Abstract: The control circuit 131 causes drive frequency modification to be re-executed after returning the drive frequency to the prescribed drive frequency when the reduction rate of the power source voltage is higher than the standard reduction rate; specifically, when driving is being performed at a drive frequency whereby drive efficiency is poor and power consumption is high, or when the piezoelectric actuator A cannot start up for whatever reason. Therefore, since a startup failure or the like can be immediately determined based on the reduction rate of the power source voltage without a long time elapsing before the startup failure is detected, the time required for this determination can be shortened, the processing that is performed from the detection of an abnormality until optimization of the drive signal can be quickly executed, electrical power consumption can be reduced, and low-power operation can be ensured.

Abstract: In a freeze-concentrating apparatus, an aqueous solution is cooled by a cooling cylinder 22 serving as a heat exchanger for cooling to continuously produce a suspension containing ice crystals. A liquid component is separated and discharged from the suspension to increase the ratio of the ice crystals, and the ice crystals are grown to produce a column-shaped ice cake. The ice cake is cut into an ice pillar of a given length and a concentrated solution is taken out from the ice pillar.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aqueous solution of biocompounds containing peptide as a major component and a hydroxyapatite containing minerals and being useful an inorganic or organic composite material from tissue in an electrolytic cell by performing the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of the tissue and by taking advantage of an electrode reaction using suitable electrodes. In this case, a DC current is passed between the electrodes in the aqueous solution, thereby dissolving and crystallizing the tissue components. After unreacted matters are removed, the resultant mixed solution is separated into solid matters and a liquid. The aqueous solution of biocompounds is obtained from the filtrate, and the hydroxyapatite is obtained from the recrystallized solid matters.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding a core material such as a stick type cosmetic material includes an internal thread member having a spirally grooved inner surface and a push rod provided with a group of protrusions which engage with the spiral groove of the internal thread member; wherein the push rod is advanced or retracted by turning the internal thread member and the push rod engaged therewith relative to each other to feed the core material housed in a container to be slidably moved the push rod. Since the protrusions on the surface of the push rod can be of a simple shape, the push rod can be produced easily, and this effect manifests particularly in a comparison with the case where a thread must be formed on the push rod over the entire length thereof, requiring laborious thread machining or die making.