Abstract: An exhaust system comprising a heat-resistant HC adsorbent comprising an MFI metallo-silicate including at least one of gallium (Ga) and indium (In) as a skeleton forming element, and a metal component ME including at least one of an alkali metal and an alkali earth metal in a content of ME≦0.05% by weight. Such an HC adsorbent has an excellent heat resistance.

Abstract: An HC adsorbent has an MFI-type metallo-silicate including at least one of gallium and indium as a framework forming element, and aluminum (Al) in the MFI-type metallo-silicate in a content of Al.ltoreq.0.05% by weight. Such an HC adsorbent has an excellent heat-resistance.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module having a high thermoelectric performance is shown and described. A flat thermoelectric module comprises a multi-layered body provided with a thermoelectric material layer having output take-out faces on two opposite sides, an electrode layer present on each output take-out faces, a metallic layer present on each electrode layer, and an electrical insulating outer layer covering the surface of the body. Adjacent layers are pressure-welded to be in close contact with each other. No solder is used in the construction of a module in accordance with the present invention, and it is therefore possible to improve the thermoelectric performance of the module by raising the operating temperature without being restricted by the melting point of solder.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control catalyst having an excellent NOx converting capability includes a modified alumina which has a .theta.-phase and an .alpha.-phase and has an .alpha.-conversion rate R in a range of 0.5 %.ltoreq.R.ltoreq.95 %, and a catalytic metal carried in the modified alumina, e.g., platinum (Pt). In addition, a catalyst including a catalyst material which is the above-described catalyst including the modified alumina and the catalytic metal, and an aluminosilicate or cerium oxide (CeO.sub.2), also has an excellent NOx converting capability.

Abstract: An NO.sub.x sensor is produced by sintering a plurality of columnar crystals of .beta.-type Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5. The average value M of aspect ratios b/a (wherein a represents a width and b represents a length) in the columnar crystals is set in a range of 2.11<M.ltoreq.5. The NO.sub.x sensor has a high sensitivity to NO.sub.x via an enhancement attained by control of crystal type and structure.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material which exhibits a high thermoelectric performance even at high temperatures is shown and described. A thermoelectric material is provided with a plurality of conductive layers made of a first semiconductor only and a plurality of barrier layers made of a second semiconductor only, which are alternatingly arranged, a diffusion-preventive layer being interposed between neighboring conductive layers and barrier layers. Diffusion between the conductive layers and the barrier layers under high-temperature conditions is prevented, and the thermoelectric material maintains high performance standards at high temperatures.

Abstract: An adsorbent exhibiting an excellent adsorption ability to nitrogen oxides (NO) is made from an oxide-based ceramics having an average crystallite grain size D in a range of D<500 .ANG., e.g., CeO.sub.2. A catalyst is formed from, for example, an cerium oxide (CeO.sub.2) and a zeolite. A content C of CeO.sub.2 in the catalyst is set in a range of 10% by weight .ltoreq.CA.ltoreq.80% by weight. The zeolite adsorbs hydrocarbon (HC). The hydrocarbon (HC) adsorbed is oxidized into active CHO which acts to reduce the nitrogen oxides (NO) adsorbed by the CeO.sub.2.

Abstract: An NOx sensor for an exhaust gas is made from .beta.-Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 as a primary component and TiO.sub.2 as a subsidiary component. The TiO.sub.2 content is in a range of 0.1% by weight .ltoreq.TiO.sub.2 .ltoreq. 20% by weight. In place of TiO.sub.2, Ru may be used in the NOx sensor. The Ru content is in a range of 0.1% by weight .ltoreq.Ru.ltoreq. 10% by weight. Thus, the NOx sensor has an excellent NOx adsorbing ability and is higher in sensitivity to NOx in an exhaust gas.

Abstract: A slide surface construction which is an inorganic skin film formed of an aggregate of Fe crystals having a body-centered cubic structure. The aggregate includes a large number of {222} oriented Fe crystals with their {222} planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface. At least some of these {222} oriented Fe crystals are hexangular pyramid-shaped Fe crystals having six ridge lines. These Fe crystals having six ridge lines ensure that the oil retention of the slide surface construction can be improved, and a slide load acting on the slide surface can be finely divided. The inorganic skin film may be formed by a plating process such as electrolytic plating, chemical vapor deposition, or sputtering. During plating the output of a plating energy source is controlled to produce a pulsed waveform.

Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of Ni crystals having a face-centered cubic structure. The aggregate includes {220} oriented Ni crystals with their {220} planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface and having a content S in a range represented by S<25%. If the content of the {220 } oriented Ni crystals is set in such a range, a large number of quadrangular Ni crystals are precipitated in the slide surface, so that the oil retention and the initial conformability are improved by the Ni crystals. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance.

Abstract: A slide surface construction which is an inorganic skin film formed of an aggregate of Fe crystals having a body-centered cubic structure. The aggregate includes a large number of {222} oriented Fe crystals with their {222} planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface. At least some of these {222} oriented Fe crystals are hexangular pyramid-shaped Fe crystals having six ridge lines. These Fe crystals having six ridge lines ensure that the oil retention of the slide surface construction can be improved, and a slide load acting on the slide surface can be finely divided.

Abstract: A slide member includes a surface layer of a Pb alloy on a slide surface for a mating member, and the crystal form of the Pb alloy is formed such that the orientation index in a (h00) plane by Miller indices is in a range of 50 to 100%.

Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of Fe crystals having a body-centered cubic structure. The aggregate includes {222} oriented Fe crystals with their {222} planes by Miller indices oriented toward a slide surface. The content S of the {222} oriented Fe crystals is in a range represented by S.gtoreq.20%, preferably in a range represented by S.gtoreq.40%. The {222} oriented Fe crystals form a trigonal pyramid shape on the slide surface, which provides good oil retention for the slide surface construction. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance.

Abstract: A slide member includes a surface layer having a slide surface for sliding on a mating member, wherein the surface layer has metal crystals belonging to a cubic system with a crystal plane of high atomic density directed toward the slide surface and form the slide surface.

Abstract: A slide member includes a surface layer having a slide surface for sliding on a mating member, wherein the surface layer has metal crystals belonging to a cubic system with a crystal plane of high atomic density directed toward the slide surface and form the slide surface.

Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of Fe crystals having a body-centered cubic structure. The aggregate includes at least one of two types of metal crystals selected from the group consisting of (1) (h00) oriented metal crystals with their (h00) planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface and having a content S in a range represented by S<25%, and (2) (3hh0) oriented metal crystals with their (3hh0) planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward the slide surface and having a content S in a range represented by S<25%. If both the types of the oriented Fe crystals are present, a large number of trigonal pyramid-shaped Fe crystals are precipitated in the slide surface, thereby providing improved oil retention and initial conformability. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance.

Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of Fe crystals having a body-centered cubic structure. The aggregate includes (3hh0) oriented metal crystals with their (3hh0) planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface. The content S of said (3hh0) oriented metal crystals is set in a range represented by S.gtoreq.40%. This makes it possible to provide a slide surface construction which has a predetermined hardness and an excellent wear resistance and ensures that the wearing of a mating member having a lower hardness can be suppressed.

Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of Ni crystals having a face-centered cubic structure. The aggregate includes {311} oriented Ni crystals with their {311} planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface. The content S of the {311} oriented Ni crystals is set in a range represented by S.gtoreq.40%. The {311} oriented Ni crystals are of a quadrangular pyramid shape on the slide surface, and provide good oil retention for the slide surface construction. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance.

Abstract: A slide member includes a surface layer having a slide surface for a mating member. The surface layer is formed of metal crystals belonging to a cubic system with a plane of (h00) by Miller indices directed so as to form the slide surface. The percent area A of the (h00) plane in the slide surface is set in a range of A.gtoreq.50%.

Abstract: A slide member includes a surface layer having a slide surface for sliding on a mating member, wherein the surface layer has metal crystals belonging to a cubic system with a crystal plane of high atomic density directed toward the slide surface and form the slide surface.