Abstract: An abrasive cloth which comprises an article in a sheet form having, in at least a part thereof, nanofibers comprising a thermoplastic polymer and having a number average single fiber fineness of 1×10?8 to 2×10?4 dtex wherein the sum of single fiber fineness percentages (which is defined in the specification) of a single fiber fineness of 1×10?8 to 2×10?4 dtex is the range of 60% or more, and exhibits a stress at 10% elongation in a longitudinal direction of 5 to 200 N/cm-width; and a method for preparing a nanofiber structure, which comprises providing a nanofiber dispersion having a dispersant and, dispersed therein, nanofibers comprising a thermoplastic polymer and having a number average diameter of 1 to 500 nm, attaching the dispersion to a support, and then removing said dispersant. The above abrasive cloth is excellent in texturing characteristics, and the above method allows the preparation of a nanofiber structure wherein nanofibers form a composite with the support.

Abstract: A carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic prepared by impregnating a matrix resin into a sheet-like base material includes discontinuous carbon fibers, wherein a content ratio of carbon fibers having lengths of 10 mm or longer in the base material is 60 wt % or more relative to a total amount of the carbon fibers, and an average value of orientation degrees of carbon fibers contained in the base material is 2-10.

Abstract: This invention provides compound solutions, emulsions and gels excellent in homogeneous dispersibility and long-term dispersion stability and also excellent in the properties as cosmetics, using disarranged nanofibers not limited in either form or polymer, widely applicable and small in the irregularity of single fiber diameter. This invention also provides a method for producing them. Furthermore, this invention provides synthetic papers composed of fibers, small in pore area and uniform in pore size, using disarranged nanofibers, and also provides a method for producing them. This invention provides compound solutions, emulsions, gels and synthetic papers containing disarranged nanofibers of 1 to 500 nm in number average diameter and 60% or more in the sum Pa of single fiber ratios.

Abstract: Provided is a recyclable light reflecting sheet which is excellent in light reflection characteristic regardless of being thin type and is contributing to weight reduction of a display. Provided is a light reflecting sheet comprising a sheet containing a single filament with a number mean diameter of 1 to 1000 nm, and having a light reflectance of 95% or more at a wavelength of 560 nm.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spongelike structure or a powder having fibers three-dimensionally arranged therein with high dispersibility, whose apparent density can be designed depending on the purpose or utility, as well as a process producing them. A fiber dispersion in which fibers having a number mean diameter in a predetermined range are dispersed in a dispersion medium, and this fiber dispersion is dried to remove the dispersion medium, thereby, a spongelike structure and a powder are produced.

Abstract: A medical filter material characterized by comprising a dispersion of nanofibers of thermoplastic polymer having a number average diameter of 1 to 500 nm wherein the ratio of single fibers with a diameter of more than 500 nm and 1 ?m or less is 3% or less in terms of weight ratio. Further, there are provided, utilizing the medical filter material, an extracorporeal circulation column and a blood filter. Through the employment of nanofibers small in fiber diameter dispersion, high in strength and high in productivity, there can be provided a medical filter material excellent in hemadsorption performance and protein adsorption performance. Through packing with this medical filter material, there can be provided high-performance extracorporeal circulation column and blood filter.

Abstract: An abrasive cloth which comprises an article in a sheet form having, in at least a part thereof, nanofibers comprising a thermoplastic polymer and having a number average single fiber fineness of 1×10?8 to 2×10?4 dtex wherein the sum of single fiber fineness percentages (which is defined in the specification) of a single fiber fineness of 1×10?8 to 2×10?4 dtex is the range of 60% or more, and exhibits a stress at 10% elongation in a longitudinal direction of 5 to 200 N/cm-width; and a method for preparing a nanofiber structure, which comprises providing a nanofiber dispersion having a dispersant and, dispersed therein, nanofibers comprising a thermoplastic polymer and having a number average diameter of 1 to 500 nm, attaching the dispersion to a support, and then removing said dispersant. The above abrasive cloth is excellent in texturing characteristics, and the above method allows the preparation of a nanofiber structure wherein nanofibers form a composite with the support.

Abstract: This invention provides compound solutions, emulsions and gels excellent in homogeneous dispersibility and long-term dispersion stability and also excellent in the properties as cosmetics, using disarranged nanofibers not limited in either form or polymer, widely applicable and small in the irregularity of single fiber diameter. This invention also provides a method for producing them. Furthermore, this invention provides synthetic papers composed of fibers, small in pore area and uniform in pore size, using disarranged nanofibers, and also provides a method for producing them. This invention provides compound solutions, emulsions, gels and synthetic papers containing disarranged nanofibers of 1 to 500 nm in number average diameter and 60% or more in the sum Pa of single fiber ratios.

Abstract: A polyester fiber comprises a hygroscopic polyester composition which contains 1 to 20 percent by weight of hygroscopic silica-based inorganic particles in which the average diameter, the specific surface area, the micropore volume, and the hygroscopic parameter ?MR are within specified ranges. This hygroscopic fiber is suitable for clothes which require comfortableness.

Abstract: A polyester fiber comprises a hygroscopic polyester composition which contains 1 to 20 percent by weight of hygroscopic silica-based inorganic particles in which the average diameter, the specific surface area, the micropore volume, and the hygroscopic parameter &Dgr;MR are within specified ranges. This hygroscopic fiber is suitable for clothes which require comfortableness.

Abstract: A micromachined pump apparatus 1 includes a substrate 2 having upper and lower surfaces and a plurality of lengthwise arranged apertures 2A-2E, each of which has an upper surface opening and a lower surface opening. A plurality of diaphragms 6A-6E close the upper surface openings of the apertures 2A-2E, respectively. A guide plate 3 is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 2 and defines a passage 3a through which an object fluid is moved by cooperating with the diaphragms on the upper surface of the substrate 2. A base plate 4 is fixedly mounted at its upper surface on the lower surface of the substrate 2, thereby enclosing an operating fluid in each of the apertures 2A-2E. An electrically operated heater device 5 is provided on the upper surface of the base plate 4 for heating the fluids in the apertures 2A-2E, respectively, in such a manner that whenever the fluids are heated the resultant expansion of the respective operating fluid expands the diaphragms, respectively, toward the passage.

Abstract: A maintenance of a suppression pool or spent fuel storage pool in a reactor primary containment vessel of a nuclear power plant includes a cleaning step of a water in the suppression pool and a decontamination step of an interior of the suppression pool, and in the maintenance, the coated film applied on an inner surface of a wall portion of the suppression pool is inspected. These cleaning, decontaminating and inspecting steps are performed by divers while maintaining a water level in the suppression pool.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor comprises an oscillator excited for oscillation in x-direction, a movable electrode disposed in opposing relationship with a stationary electrode along z-direction, and a movable electrode support for transmitting the oscillation of the oscillator in the z-direction to the movable electrode while interrupting the transmission of the oscillation in the x-direction, and is formed by a micromachining operation. The movable electrode support includes an oscillator support beam continuing from the oscillator and extending in y-direction, an electrode support beam continuing from the oscillator support beam and extending in the x-direction, and a connector stem extending in the x-direction form the electrode support beam and connected to the movable electrode at a position which represents the center of gravity of the movable electrode.

Abstract: An infrared-spectrum image processor mounted in a vehicle assists a driver in seeing under difficult conditions, such as rain, smog or fog. The device operates, in part, on the principle that infrared rays are "visible" at longer distances than are light rays falling within the visible spectrum, especially when adverse visual conditions exist. Also, different objects have different images when "viewed" in the infrared spectrum. Thus, even if an image is difficult to see in the visible spectrum, if the infrared spectrum is not disturbed, it may be possible to "see" the objects anyway. In operation, the processor analyzes a histogram derived from a taken image. If the histogram shows a distribution containing two peaks, the processor determines that there is an obscure image. For mounting on a vehicle an infrared camera is mounted on the vehicle roof. A dash-mounted display is provided for transmitting the processed images to the driver to facilitate decision-making while driving.

Abstract: Angular rate sensor comprises a x-direction oscillator, a x-oscillation driver, a z-oscillation sensing element for detecting an angular rate and an additional z-oscillation driver for triggering a free damped oscillation of the oscillator in the z-direction. An electric sensing circuit energizes the z-oscillation driver for triggering the free damped oscillation and detects the frequency of the free damped oscillation. The frequency is the resonant frequency of the oscillator. Thereafter the electric sensing circuit energizes the x-oscillation driver with the detected frequency for detecting the angular rate.

Abstract: In a mobile facsimile machine capable of sending and receiving messages through a transmitter and receiver, respectively, a first memory is provided for memorizing the identification of a sender when receiving signals. A second memory is provided for memorizing the position of the last signal received should communication be disconnected or disrupted during reception. A calling device automatically calls the sender using the identification in the first memory and sends the position of the signal at disruption from the second memory so the sender can retransmit from the point of disruption.

Abstract: A micropump is disclosed including an input port, an output port, a fluid channel space located therebetween, a first oscillating member for opening or closing between the fluid channel space and the input port, a second oscillating member for opening or closing between the fluid channel space and the output port, and at least one third oscillating member for reducing/enlarging the volume of the fluid channel space. The micropump is provided with pressure correcting means which applies a pressure, substantially equal to a fluid pressure at the input port, to a space located outside the fluid channel space and in which the first oscillating member oscillates.

Abstract: A micro-pump is disclosed for pneumatically causing a bulging/retracting motion of a plurality of micro-diaphragms disposed in an array along a channel through which a fluid is being driven. The pump includes channel means (10) including a first port (11), a second port (12) and a flow-through space (13) providing a communication therebetween; a plurality of diaphragms (21a-21e) disposed in an array along the flow-through space (13); diaphragm support means (20) including a plurality of actuating gas spaces (22a-22e) which opposes the rear surfaces of the respective diaphragms; a plurality of reciprocatory motion means for individually imparting an oscillation of pneumatic pressure to the respective actuating gas spaces (22a-22e), and drive means for driving the reciprocatory motion means for driving motion with phase differences therebetween so that the upper dead center shifts in the direction of the array.

Abstract: A blackened steel strip having improved blackness is produced in an efficient manner by anodizing a zinc alloy-plated steel strip in a solution containing 5 to 100 g/l of ClO.sub.3.sup.- and 10 to 300 g/l of SO.sub.4.sup.2- at pH 0.5 to 2.5 at a temperature of 30.degree. to 75.degree. C. and with a quantity of electricity of 10 to 300 C/dm.sup.2, and forming an acrylic resin chromate layer on the anodized steel strip to a thickness of 0.3 to 2.5 .mu.m. The solution may contain 5 to 100 g/l in total of at least one co-additive selected from Cl.sup.-, NO.sub.3.sup.-, H.sub.2 O.sub.2, Ni.sup.2+, Co.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, and Mn.sup.2+. The acrylic resin chromate layer contains 2 to 10 parts by weight of in the form of a chromate Cr per 100 parts by weight of acrylic resin.

Abstract: A surface-treated metal sheet which excels in workability, electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance has a metal sheet which has been plated as required, a chromate layer as a first layer formed on at least one side of the metal sheet, with a deposition amount of about 5 to 200 mg/m.sup.2 as calculated on the basis of Cr, and a second layer formed on the first layer from organic lubricant particles, with a deposition amount of from about 5 to 1000 mg/m.sup.2, such that the area coated by the organic lubricant particles to the entire area of the metal sheet surface is below about 50%. The second layer is preferably applied with a roll coater, a spin coater or a dip coater, a dispersion liquid or an emulsion containing about 0.1 to 40 wt. % of the organic lubricant particles so as to provide a wet film thickness of about 0.2 to 10 .mu.m.