Abstract: A method for producing an electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which comprises forming into a membrane a mixture of a perfluorocarbon polymer having sulfonic acid groups or their precursors and a fluorocarbon polymer which can be fibrillated, laminating a support membrane for stretching to at least one side of the resulting membrane, and stretching the resulting laminated membrane under heating.

Abstract: In a thermostat failure diagnosis apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which a failure diagnosis of a thermostat can be effectively made, in the case where, after starting of the engine, an intake air quantity of the engine or a parameter related to the intake air quantity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and a cooling water temperature is equal to or higher than an intake air temperature (outside air temperature), on the basis of a time in which a rising quantity in the cooling water temperature at an upstream side of the thermostat reaches a predetermined value, or a time in which the cooling water temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, the failure of the thermostat is judged.

Abstract: In a thermostat failure diagnosis apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which a failure diagnosis of a thermostat can be effectively made, in the case where, after starting of the engine, an intake air quantity of the engine or a parameter related to the intake air quantity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and a cooling water temperature is equal to or higher than an intake air temperature (outside air temperature), on the basis of a time in which a rising quantity in the cooling water temperature at an upstream side of the thermostat reaches a predetermined value, or a time in which the cooling water temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, the failure of the thermostat is judged.

Abstract: A fluororesin film, which has a dielectric constant of at most 5, and which has a tensile break strength of at least 40 MPa in each of MD direction and TD direction; a fluororesin film, wherein the ratio of the tensile break strength in each of MD and TD directions after stretching to the tensile break strength in each of MD and TD directions before stretching, is at least 1.5; and a fluororesin film, which has a tensile modulus of at least 3,000 MPa in each of MD and TD directions. The above-mentioned fluororesin films are obtained by using a method of biaxially stretching laminates of corresponding raw fabric films and readily stretchable films.

Abstract: An ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer film excellent in light transparency, which has a light transmittance of at least 90% at a wavelength of 300 nm when the film has a thickness of 25 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer film excellent in light transparency, which has a light transmittance of at least 90% at a wavelength of 300 nm when the film has a thickness of 25 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A fluororesin film, which has a dielectric constant of at most 5, and which has a tensile break strength of at least 40 MPa in each of MD direction and TD direction; a fluororesin film, wherein the ratio of the tensile break strength in each of MD and TD directions after stretching to the tensile break strength in each of MD and TD directions before stretching, is at least 1.5; and a fluororesin film, which has a tensile modulus of at least 3,000 MPa in each of MD and TD directions. The above-mentioned fluororesin films are obtained by using a method of biaxially stretching laminates of corresponding raw fabric films and readily stretchable films.

Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor comprising a positive electrode assembly and a negative electrode assembly, each electrode assembly having a porous layer comprising a carbonaceous powder and a fluorine-containing polymer formed on at least one side of an aluminum foil current collector, the positive electrode and the negative electrode being disposed so that the porous layer of the positive electrode assembly and the porous layer of the negative electrode assembly face each other with a separator interposed therebetween to form an element, the element being impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte and accommodated in a sealed container, wherein the thickness of the porous layer is from 80 to 200 &mgr;m, the thickness of the aluminum foil current collector is from 20 to 80 &mgr;m, the thickness of the separator is from 30 to 170 &mgr;m, and the density of the porous layer is from 0.50 to 0.80 g/cm3.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a cation exchange membrane made of a perfluorocarbon polymer having sulfonic acid groups as an electrolyte, wherein the cation exchange membrane has been stretched and has a larger surface area, preferably a 5-100% larger surface area, than it had before the stretching. According to the above, because the cation exchange membrane does not elongate or wrinkle even under great change in humidity, it is possible to provide a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell which has a high power output and excellent durability.

Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor including a positive electrode assembly and a negative electrode assembly, each electrode assembly having a porous layer including a carbonaceous powder and a fluorine-containing polymer formed on at least one side of an aluminum foil current collector, the positive electrode and the negative electrode being disposed so that the porous layer of the positive electrode assembly and the porous layer of the negative electrode assembly face each other with a separator interposed therebetween to form an element, the element being impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte and accommodated in a sealed container, wherein the thickness of the porous layer is from 80 to 200 &mgr;m, the thickness of the aluminum foil current collector is from 20 to 80 &mgr;m, the thickness of the separator is from 30 to 170 &mgr;m, and the density of the porous layer is from 0.50 to 0.80 g/cm3.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which comprises forming into a membrane a mixture of a perfluorocarbon polymer having sulfonic acid groups or their precursors and a fluorocarbon polymer which can be fibrillated, laminating a support membrane for stretching to at least one side of the resulting membrane, and stretching the resulting laminated membrane under heating.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for an electric double layer capacitor, including a current collector made of an aluminum foil, and an electrode including a carbonaceous material having a specific surface area of at least 500 m2/g and a binder, bonded on at least one side of the current collector, wherein the aluminum foil has a roughened layer having a thickness of from 0.5 to 5 &mgr;m on the surface of the side bonded to the electrode and has a breaking energy of at least 3 kg·mm with a dumbbell specimen of No. 1 form as stipulated in JIS K6301.

Abstract: A heterogeneous ion exchange membrane comprising an ion exchange resin and a binder polymer, wherein the binder polymer is a polymer containing at least a mixture comprising low density polyethylene and ethylene-propylene rubber or ethylene-propylene-diene rubber.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing cation exchange membrane for electrolysis, which comprises a first layer of a fluorine-containing polymer having cation exchange groups and reinforced with a porous base material and a second layer of a fluorine-containing polymer having carboxylic acid groups, present on the cathode side of the first layer, wherein at least 1/2 of the thickness of the porous base material protrudes from the first layer towards the anode side, the protrusions of the porous base material are covered with a coating layer of a fluorine-containing polymer having cation exchange groups so that the coating layer is integrated with the first layer, and the anode side surface of the coating layer has a roughness corresponding to the surface contour of the porous base material.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing cation exchange membrane for electrolysis, which comprises a multi-layered structure prepared by integrally laminating (i) the first ion exchange layer having --COOM groups (M is hydrogen or an alkali metal) in an ion exchange capacity of from 0.6 to 2.0 meq/g dry resin and having a thickness of from 5 to 300 .mu.m, (ii) the second ion exchange layer present on the anode side of the first ion exchange layer, the second ion exchange layer having a smaller specific resistance and a larger thickness than the first ion exchange layer, and (iii) a hydrophilic asymmetric porous layer present on the cathode side of the first ion exchange layer, the porous layer having a water-permeability which becomes smaller in proportion as closer to the cathode side, and a process for producing an alkali metal hydroxide by using the above fluorine-containing cation exchange membrane.

Abstract: An annular die for a lamination product comprises a center core portion 2, four circular-plate-like rings 1 arranged around the center core portion in the vertical direction so as to form a resin passage, which is communicated with a die lip 7, at the inner surface of the circular-plate-like rings, wherein openings for feeding resin are formed so as to open at the outer circumferential portions of mating surfaces 11 of the circular-plate-like rings; manifolds 5 are formed in either one of the mating surfaces of the rings so as to extend from the opening 4 in a spiral form, the depth of the manifolds being gradually decreased toward the inside of the mating surfaces; and a final resin-flowing area 51 is formed to communicate the manifolds 5 with the resin passage.