The present invention relates to a process for cleaning a solid support of a fermentation reactor for the production of alcohols by fermentation using a sugary fluid, the solid support comprising a polyurethane foam inoculated with a biomass produced by a solvent-producing strain belonging to the genus Clostridium, the process comprising placing the solid support in contact with a fluid originating from the fermentation must enriched in alcohol and/or acetone and/or an aqueous solution at basic pH.

The present invention relates to a process for cleaning a solid support of a fermentation reactor for the production of alcohols by fermentation using a sugary fluid, the solid support comprising a polyurethane foam inoculated with a biomass produced by a solvent-producing strain belonging to the genus Clostridium, the process comprising placing the solid support in contact with a fluid originating from the fermentation must enriched in alcohol and/or acetone and/or an aqueous solution at basic pH.

A dust sequestering assembly for sequestering dust from a particulate food item includes a container that may contain a particulate food item. A sieve is positioned within the container and the sieve may have dust pass therethrough. Thus, the dust is sequestered with respect to the particulate food item.

Self-cleaning device and method using electrical oscillation and mechanical oscillation are disclosed. The self-cleaning device comprises at least one first electrode disposed on a solid material layer, a first dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode, a hydrophobic layer disposed on the first dielectric layer and at least one mechanical oscillation unit. Here, electrical oscillation for oscillating a droplet in a horizontal direction is generated by applying a first electric signal to the first electrode, thereby merging the droplets formed on the hydrophobic layer, and the mechanical oscillation unit moves the merged droplets in a specific direction or atomizes the merged droplets to remove the merged droplets by generating mechanical oscillation for oscillating the droplet in a vertical direction.

Self-cleaning device and method using electrical oscillation and mechanical oscillation are disclosed. The self-cleaning device comprises at least one first electrode disposed on a solid material layer, a first dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode, a hydrophobic layer disposed on the first dielectric layer and at least one mechanical oscillation unit. Here, electrical oscillation for oscillating a droplet in a horizontal direction is generated by applying a first electric signal to the first electrode, thereby merging the droplets formed on the hydrophobic layer, and the mechanical oscillation unit moves the merged droplets in a specific direction or atomizes the merged droplets to remove the merged droplets by generating mechanical oscillation for oscillating the droplet in a vertical direction.

The present invention provides a lead-free piezoelectric material having a high piezoelectric constant and a high mechanical quality factor in a wide operating temperature range. The piezoelectric material includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1):
(Ba.sub.1-xCa.sub.x).sub.a(Ti.sub.1-yZr.sub.y)O.sub.3 (1.00≦a≦1.01, 0.125≦x<0.155, and 0.041≦y≦0.074)
as a main component. The metal oxide contains Mn in a content of 0.12 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide on a metal basis.

The present invention provides a lead-free piezoelectric material having a high piezoelectric constant and a high mechanical quality factor in a wide operating temperature range. The piezoelectric material includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1):
(Ba.sub.1-xCa.sub.x).sub.a(Ti.sub.1-yZr.sub.y)O.sub.3 (1.00≦a≦1.01, 0.125≦x<0.155, and 0.041≦y≦0.074)
as a main component. The metal oxide contains Mn in a content of 0.12 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide on a metal basis.

A method of disinfecting a readout device having a reader unit that reads an imaging medium, the method comprising: identifying an absence of the imaging medium from the inside of the readout device; and emitting, from a disinfecting element, radiation capable of destroying disease carriers onto an the interior of the readout device when the imaging medium is absent from inside the readout device.

There is provided a signaling apparatus including a plurality of LED elements provided in a signal lamp body; a transparent panel provided in the LED elements and configured to transmit outgoing light from the LED elements on a rear side to a front surface to which snow adheres; a frame unit provided on an outer periphery of the panel; and vibration generators provided in the frame unit and configured to vibrate the panel.

There is provided a signaling apparatus including a plurality of LED elements provided in a signal lamp body; a transparent panel provided in the LED elements and configured to transmit outgoing light from the LED elements on a rear side to a front surface to which snow adheres; a frame unit provided on an outer periphery of the panel; and vibration generators provided in the frame unit and configured to vibrate the panel.