Abstract: In a method of driving liquid crystal cells in an active matrix addressed display of the resistively-coupled transistor type whereby interlacing of alternate rows of pixels is achieved, rows N-1, N+1, N+3, - - - of the cells are addressed in sequence in a first field period by applying transistor turn-on pulses to the associated row address lines while reference signals are applied to the row address lines associated with rows, N, N+2, N+4, - - - in sequence, the turn-on pulse for the row N-1 and the reference signal for the row N being coincident. During a second field period of the transistor turn-on pulses are applied to the address lines for rows N, N+2, N+4, - - - while reference signals are applied to the address lines for rows N-1, N+3, N+5, - - - the turn-on pulse for the row N and the reference signal for the row N+1 being coincident. The reference signal may be of two different magnitudes which alternate at the line rate or at the frame rate of a television video signal.

Abstract: A device for indicating whether a rise in temperature above a predetermined value has occurred includes a support member, such as a label, on which a temperature-sensitive material is deposited. The material includes a large number of fracturable microcapsules containing a medium which changes from a solid state to a liquid state at the predetermined temperature value. The viscosity of the medium in its liquid state and the material of the support member are chosen such that the distance d.sub.1 by which the medium flows across the support member after the fracturing of the microcapsules so as to activate the device is indicative of the time between activation of the device and cooling of the device to below the predetermined temperature value. If the temperature is subsequently allowed to rise above the predetermined value, the medium will again assume its liquid state and will flow further across the support member, reaching a distance of, say, d.sub.

Abstract: A radiation meter for measuring the intensity of incident ultraviolet radiation in a predetermined wavelength band against a background of broadband radiation, such as sunlight, includes a sheet of a material incorporating a fluorescent dye. The dye is selected to absorb radiation in the predetermined wavelength band and consequently to emit fluorescent radiation. The fluorescent radiation is internally reflected within the sheet and emerges from an edge of the sheet, where it impinges on a photodiode. The photodiode produces an output which is dependent upon the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation. This output is used to drive a suitable display. The unwanted background radiation passes through the sheet without causing fluorescence of the dye, and is absorbed in an absorbent backing layer. The photodiode is so positioned and screened that the background radiation cannot impinge upon it.

Abstract: Pleochroic fluorescent dyes of the general formula I: ##STR1## in which R is hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical containing not more than 20 carbon atoms and --CH.sub.2 -- between carbon atoms or adjacent to the bicyclo[2.2]octane residue may be replaced by --O-- may be dissolved in liquid crystal host material to form displays which are caused to fluoresce by incident low-energy ultraviolet initially absorbed by the liquid cyrstal host material and then internally transferred to the fluorophor. These dyes have greater stability to ultraviolet than other perylenedicarboxylic diesters while possessing good fluorescent properties and satisfactory order parameters. In formula I, R is preferably a straight or branched alkyl, and/or cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 5 to 7 carbon atoms. The liquid cyrstal host material preferably contains an energy-transfer agent such as a 4-substituted 4"-cyanoterphenyl. The 4-pentyl- and 4-propyl- bicyclo[2.2.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a ferroelectric smectic phase liquid crystal enclosed between two surfaces, the surfaces being such that the directors of the liquid crystal adjacent the surfaces are not parallel to the surfaces. The directors adjacent one of the surfaces are not parallel to the directors adjacent the other surface, the liquid crystal cone angle being equal to half the angle between a pair of directors each adjacent a different one of the surfaces.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal compound has the molecular structure: ##STR1## where R is an alkyl group, which may contain up to 18 carbon atoms and which may be normal or branched and may contain a chiral center, ##STR2## is a bicyclo (2.2.2) octane ring, --X-- is and Y is a cyano group CN or R.sup.1 or OR.sup.1 where R.sup.1 has the same definition as R.The compound may be used in mixtures with other liquid crystal compounds in the same or other families and the compound or mixtures may be used in known liquid crystal devices, eg the twisted nematic and cholesteric-to-nematic phase change devices, depending on its properties.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal compound has the molecular structure: ##STR1## where R is an alkyl group, which may contain up to 18 carbon atoms and which may be normal or branched and may contain a chiral center, ##STR2## is a bicyclo (2.2.2) octane ring, ##STR3## is a phenyl ring and CN is a cyano group, n being an integer greater than 0 preferably 1 or 2.The compound may be used in mixtures with other liquid crystal compounds in the same or other families and the compound or mixtures may be used in known liquid crystal devices, eg the twisted nematic and cholesteric-to-nematic phase change devices, depending on its properties.