaust temperature has risen to near the upper limit of the lower temperature region. Activation of the catalyst is thereby promoted, and the time until the catalyst starts oxidizing hydrocarbons discharged by the HC adsorbent is shortened.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonglaring mirror which is an electrochromic device in principle. The mirror comprises a transparent front substrate laid with a transparent first electrode film, a back substrate laid with a second electrode film which is opposite and spaced from the first electrode film, first and second electrochromic layers formed on the first and second electrode films, respectively, and an electrolyte liquid which fills up the space between the two substrates. A reflecting surface is provided by using a transparent sheet as the back substrate and coating the rear surface of the back substrate with a reflecting metal film, or by using a reflecting metal film as the second electrode film. One of the first and second electrochromic layers is formed of a polymer of a conjugated compound, such as substituted or unsubstituted triphenylamine, and the other is formed of a transition metal oxide such as WO.sub.3. In the initial state both the first and second electrochromic layers are colorless and transparent.

Abstract: A novel polymer of triphenylamine, which may be a homopolymer of 4,4',4"-triphenylamine units, a copolymer of 4,4',4"-triphenylamine units and 1,4-benzene units or a homopolymer of 4,4'-(4"-unsubstituted or 4"-alkyl or alkoxyl) triphenylamine. This polymer is prepared by first carrying out Grignard reaction between a halogenotriphenylamine and metallic magnesium and then polymerizing the obtained Grignard reagent in a nonreactive organic solvent by using a nickel compound catalyst. This polymer acquires high conductivity by doping with an electron accepting dopant, and the conductivity is stable in the atmosphere. This polymer is useful as an electrode material in a device using a liquid electrolyte and is advantageous in being stable to repetition of electrochemical oxidation and reduction.