A thermoelectric conversion element includes a thermoelectric conversion material portion having a compound semiconductor composed of first base material element A and second base material element B and represented by A.sub.x-cB.sub.y with value of x being smaller by c with respect to a compound A.sub.xB.sub.y according to a stoichiometric ratio, a first electrode disposed in contact with the thermoelectric conversion material portion, and a second electrode disposed in contact with the thermoelectric conversion material portion and apart from the first electrode. An A-B phase diagram includes a first region corresponding to low temperature phase, second region corresponding to high temperature phase, and third region corresponding to coexisting phase, sandwiched between the low temperature phase and the high temperature phase, in which the low and high temperature phases coexist. A temperature at a boundary between the first region and the third region changes monotonically with a change in c.

The present invention relates to a broad-spectrum biocidal composition, with fungicidal and bactericidal activity, containing metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, polymeric thickeners, plant extracts, surfactants, and additives in an aqueous solvent, as well as the method for in situ production of said metal nanoparticles under controlled operating conditions: concentration, volumetric ratio, time, agitation, temperature, and pH, using plant extracts as reducing agents.

A method for preparing a meso crystal of silver oxide containing silver peroxide is provided. A quantum crystal of silver thiosulfate complex on a substrate or a particle made of copper metal or copper alloy is subjected to treating by an alkaline aqueous solution containing halogen ion to obtain a meso crystal of silver oxide containing the silver peroxide. The meso crystal of silver oxide having nanometer scale, containing a silver peroxide, the silver oxide nanocrystal being a superstructure three-dimensionally arranged in the shape of a neuron provided with properties being negatively charged in water and able to be reduced to a silver nanoparticle by a laser radiation.

A method for preparing a meso crystal of silver oxide containing silver peroxide is provided. A quantum crystal of silver thiosulfate complex on a substrate or a particle made of copper metal or copper alloy is subjected to treating by an alkaline aqueous solution containing halogen ion to obtain a meso crystal of silver oxide containing the silver peroxide. The meso crystal of silver oxide having nanometer scale, containing a silver peroxide, the silver oxide nanocrystal being a superstructure three-dimensionally arranged in the shape of a neuron provided with properties being negatively charged in water and able to be reduced to a silver nanoparticle by a laser radiation.

Disclosed is a method for processing ash, particularly fly ash, in which method several elements are separated from the ash. In the method both noble metals and rare earth elements are separated.

Disclosed is a method for processing ash, particularly fly ash, in which method several elements are separated from the ash. In the method both noble metals and rare earth elements are separated.

A thermoelectric conversion material is represented by a composition formula Ag.sub.2S.sub.(1-x)Se.sub.x. The value of x is not smaller than 0.2 and not greater than 0.95.

A high performance, lead free, Ag paste thermal interface material (TIM) for die attachment and substrate bonding in electronic packaging includes: (i) multiscale silver particles, (ii) metal-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs), (iii) a polymer, and (iv) a liquid carrier. The multiscale silver particles and metal-coated carbon nanotubes, which function as hybrid filler components, are uniformly dispersed within the TIM composition. The sintered TIM exhibits high density, high mechanical strength, and high thermal conductivity. The components of the liquid carrier including the solvent, binder, surfactants, and thinner are completely evaporated or burned off during sintering. Sintering of the TIM can be conducted at a relatively low temperature, without or with very low (<0.1 MPa) pressure, in open air and without vacuum or inert gas protection. The TIM can be utilized in substrate bonding not only on conventional metal-plated surfaces but also bare Cu substrate surfaces.

A high performance, lead free, Ag paste thermal interface material (TIM) for die attachment and substrate bonding in electronic packaging includes: (i) multiscale silver particles, (ii) metal-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs), (iii) a polymer, and (iv) a liquid carrier. The multiscale silver particles and metal-coated carbon nanotubes, which function as hybrid filler components, are uniformly dispersed within the TIM composition. The sintered TIM exhibits high density, high mechanical strength, and high thermal conductivity. The components of the liquid carrier including the solvent, binder, surfactants, and thinner are completely evaporated or burned off during sintering. Sintering of the TIM can be conducted at a relatively low temperature, without or with very low (<0.1 MPa) pressure, in open air and without vacuum or inert gas protection. The TIM can be utilized in substrate bonding not only on conventional metal-plated surfaces but also bare Cu substrate surfaces.

The present disclosure describes an imaging composition including porous silicon microparticles, and more particularly, to a biological tissue imaging composition including a composite in which oxidized porous silicon microparticles and silver nanoparticles are combined. Since a biological tissue imaging agent of the present invention, which includes a composite of oxidized porous silicon microparticles and silver nanoparticles, continuously provides an image signal without spreading in the body as compared to conventional imaging agents, it is possible to increase surgical stability by accurately identifying target tissues in vivo in an affected area.