Abstract: An electret includes an electret layer. The electret layer is formed by subjecting a composite film in which inorganic dielectric particles are dispersed and held in a base film to a polarization treatment. The inorganic dielectric particles are mainly composed of an inorganic dielectric material having a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more.

Abstract: An electret includes a substrate and an electret layer formed above a surface of the substrate. The electret layer is a composite metal compound containing two or more different metal elements, and is obtained by subjecting a thin film mainly composed of an inorganic dielectric material having a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more to a polarization treatment.

Abstract: A transparent heater includes: a substrate that is transparent to a visible light and has one surface; and a conductive layer that is disposed on the one surface, is transparent to the visible light, and contains an aggregate of carbon nanotubes. The conductive layer includes: a patterned portion that includes a linear portion linearly extending in a first direction parallel to the one surface; and a non-patterned portion that is a film-shaped portion connecting to the patterned portion in a second direction parallel to the one surface and orthogonal to the first direction, and has a thickness smaller than that of the patterned portion in a third direction orthogonal to the one surface. The non-patterned portion has an orientation direction of the carbon nanotubes defining less than 45 degrees with respect to the second direction, the orientation direction being measure by an orientation evaluation method.

Abstract: An electret includes a composite oxide having an ABO3 type perovskite structure containing two different metal elements A and B. The composite oxide is in a polarized state, at least a part of one of the metal elements A and B is substituted with a dopant element having a lower valence than the one of the metal elements A and B, and the composite oxide has a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more.

Abstract: A power generator includes an electret including a first charged surface and a second charged surface having opposite polarities, a first electrode partially formed on the first charged surface, a second electrode formed on the second charged surface, a third electrode disposed to face the first charged surface with a space, and at least one of a power storage unit or an output unit. The first charged surface has a current collecting surface that is exposed outward. The first electrode and the second electrode form a first power generating unit and the third electrode and the second electrode form a second power generating unit. The electret is formed by polarizing an electret material that includes an inorganic dielectric having a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more.

Abstract: A power generator includes a power generating unit and at least one of a power storage unit or an output unit that is electrically connected to the power generating unit. The power generating unit includes an electret having a first charged surface and a second charged surface that are charged with opposite polarities, a first electrode formed on the first charged surface, and a second electrode formed on the second charged surface. The electret is formed by polarizing an electret material that includes an inorganic dielectric having a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more. At least one of the first electrode or the second electrode are partially disposed on the corresponding charged surface such that at least one of the first charged surface or the second charged surface has a portion as a current collecting surface exposed outward.

Abstract: An electret includes a substrate and an electret layer formed above a surface of the substrate. The electret layer is a composite metal compound containing two or more different metal elements, and is obtained by subjecting a thin film mainly composed of an inorganic dielectric material having a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more to a polarization treatment.

Abstract: An electret includes an electret layer. The electret layer is formed by subjecting a composite film in which inorganic dielectric particles are dispersed and held in a base film to a polarization treatment. The inorganic dielectric particles are mainly composed of an inorganic dielectric material having a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more.

Abstract: An electret includes a composite oxide having an ABO3 type perovskite structure containing two different metal elements A and B. The composite oxide is in a polarized state, at least a part of one of the metal elements A and B is substituted with a dopant element having a lower valence than the one of the metal elements A and B, and the composite oxide has a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more.

Abstract: Provided is a method for generating hydrogen. The method comprising (a) preparing a hydrogen generation device comprising a container, a photo-semiconductor electrode comprising a substrate, a light-blocking first conductive layer, and a first semiconductor photocatalyst layer, a counter electrode, a conductive wire for electrically connecting the first conductive layer to the counter electrode, and a liquid stored in the container, and (b) irradiating the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer with light to generate hydrogen on the counter electrode. The first conductive layer is interposed between the substrate and the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer. At least a part of the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer is in contact with the liquid. At least a part of the counter electrode is in contact with the liquid. The liquid is selected from the group consisting of an electrolyte aqueous solution and water. The substrate is formed of a resin.

Abstract: In a hydrogen producing device, an electrolyte flow path between a plurality of hydrogen producing cells is disposed in a hydrogen production side and in an oxygen production side, separately. Further, an electrolyte flow path is formed through which the electrolyte flows downward from the top between the plurality of hydrogen producing cells, and on the other hand the electrolyte flows upward from the bottom within each hydrogen producing cell. Moreover, a contact point with a produced gas or an atmosphere is provided in a pathway of the electrolyte flow path.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor photoelectrode comprising a first conductive layer; a first n-type semiconductor layer disposed on the first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer covering the first n-type semiconductor layer. The first n-type semiconductor layer has a first n-type surface region and a second n-type surface region. The first n-type surface region is in contact with the first conductive layer. The second n-type surface region is in contact with the second conductive layer. The first n-type semiconductor layer is formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitride semiconductor and an oxynitride semiconductor. The second conductive layer is light-transmissive. The second conductive layer is formed of a p-type oxide conductor.

Abstract: Provided is a method for generating hydrogen. The method comprising (a) preparing a hydrogen generation device comprising a container, a photo-semiconductor electrode comprising a substrate, a light-blocking first conductive layer, and a first semiconductor photocatalyst layer, a counter electrode, a conductive wire for electrically connecting the first conductive layer to the counter electrode, and a liquid stored in the container, and (b) irradiating the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer with light to generate hydrogen on the counter electrode. The first conductive layer is interposed between the substrate and the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer. At least a part of the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer is in contact with the liquid. At least a part of the counter electrode is in contact with the liquid. The liquid is selected from the group consisting of an electrolyte aqueous solution and water. The substrate is formed of a resin.

Abstract: A photosemiconductor electrode (400) of the present invention includes a conductor (410) and a photosemiconductor layer (first semiconductor layer) (420) provided on the conductor (410). The photosemiconductor layer (420) includes a photosemiconductor (e.g., a photosemiconductor film (421)) and an oxide containing iridium element (e.g., iridium oxide (422)). The Fermi level of the oxide containing iridium element is more negative than the Fermi level of the photosemiconductor and is more negative than ?4.44 eV, with respect to the vacuum level.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor photoelectrode comprising a first conductive layer; a first n-type semiconductor layer disposed on the first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer covering the first n-type semiconductor layer. The first n-type semiconductor layer has a first n-type surface region and a second n-type surface region. The first n-type surface region is in contact with the first conductive layer. The second n-type surface region is in contact with the second conductive layer. The first n-type semiconductor layer is formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitride semiconductor and an oxynitride semiconductor. The second conductive layer is light-transmissive. The second conductive layer is formed of a p-type oxide conductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photoelectrochemical cell. The photoelectrochemical cell comprises a semiconductor photoelectrode which functions as a cathode electrode; a counter electrode which functions as an anode electrode; an electrolyte aqueous solution which is in contact with surfaces of the semiconductor photoelectrode and the counter electrode; and a container containing the semiconductor photoelectrode, the counter electrode, and the electrolyte aqueous solution. The semiconductor photoelectrode includes: a first conductive layer; an n-type semiconductor layer disposed on the first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer which completely covers a surface of the n-type semiconductor layer. The counter electrode is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is light-transmissive. The second conductive layer functions as a light incident surface.

Abstract: In a hydrogen producing device, an electrolyte flow path between a plurality of hydrogen producing cells is disposed in a hydrogen production side and in an oxygen production side, separately. Further, an electrolyte flow path is formed through which the electrolyte flows downward from the top between the plurality of hydrogen producing cells, and on the other hand the electrolyte flows upward from the bottom within each hydrogen producing cell. Moreover, a contact point with a produced gas or an atmosphere is provided in a pathway of the electrolyte flow path.

Abstract: A focus control device includes a moving member integral with an object lens, a focus actuator for moving the object lens toward or away from a recording surface of an optical disc in a direction of focusing, a tracking actuator for moving the object lens in a direction of tracking, and a control unit for biasing the moving member in the direction of tracking so that the moving member is pressed against a fixed member by using the tracking actuator, and for enabling the moving member to carry out a focusing operation while the moving member is pressed against the fixed member by using the focus actuator. Thus the focus control device can surely carry out a focusing operation without being under the influence of turbulence vibrations or the like that may be generated.