Abstract: An example liquid crystal film for automotive glass comprises a first base layer, a first conductive layer, a microstructured liquid crystal layer, a second conductive layer, a second base layer, wherein the microstructured liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. In one embodiment, the microstructured liquid crystal layer comprises a bottom plate, a partition plate, and a liquid crystal mixture. The partition plate comprises sidewalls vertically arranged on the bottom plate, and the bottom plate is attached to the second conductive layer. The partition plate divides a space between the bottom plate and the first conductive layer into a plurality of polygonal receiving spaces. The liquid crystal mixture is positioned in the plurality of polygonal receiving spaces.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a variable tint lens and eyeglasses using the lens, wherein the variable tint lens includes a tint varying film including transparent first and second substrate layers, a liquid crystal layer, and a power supply device for supplying power to each layer of the tint varying film; a dichroic dye molecule layer is provided on a surface of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer, and a direction in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in each layer of the tint varying film is adjustable with a voltage provided by the power supply device. The whole lens can adjust swiftly and features a fast response; the adjustable range is large because of the simple structure and high transmittance. Moreover, it can also enable multi-tint adjustment when a multi-layer tint varying film is used for the lens; it can also adapt to various environments.

Abstract: An example liquid crystal film for automotive glass comprises a first base layer, a first conductive layer, a microstructured liquid crystal layer, a second conductive layer, a second base layer, wherein the microstructured liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. In one embodiment, the microstructured liquid crystal layer comprises a bottom plate, a partition plate, and a liquid crystal mixture. The partition plate comprises sidewalls vertically arranged on the bottom plate, and the bottom plate is attached to the second conductive layer. The partition plate divides a space between the bottom plate and the first conductive layer into a plurality of polygonal receiving spaces. The liquid crystal mixture is positioned in the plurality of polygonal receiving spaces.

Abstract: In one example, a crystal cell comprises: a first substrate, a second substrate, first spacers and second spacers sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate to define a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first spacers being fixedly bonded to each of the first substrate and the second substrate, the second spacers being movable between the first and second substrates, a sealant sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate and enclosing the first spacers and the second spacers, and a liquid crystal enclosed by the sealant, the first substrate, and the second substrate. Examples of a dimmable glass incorporating liquid crystal cells and methods of manufacturing the liquid crystal cells are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are liquid crystal (LC) assemblies that are dimmable and techniques for manufacturing LC assemblies. In some embodiments, an LC assembly includes a Guest-Host (GH) liquid crystal layer containing nematic liquid crystals, dye molecules, and a chiral dopant. The GH liquid crystal layer is located between a pair of substrates. The LC assembly is a film assembly, with each of the substrates including a flexible film and a conductive layer formed on the flexible film. The substrates are separated by spacers that define a cell gap. The GH liquid crystal layer is configured to transition the LC assembly between darkened and lightened states depending on the voltage across the conductive layers. The flexible films allow the LC assembly to conform to the surface of a window or other rigid surface to which the LC assembly is attached. The LC assembly can be attached via a liquid or film-based adhesive.

Abstract: In one example, a liquid crystal (LC) assembly includes a first curved glass layer and a second curved glass layer. The LC assembly further includes a film-based, flexible LC stack structure between the first curved glass layer and the second curved glass layer. The film-based, flexible LC stack structure includes Guest-Host (GH) liquid crystals. The film-based, flexible LC stack structure is configured to provide both a display operation for displaying content to one or more user and a dimming operation for reducing a transmittance level of light passing through the LC assembly.

Abstract: Described are eyewear with one or more dimmable vision correction lens stacks. The eyewear can have various form factors, including eyeglasses with a separate lens stack for each eye. The vision correction lens stack may have a first lens and a second lens, with a dimmable liquid crystal layer arranged between the first lens and the second lens. The first lens and second lens may have the same refractive index, the refractive index may be configured according to a prescription of the user. The dimmable liquid crystal layer may be electrically coupled to a control module which may be used to change the light transmittance of the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: The invention discloses a variable tint lens and glasses. The variable tint lens includes a first polarizer, a second polarizer, and a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, a first conductive film arranged between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal layer, and a second conductive film arranged between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal layer, the first conductive film and the second conductive film are also connected to a power supply device. The arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer changes according to the voltage provided by the power supply device, so that the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules to the light is changed, and the color of the light passing through the liquid crystal layer is changed. Compared with the prior art, the present invention can continuously change the color of light passing through the variable tint lens and adjust the brightness of the light.

Abstract: Described are examples of adjustable focus glasses formed using liquid crystal. A pair of adjustable focus glasses can include a frame and two lenses arranged on the frame. In some examples, at least one of the two lenses is a lens assembly that includes a plano-concave lens, a Fresnel lens, and a liquid crystal layer between the plano-concave lens and the Fresnel lens. The plano-concave lens includes a planar surface and an opposing concave surface. The Fresnel lens includes a Fresnel surface and an opposing convex surface. The planar surface and the Fresnel surface face the liquid crystal layer. The focus position of the lens assembly can be adjusted through changing the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer, using appropriate control signals from an electronic controller. This conveniently allows the adjustable focus glasses to be multi-purpose and suitable for correcting both myopia and hyperopia.

Abstract: Described herein are liquid crystal (LC) assemblies that are dimmable and techniques for manufacturing LC assemblies. Example LC assemblies are described that include a flexible substrate, a twisted nematic liquid crystal, a polarizer with cellulose triacetate and an ultraviolet blocker, a polycarbonate layer, polyvinyl butyral as a connecting layer, or any combination of these features. A flexible substrate can permit an LC assembly to be applied to a window or other rigid surface, even if the surface has a three-dimensional curvature. LC assemblies featuring Guest-Host or vertical alignment configurations are also described. In some embodiments, a dimmable LC assembly is provided as part of a kit including a control unit adapted to electrically connect to the LC assembly via a cable. Both the LC assembly and the control unit can be mounted to a window or other rigid surface. The control unit can be powered using a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: Described herein are liquid crystal (LC) assemblies that are dimmable and techniques for manufacturing LC assemblies. In one example, an LC assembly comprises: a first curved glass panel, a second curved glass panel, and a liquid crystal panel having a first outer surface and a second outer surface, a layer of a liquid adhesive attaching the first curved glass panel and the first outer surface of the liquid crystal panel, and a film adhesive attaching the second curved glass panel and the second outer surface of the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for proving a dimmable reflection and having a layered structure comprises a curved reflective layer, a curved cover glass layer, and at least one liquid crystal film positioned between the curved reflective layer and the curved cover glass layer. Each of the at least one liquid crystal film may comprise a first substrate layer, a first conductive layer, a first alignment layer, a guest host liquid crystal layer, a second alignment layer, a second conductive layer, and a second substrate layer and may be operable in (1) a vertical state, in which liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a direction perpendicular to a plane, associated with a first reflectivity rate and (2) a planar state, in which the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a direction parallel to the plane, associated with a second overall reflectivity rate lower than the first reflectivity rate.

Abstract: A layered structure comprises a transreflective layer configured to transmit light in a transmissive polarization orientation and reflect light in a reflective polarization orientation, at least one guest host (GH) liquid crystal layer comprising liquid crystal molecules and dichroic dye molecules and controllable to operate in at least a vertical state and a planar state. The layered structure is configured to transmit linearly polarized light. In a first reflection mode, the layered structure is configured to reflect light corresponding to a first reflectivity rate. In a second reflection mode, the layered structure is configured to reflect light corresponding to a second reflectivity rate less than the first reflectivity rate.

Abstract: An optical structure with high transmittance of an underlying display and reflective properties is disclosed. The optical structure has a semi-transmittance and semi-reflective layer and may have an optical compensation layer which may allow a higher transmittance of light through the semi-transmittance and semi-reflective layer. Light from the display is highly transmittable through the optical structure to a user. When the display is off, reflected light from a user allows the user to use the optical structure as a mirror. The optical structure may be adhered to a display by a rear adhesive.

Abstract: In one example, a liquid crystal (LC) assembly includes a first curved glass layer and a second curved glass layer. The LC assembly further includes a film-based, flexible LC stack structure between the first curved glass layer and the second curved glass layer. The film-based, flexible LC stack structure includes Guest-Host (GH) liquid crystals. The film-based, flexible LC stack structure is configured to provide both a display operation for displaying content to one or more user and a dimming operation for reducing a transmittance level of light passing through the LC assembly.

Abstract: Described herein are liquid crystal (LC) assemblies that are dimmable and techniques for manufacturing LC assemblies. In some embodiments, an LC assembly includes a Guest-Host (GH) liquid crystal layer containing nematic liquid crystals, dye molecules, and a chiral dopant. The GH liquid crystal layer is located between a pair of substrates. The LC assembly is a film assembly, with each of the substrates including a flexible film and a conductive layer formed on the flexible film. The substrates are separated by spacers that define a cell gap. The GH liquid crystal layer is configured to transition the LC assembly between darkened and lightened states depending on the voltage across the conductive layers. The flexible films allow the LC assembly to conform to the surface of a window or other rigid surface to which the LC assembly is attached. The LC assembly can be attached via a liquid or film-based adhesive.

Abstract: In one example, a crystal cell comprises: a first substrate, a second substrate, first spacers and second spacers sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate to define a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first spacers being fixedly bonded to each of the first substrate and the second substrate, the second spacers being movable between the first and second substrates, a sealant sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate and enclosing the first spacers and the second spacers, and a liquid crystal enclosed by the sealant, the first substrate, and the second substrate. Examples of a dimmable glass incorporating liquid crystal cells and methods of manufacturing the liquid crystal cells are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for selectively and partially erasing images from a liquid crystal writing device. A liquid crystal writing device according to some embodiments includes a transparent top layer, a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystal cells beneath the transparent top layer, a matrix of electrodes, and a control circuitry. The liquid crystal layer displays an image by switching cells to a reflective state. The writing device detects a mechanical pressure applied on a pressed area, the mechanical pressure indicating a command to erase at least a portion of the image from the pressed area. The control circuitry instructs one or more electrodes from the matrix to apply an erase voltage signal to a portion of the liquid crystal cells that correspond to the pressed area, wherein the erase voltage signal switches the portion of the liquid crystal cells to the scattering state.

Abstract: An eyewear apparatus may comprise an inner lens, an outer lens coupled to the inner lens, a liquid crystal film positioned between the inner lens and the outer lens, and a controller connected with the liquid crystal film and configured to provide a voltage to the liquid crystal film. The outer lens has a three-dimensional (3D) curvature characterized by a curvature along a first direction and a curvature along a second direction different from the first direction. The inner lens has a two-dimensional (2D) curvature characterized by a curvature along the first direction and substantially no curvature along the second direction.

Abstract: Described are multicolor liquid crystal writing devices that exhibit high brightness and contrast and methods for manufacturing multicolor liquid crystal writing devices that exhibit high brightness and contrast. The liquid crystals used in the devices and methods described are photosensitized using UV light to modify a reflective character of the liquid crystals and different amounts, intensities, wavelengths, or exposure durations of UV light provide for different reflective colors.