Abstract: An image forming device includes a head including a nozzle that discharges an electrically-conductive recording liquid in accordance with a driving signal; an intermediate transfer body on which the recording liquid discharged by the head is applied; a voltage apply unit that applies a voltage between the intermediate transfer body and the head, so as to decompose the electrically-conductive recording liquid by electrolysis; a transfer unit that transfers an image supported on the intermediate transfer body onto a recording material; and a discharging control unit that generates the driving signal that causes the electrically-conductive recording liquid to be discharged from the nozzle. The discharging control unit generates the driving signal so that a position of a meniscus is placed outside the nozzle during a time interval in which the recording liquid temporarily bridges between the head and the intermediate transfer body.

Abstract: To provide an ABA triblock copolymer containing: an A-block having, in a constitutional unit thereof, a monomer represented by the following general formula (1) or a monomer represented by the following general formula (2); and a B-block having, in a constitutional unit thereof, a hydrophilic monomer having a radical polymerizable unsaturated bond, where R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2 is a C5-C18 alkylene group; M is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent metal atom; and X1 is —NH— or an oxygen atom in the general formula (1), and where R11 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R12 is a C5-C18 alkylene group; R13 and R14 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group; and X11 is —NH— or an oxygen atom in the general formula (2).

Abstract: Using an intermediate transfer body onto which a conductive recording liquid containing water that is ejected by heads is provided; and a potential applying unit which applies a potential which can electrolyze the water within the conductive recording liquid which is ejected from the heads and which temporarily bridges between the heads and the intermediate transfer body, the potential applying unit applies a potential between the intermediate transfer body and electrodes which are in contact with the recording liquid in supplying units which supply the recording liquid to the heads.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a recording head having a nozzle capable of ejecting inductive ink including water, a first intermediate transfer body having a conductive surface on which an ink image is to be formed by temporarily forming a liquid-column bridge between the conductive surface and the nozzle, the liquid-column bridge being made of the inductive ink, a voltage application unit applying a voltage between the inductive ink and the conductive surface so that water included in the liquid-column bridge is electrolyzed, and a transfer unit transferring an ink image formed on the first intermediate transfer body to a recording medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a head configured to discharge an aqueous recording liquid onto a recording medium; and a coating unit configured to apply a process liquid onto the recording medium, wherein the process liquid is formed by emulsifying, by a first surfactant, water including a water-soluble polymer and a low polarity solvent which is not compatible with the water, wherein the water and the low polarity solvent are emulsified as a W/O emulsion in which the water is in a dispersed phase and the low polarity solvent is in a continuous phase.

Abstract: To provide an ABA triblock copolymer containing: an A-block having, in a constitutional unit thereof, a monomer represented by the following general formula (1) or a monomer represented by the following general formula (2); and a B-block having, in a constitutional unit thereof, a hydrophilic monomer having a radical polymerizable unsaturated bond, where R1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2 is a C5-C18 alkylene group; M is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent metal atom; and X1 is —NH— or an oxygen atom in the general formula (1), and where R11 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R12 is a C5-C18 alkylene group; R13 and R14 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group; and X11 is —NH— or an oxygen atom in the general formula (2).

Abstract: An image forming device includes a head including a nozzle that discharges an electrically-conductive recording liquid in accordance with a driving signal; an intermediate transfer body on which the recording liquid discharged by the head is applied; a voltage apply unit that applies a voltage between the intermediate transfer body and the head, so as to decompose the electrically-conductive recording liquid by electrolysis; a transfer unit that transfers an image supported on the intermediate transfer body onto a recording material; and a discharging control unit that generates the driving signal that causes the electrically-conductive recording liquid to be discharged from the nozzle. The discharging control unit generates the driving signal so that a position of a meniscus is placed outside the nozzle during a time interval in which the recording liquid temporarily bridges between the head and the intermediate transfer body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a voltage applying unit between a recording head and an intermediate transfer drum is capable of activating polyvalent metal ions inactivated in advance in jetted recording liquid without liquid activators independent of the recording liquid for sufficient flocculation on the drum. When the jetted recording liquid temporarily bridges the head and the drum, electrolysis of the recording liquid by the voltage applied instantly leads to generation of hydrogen ions on the drum, which triggers a sequence of reactions in the recording liquid of activation of polyvalent metal ions, cross-link between the activated polyvalent metal ions and anionic polymer, and increase in viscosity on the drum.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aqueous ink composition, including an aqueous solvent, a coloring agent dissolved or dispersed in the aqueous solvent, an ABA-type amphipathic polymer including a hydrophobic segment A and a hydrophilic segment B, and an anionic surfactant configured to dissolve or disperse the ABA-type amphipathic polymer in the aqueous solvent, wherein a viscosity of the aqueous ink composition is changed depending on a pH thereof.

Abstract: A head cleaning device includes an electrode disposed in a position confronting to a bottom of a head in a cleaning position, the head including nozzles for discharging a water-soluble ink, the electrode being set in a covered state to provide a surface covered with an electrolyte which, when electrolyzed, dissolves the water-soluble ink. A liquid supplying unit supplies the electrolyte to the electrode so that the electrode is set in the covered state. A voltage supplying unit supplies a voltage between the head and the electrode to electrolyze the electrolyte on the surface of the electrode in the covered state.

Abstract: A head cleaning device includes an electrode disposed in a position confronting to a bottom of a head in a cleaning position, the head including nozzles for discharging a water-soluble ink, the electrode being set in a covered state to provide a surface covered with an electrolyte which, when electrolyzed, dissolves the water-soluble ink. A liquid supplying unit supplies the electrolyte to the electrode so that the electrode is set in the covered state. A voltage supplying unit supplies a voltage between the head and the electrode to electrolyze the electrolyte on the surface of the electrode in the covered state.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a recording head having a nozzle capable of ejecting inductive ink including water, a first intermediate transfer body having a conductive surface on which an ink image is to be formed by temporarily forming a liquid-column bridge between the conductive surface and the nozzle, the liquid-column bridge being made of the inductive ink, a voltage application unit applying a voltage between the inductive ink and the conductive surface so that water included in the liquid-column bridge is electrolyzed, and a transfer unit transferring an ink image formed on the first intermediate transfer body to a recording medium.

Abstract: An anode is formed by a metal electrocatalyst including an element mixture made up of platinum and at least one of ruthenium and molybdenum as an active constituent which electrocatalyst is fabricated under vacuum using a vapor phase method, and in this way, the speed of electrode oxidation reaction of alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol may be substantially increased. Also, by using such an electrocatalyst as the anode, a direct alcohol fuel cell with a high output may be realized using alcohol that is not reformed as fuel.