The present invention provides alumina hydrate particles, a flame retardant and a resin composition that are each for an electric wire/cable covering material improvable in flame retardancy and mechanical properties while the covering material keeps acid resistance; such an electric wire/cable; and producing methods thereof. The alumina hydrate particles of the present invention for electric wire/cable covering material have an average particle size of 0.5 to 2.5 m, and having a primary particle variation R of 24% or less, the variation R being represented by the following expression: primary particle variation R=standard deviation (m) of major axis diameters of the primary particles/average value (m) of the major axis diameters of the primary particles100.

The present invention provides alumina hydrate particles, a flame retardant and a resin composition that are each for an electric wire/cable covering material improvable in flame retardancy and mechanical properties while the covering material keeps acid resistance; such an electric wire/cable; and producing methods thereof. The alumina hydrate particles of the present invention for electric wire/cable covering material have an average particle size of 0.5 to 2.5 m, and having a primary particle variation R of 24% or less, the variation R being represented by the following expression: primary particle variation R=standard deviation (m) of major axis diameters of the primary particles/average value (m) of the major axis diameters of the primary particles100.

This insulated wire includes an insulating coating formed on a surface of a conductive wire body, and a soldered portion for electric conduction. The soldered portion is formed by attaching dicarboxylic acid onto a surface of the insulating coating, and by performing solder plating in a state where the dicarboxylic acid is attached onto the surface of the insulating coating. In addition, this method for manufacturing an insulated wire includes a surface treatment step of attaching the dicarboxylic acid onto a surface of an insulating coating which becomes the soldered portion, and a soldering step of performing the solder plating by immersing the surface treated portion of the insulating coating in a heated solder melt.

This insulated wire includes an insulating coating formed on a surface of a conductive wire body, and a soldered portion for electric conduction. The soldered portion is formed by attaching dicarboxylic acid onto a surface of the insulating coating, and by performing solder plating in a state where the dicarboxylic acid is attached onto the surface of the insulating coating. In addition, this method for manufacturing an insulated wire includes a surface treatment step of attaching the dicarboxylic acid onto a surface of an insulating coating which becomes the soldered portion, and a soldering step of performing the solder plating by immersing the surface treated portion of the insulating coating in a heated solder melt.

Aspects relate to patterned nanostructures having a feature size not including film thickness below 5 microns. The patterned nanostructures are made up of nanoparticles having an average particle size less than 100 nm. A nanoparticle composition, which, in some cases, includes a binder material, is applied to a substrate. A patterned mold used in concert with electromagnetic radiation manipulate the nanoparticle composition in forming the patterned nanostructure. In some embodiments, the patterned mold nanoimprints a suitable pattern onto the nanoparticle composition and the composition is cured through UV or thermal energy. Three-dimensional patterned nanostructures may be formed. A number of patterned nanostructure layers may be prepared and joined together. In some cases, a patterned nanostructure may be formed as a layer that is releasable from the substrate upon which it is initially formed. Such releasable layers may be arranged to form a three-dimensional patterned nanostructure in accordance with suitable applications.

Aspects relate to patterned nanostructures having a feature size not including film thickness below 5 microns. The patterned nanostructures are made up of nanoparticles having an average particle size less than 100 nm. A nanoparticle composition, which, in some cases, includes a binder material, is applied to a substrate. A patterned mold used in concert with electromagnetic radiation manipulate the nanoparticle composition in forming the patterned nanostructure. In some embodiments, the patterned mold nanoimprints a suitable pattern onto the nanoparticle composition and the composition is cured through UV or thermal energy. Three-dimensional patterned nanostructures may be formed. A number of patterned nanostructure layers may be prepared and joined together. In some cases, a patterned nanostructure may be formed as a layer that is releasable from the substrate upon which it is initially formed. Such releasable layers may be arranged to form a three-dimensional patterned nanostructure in accordance with suitable applications.

A dielectric includes a composite oxide. The composite oxide has composition represented by Ce.sub.xAl.sub.1-xO.sub.k and is amorphous. In the composition represented by Ce.sub.xAl.sub.1-xO.sub.k, a requirement 0.400x<0.900 is satisfied. The symbol k is a value for maintaining electroneutrality of the composite oxide.

A dielectric includes a composite oxide. The composite oxide has composition represented by Ce.sub.xAl.sub.1-xO.sub.k and is amorphous. In the composition represented by Ce.sub.xAl.sub.1-xO.sub.k, a requirement 0.400x<0.900 is satisfied. The symbol k is a value for maintaining electroneutrality of the composite oxide.

A dielectric composition with high voltage resistance and favorable reliability, and an electronic component using the composition, the composition containing a tungsten bronze type composite oxide represented by chemical formula (Sr.sub.1.00(s+t)Ba.sub.sCa.sub.t).sub.6.00xR.sub.x(Ti.sub.1.00(a+d)Zr.sub.aSi.sub.d).sub.x2.00(Nb.sub.1.00bTa.sub.b).sub.8.00xO.sub.30.00, wherein R is at least one element selected from Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, and s, t, x, a, b, and d satisfy 0s1.00, 0t1.00, 0s+t1.00, 0x3.00, 0.01a0.98, 0b1.00, 0.02d0.15, and 0.03a+d1.00. At least one element selected from Mn, Mg, Co, V, W, Mo, Li, B, and Al are contained as a sub component in 0.10 mol or more and 20.00 mol or less with respect to 100 mol of the main component.

A flame-retardant flat electrical cable has a magnesium oxide dielectric layer. A plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel electrical conductors generally lie in the same plane and extend along the length of the cable. A dielectric layer is disposed on the top and/or bottom sides of the cable and covers the conductors. The dielectric layer has at least 90% magnesium oxide by weight.