Abstract: The problem addressed by the present invention is providing a technique for fabricating, by a method simpler than conventional methods, a silicon substrate that is effective for light trapping, one surface of which has a textured structure and the other surface of which has higher reflectivity than the surface having the textured structure. The fabrication method for this semiconductor substrate comprises: a sandblasting step in which a first surface of a silicon substrate in an as-sliced state, fabricated by slicing a silicon ingot, is surface treated by sandblasting and, after the sandblasting step, a step for carrying out surface treatment using an etching solution that contains either or both of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid on the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A combination switch which includes a lever member operable to move relative to a stationary portion, and a position detector for detecting a position of the lever member. The position detector includes a magnet and a Hall effect sensor for detecting a strength of a magnetic field of the magnet. The magnet and the Hall effect sensor are configured to have variable relative positions to each other when the lever member moves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material that is able to selectively inactivate a specific biologically harmful substance through photocatalysis, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photocatalytic material that can selectively inactivate a specific biologically harmful substance through photocatalysis, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus and a recording and reproducing method are proposed which can maintain a disk medium always in a state with a few fragmented files without forcing a burden upon a user. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a file transfer managing unit which detects a fragmented file from among files which are stored in a disk apparatus and moves the file using a data buffer such that the fragmented file will be defragmented, and during reproduction, when the file transfer managing unit detects fragmentation of a file to be reproduced, the file transfer managing unit automatically moves the file such that the fragmented file will be defragmented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface fastener wherein necessary engaging strength is maintained for a long term, the surface fastener is flexible and has a favorable touch without prickly feeling even when male engaging elements formed of fibers are employed, and strange peeling noise is not generated. The surface fastener includes at least a large number of male engaging elements planted on a foundation cloth which is a woven or knitted fabric or a non-woven fabric and is formed of fibers, the surface fastener being engaged with and disengaged from a mating surface fastener.

Abstract: A combination switch which includes a lever member operable to move relative to a stationary portion, and a position detector for detecting a position of the lever member. The position detector includes a magnet and a Hall effect sensor for detecting a strength of a magnetic field of the magnet. The magnet and the Hall effect sensor are configured to have variable relative positions to each other when the lever member moves.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument having simultaneous tone channels for generating a plurality of kinds of tones such as percussion tones upon a keyboard operation is disclosed. A memory (17b) stores inherent tone duration values of different kinds of tones to be generated in correspondence with a plurality of keys of a keyboard. A register group (32) for holding tone duration values in correspondence with a plurality of tone channels is arranged. The values held in the register group are decreased by a subtracter (33) along with an elapse of time. Upon a key-ON event, a detector (34) detects the minimum value of the tone duration values held in the register group. A channel corresponding to the register which holds the minimum value is assigned as a new tone channel, and the content of the register is updated with the fixed tone duration value stored in the memory. The updated register renews assignment of a tone channel in a tone source.