(JP10053657-A)      Treating outer/inner surfaces of a porous non-conductor comprises: (a) placing the porous non-conductor between a pair of electrodes, which are located opposite to each other and carry a dielectric layer on a surface facing the other electrode, so that the porous non-conductor is brought into contact with both dielectric layers without coming into contact with the electrodes; (b) applying an alternating current voltage having a frequency of 0.1 - 100 kHz between the electrodes to induce an electric discharge in voids contained in the porous non-conductor and sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. Also claimed are: (i) a process for manufacturing a separator for an alkaline battery, comprising placing a non-woven fabric between the electrodes; and (ii) a modified porous non-conductor, in which the ratio of the functional group-introducing efficiencies of exposed and unexposed surfaces is less than 1.    USE -   For use in alkaline batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrophilic, hydrophobic or adhesive properties may be imparted to the outer/inner surfaces of the porous non-conductor.    (US5792517-A)      Treating outer/inner surfaces of a porous non-conductor comprises: (a) placing the porous non-conductor between a pair of electrodes, which are located opposite to each other and carry a dielectric layer on a surface facing the other electrode, so that the porous non-conductor is brought into contact with both dielectric layers without coming into contact with the electrodes; (b) applying an alternating current voltage having a frequency of 0.1 - 100 kHz between the electrodes to induce an electric discharge in voids contained in the porous non-conductor and sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. Also claimed are: (i) a process for manufacturing a separator for an alkaline battery, comprising placing a non-woven fabric between the electrodes; and (ii) a modified porous non-conductor, in which the ratio of the functional group-introducing efficiencies of exposed and unexposed surfaces is less than 1.    USE -   For use in alkaline batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrophilic, hydrophobic or adhesive properties may be imparted to the outer/inner surfaces of the porous non-conductor.    (US5965250-A)      Treating outer/inner surfaces of a porous non-conductor comprises: (a) placing the porous non-conductor between a pair of electrodes, which are located opposite to each other and carry a dielectric layer on a surface facing the other electrode, so that the porous non-conductor is brought into contact with both dielectric layers without coming into contact with the electrodes; (b) applying an alternating current voltage having a frequency of 0.1 - 100 kHz between the electrodes to induce an electric discharge in voids contained in the porous non-conductor and sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. Also claimed are: (i) a process for manufacturing a separator for an alkaline battery, comprising placing a non-woven fabric between the electrodes; and (ii) a modified porous non-conductor, in which the ratio of the functional group-introducing efficiencies of exposed and unexposed surfaces is less than 1.    USE -   For use in alkaline batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrophilic, hydrophobic or adhesive properties may be imparted to the outer/inner surfaces of the porous non-conductor.