Abstract: A method for producing platform molecules comprising: forming a mixture comprising first and second phenylene rings comprising halogenated carboxylic groups, and a third phenylene ring comprising a desired substituent and a first functionality at a para-position to a second funcitonality; and exposing the mixture to conditions effective to react the first halogenated carboxylic group with the first functionality to produce a first ester bond, and the second halogenated carboxylic group with the second functionality to produce a second ester bond; producing platform molecules comprising terminal groups comprising the first functional group at a position para to first ester bond and the second functional group at a position para to the second ester bond.

Abstract: A method for generating a 3-dimensional effect involves providing at least one first image layer of a chiral liquid crystal material, and at least one second image layer of a chiral liquid crystal material, wherein one of the first and second image layers reflects right-handed circularly polarised light and the other reflects left-handed circularly polarised light, is suitable creating a 3-dimensional image that can be used for decorative and security applications.

Abstract: Optical recording material which is capable of recording and reading an information signal by utilizing a change in the double refraction caused by a change in the molecular orientation of a side-chain type polymer liquid crystal which has an electrocyclic-reaction-type photochromic compound (or a residue thereof), or a side-chain polymer liquid crystal having in a polymer chain thereof a monomeric unit to which the photochromic compound is bonded.

Abstract: An optical recording material which when exposed to actinic radiation produces a change in optical properties in the exposed regions, thereby providing a pattern of intelligence for storing and retrieving information, the recording material having: a) a polymer containing a covalently bound reactant moiety which is capable of undergoing a chemical transformation upon a one electron oxidation, thus causing the change in optical properties in the exposed regions; and b) a sensitizer capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause an initial one electron oxidation of the reactant.

Abstract: An anisotropic polymer film comprising a polymeriZed chiral liquid crystal material with helically twisted structure and having areas with different helical twist sense is useful for decorative or security applications.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a varnish composition which can achieve totally and with good balance the improvement in various properties including electrical properties such as residual charge, a voltage holding ratio and image sticking, a pre-tilt angle, coating property, alignment property, and so on, which are desired for a liquid crystal aligning film formed. The varnish composition comprises polymer ingredients containing polyamic acid B represented by formula (1), polyamic acid A represented by formula (2) having a side chain of not less than 3 carbon atoms and N-substituted polyamide represented by formula (3), and a solvent for dissolving the polymer ingredients. The varnish composition contains 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display element having an adequate pre-tilt angle for preventing the reverse domain, as well as excellent electrical properties by preparation of the polyamic acid composition for the liquid crystal display element comprises a polyamic acid A that excels in electrical properties and a polyamic acid B that has side chains, mixed in the ratio A/B of 50/50 to 95/5 (by weight).

Abstract: A A compound having formula (2) wherein A2 is an electron acceptor moiety; C2 is a conjugated bridging moiety; D2 is an electron donor moiety; S2 is a hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic moiety, or a hetero-acyclic moiety; a? is an integer; Z2 is a polymerizable moiety; and e? is the degree of polymerization.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds of formula I wherein M1, M2 and M3 have the meanings recited in the disclosure, liquid crystalline mixtures and polymers containing them, and the use of the compounds of formula I, the liquid crystalline mixtures and the polymers containing them in optical and electrooptical devices like liquid crystal displays or projection systems, patterned films and optical elements like polarizers, retardation films, compensators, color filters, holographic elements or polarization beam splitters, for photoswitching, in anisotropic membranes for the permeation of gases or fluids, adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions, UV absorbers and sunscreens, diagnostics or liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, in nonlinear optics, optical information storage or as dopants.

Abstract: Functionalized cubic gel precursors, functionalized cubic liquid crystalline gels, dispersions of functionalized cubic gel particles and functionalized cubic gel particles are disclosed. Methods for preparing and using the precursors, gels, dispersions, and particles are also disclosed. The precursors, gels, dispersions, and particles are used to deliver active ingredients to substrates.

Abstract: A mesomorphic compound having an ionic conductivity is used as an electrolyte for a secondary battery, etc. The mesomorphic compound has a partial structure which includes (a) a mesomorphic mesogen group and (b) two divalent groups. Each of the two divalent groups is directly connected to the mesogen group, and each of the two divalent groups is represented by the following formula: (OCH2CH2)x or (OCH2CH(CH3))y in which x and y are respectively an integer of 3 to 25. The mesomorphic compound may be a polymeric mesomorphic compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical recording medium comprising a recording layer. The recording layer contains: a charge generation material generating an electron and a hole by light irradiation; a charge transport material transporting one of the electron and the hole; a charge trap which traps the transported one of the electron and the hole to separate the electron and the hole; and a non-linear optical material which changes optical properties of the recording layer in accordance with electric field formed by the electron and the hole being separated from each other. The non-linear optical material has an asymmetrical carbon atom and a cyclic group. Or, it is a cyclic-group-containing constituent having: an inversion symmetric pi-electron system; at least one of an electron donating group and an electron accepting group which are bonded to the inversion symmetric ?-electron system; and an asymmetrical carbon atom.

Abstract: The invention relates to new reactive mesogenic benzodithiophene derivatives, their use as semiconductors or charge transport materials, in optical, electro-optical or electronic devices like for example liquid crystal displays, optical films, organic field effect transistors (FET or OFET) for thin film transistor liquid crystal displays and integrated circuit devices such as RFID tags, electroluminescent devices in flat panel displays, and in photovoltaic and sensor devices, and to a field effect transistor, light emitting device or ID tag comprising the reactive mesogenic benzodithiophenes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C. so that the cholesteric liquid crystal composition has at least 80% solids remaining. The invention also provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C., wherein the drying is accomplished using a technique that provides little or no airflow. The invention further provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor and 1,3-dioxolane.

Abstract: A compound having formula (3) wherein: D3 is an electron donor moiety; C3 is a conjugated bridging moiety; A3 is an electron acceptor moiety; S3 is a hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic moiety, or a hetero-acyclic moiety; and b? is an integer.

Abstract: A process for printing or coating a substrate with a liquid-crystalline composition and at least one non-liquid-crystalline print or coating as a multilayer and a substrate produced by this process is described. The liquid-crystalline composition contains at least one compound having two polymerizable groups and at least one compound having only one polymerizable group, and optional further additives. The non-liquid-crystalline print or coating contains one or more IR- or UV-absorbent or fluorescent dye or pigment. The process and the printed substrate are useful in producing counterfeiting-proof marking of articles.

Abstract: A compound or a polymer thereof promises an advantageous use for an ink-jet ink or a polymer dispersion liquid crystal display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal compound containing at least one polymerizable group, two or more kinds of photoreactive chiral compounds that undergo isomerization when respectively irradiated with light beams having mutually different wavelengths and exhibit mutually different HTPs after isomerization, and a polymerization initiator; a selectively reflective film produced using the liquid crystal compound; and a method for producing the selectively reflective film. Instead of the two or more kinds of photoreactive chiral compounds, a single photoreactive chiral compound that undergoes reversible isomerization when irradiated with either of two light beams having mutually different wavelengths may be used.

Abstract: A liquid crystal aligning agent which can provide liquid crystal aligning capability through exposure to polarized radiation without rubbing and which is used to form a liquid crystal alignment film, a method of forming a liquid crystal alignment film, and a liquid crystal display element having this liquid crystal alignment film. An alignment film is formed from a liquid crystal aligning agent containing a polymer having a polyamic acid ester structure with a conjugated enone structure in the side chain and applying radiation to it from a predetermined direction. Thereby, a liquid crystal display element having high thermal stability in the alignment of liquid crystals and excellent display characteristics can be manufactured.

Abstract: An electroluminescence device contains a carrier transporting layer comprising a liquid crystal compound represented by R—X—A—B—X?—R???(I), wherein A and B denote a naphthalene-2,6-diyl skeleton optionally substituted with one or two of F, Cl, Br, CH3 and CF3, at least one of A and B comprising a naphthalene-2,6-diyl skeleton having one to four CH groups replaced with N; X and X? denote —O—, —S—, —OOC— or —COO—; and one of R and R? denotes H, F, Cl, Br, CF3 or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms, and the other one of R and R? denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 3-20 carbon atoms, said alkyl groups being independently capable of including one methylene group which can be replaced with —O—, —S—, —CH?CH— or —C?C— so long as heteroatoms are not adjacent to each other.