Abstract: The present, invention relates to liquid crystal compositions having a smectic A structure for use in an optical device in which the composition is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes (12-15). In essence the composition includes a siloxane oligomer (component (a)) which may be seen to construct a layered SmA system of particular spacing and “strength”. Within this structure a low molar mass nematic mesogen (component (c)) is provided that may be considered to be that of a “plasticiser” which moderates the layer “strength”, while simultaneously providing tuneability to the properties of the composition, e.g. its refractive index or dielectric anisotropy. The addition of a side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane (component (d)) allows such systems to be further moderated since they can be considered as binding together the la>¾rs, both within a given layer and between layers.

Abstract: The present, invention relates to liquid crystal compositions having a smectic A structure for use in an optical device in which the composition is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes (12-15). In essence the composition includes a siloxane oligomer (component (a)) which may be seen to construct a layered SmA system of particular spacing and “strength”. Within this structure a low molar mass nematic mesogen (component (c)) is provided that may be considered to be that of a “plasticiser” which moderates the layer “strength”, while simultaneously providing tuneability to the properties of the composition, e.g. its refractive index or dielectric anisotropy. The addition of a side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane (component (d)) allows such systems to be further moderated since they can be considered as binding together the la>¾rs, both within a given layer and between layers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or organic non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation is nano-phase segregated in the SmC* phase, has an I?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., has a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, and has a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2, and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.

Abstract: A liquid crystal electro-optic device. The liquid crystal electro-optic device comprises at least one liquid crystal cell comprising: a pair of substrates having a gap therebetween; a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes positioned on one of the substrates or one electrode positioned on each substrate; and a ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material disposed in the gap between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material exhibiting an I-? SmC* phase sequence wherein the liquid crystal electro-optic device is bistable in operation. The invention also involves a method for making a liquid crystal electro-optic device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or organic non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation is nano-phase segregated in the SmC* phase, has an I?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., has a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, and has a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2, and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.

Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation has an I?SmA*?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2., and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.

Abstract: A liquid crystal electro-optic device. The liquid crystal electro-optic device comprises at least one liquid crystal cell comprising: a pair of substrates having a gap therebetween; a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes positioned on one of the substrates or one electrode positioned on each substrate; and a ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material disposed in the gap between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material exhibiting an I-? SmC* phase sequence wherein the liquid crystal electro-optic device is bistable in operation. The invention also involves a method for making a liquid crystal electro-optic device.

Abstract: Siloxane compositions are useful as traction fluids in traction drive systems which are subject to varied operating temperature and pressure conditions. Specific siloxane compositions included contain units of formulae (I) (R3SiO1/2)(RSiO3/2)(SiO4/2), (II) (R3SiO1/2)(RSiO3/2), (III) (R3SiO1/2)(SiO4/2), (IV) (R3SiO1/2)(R2SiO2/2)(RSiO3/2), (V) (R3SiO1/2)(R2SiO2/2), and (VI) (R2SiO2/2)a in varying mole percents, where a is an integer ranging from 3 to 20 and each R is independently selected from alkyl groups comprising 1 to 18 carbon atoms and aryl groups comprising 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Traction fluids suitable for operations under widely varying temperature environments, particularly having excellent low temperature properties are described. The tractions fluids comprise blends of organic oils and siloxane compositions. The siloxane compositions may include MTQ, MT, MQ, MDT, MDM, or D units in varying molar percents.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a siloxane resin composition comprising R1SiO3/2 siloxane units, R2SiO3/2 siloxane units and (R3O)bSiO(4-b)/2 siloxane units wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbons, hydrogen, or mixtures thereof; R2 is a monovalent organic group having 6 to 30 carbons; R3 is a branched alkyl group having 3 to 30 carbons, b is from 1 to 3; and the siloxane resin contains from 2.5 to 85 mole percent R1SiO3/2 units, 2.5 to 50 mole percent R2SiO3/2 units and 5 to 95 mole percent (R3O)bSiO(4-b)/2 units. The siloxane resin is useful to make insoluble porous resin and insoluble porous coatings. Heating a substrate coated with the siloxane resin at a sufficient temperature effects removal of the R2 and R3O groups to form an insoluble insoluble porous coating having a porosity of 1 to 60 volume percent and a dielectric constant in the range of 1.5 to 3.0.

Abstract: Siloxane compositions are useful as traction fluids in traction drive systems which are subject to varied operating temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: Nanoporous silicone resins and silicone resin films having low dielectric constants and a method for preparing such nanoporous silicone resins. The silicone resin comprises the reaction product of a mixture comprising (A) 15-70 mol % of a tetraalkoxysilane described by formula Si(OR1)4,  where each R1 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, (B) 12 to 60 mol % of a hydrosilane described by formula HSiX3,  where each X is an independently selected hydrolyzable substituent, (C) 15 to 70 mole percent of an organotrialkoxysilane described by formula R2Si(OR3)3,  where R2 is a hydrocarbon group comprising about 8 to 24 carbon atoms or a substituted hydrocarbon group comprising a hydrocarbon chain having about 8 to 24 carbon atoms and each R3 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; in the presence of (D) water, (E) hydrolysis catalyst, and (F) organic solvent for the reaction product.

Abstract: A method for hydrolyzing chlorosilanes having at least three chlorine atoms bonded to each silicon atom to form silicone resins. The method comprises adding at least one of hydridotrichlorosilane, tetrachlorosilane, or organotrichlorosilane to a two-phase mixture comprising a non-polar organic solvent, an aqueous phase comprising 0 to about 43 weight percent hydrochloric acid, and a surface active compound selected from the group consisting of organosulfates described by formula R2SO4H and alkali metal salts thereof, where R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups comprising about 4 to 16 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl groups comprising 7 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Soluble silicone resin compositions having good solution stability and a method for their preparation. The silicone resin comprises the reaction product of a mixture comprising (A) 15-70 mol % of a tetraalkoxysilane described by formula Si(OR1)4, where each R1 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, (B) 12 to 60 mol % of a hydrosilane described by formula HSiX3, where each X is an independently selected hydrolyzable substituent, (C) 15 to 70 mole percent of an organotrialkoxysilane described by formula R2Si(OR3)3, where R2 is a hydrocarbon group comprising about 8 to 24 carbon atoms or a substituted hydrocarbon group comprising a hydrocarbon chain having about 8 to 24 carbon atoms and each R3 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; in the presence of (D) water, (E) hydrolysis catalyst, and (F) organic solvent for the reaction product.

Abstract: Nanoporous silicone resins and silicone resin films having low dielectric constants and a method for preparing such nanoporous silicone resins.

Abstract: A method for hydrolyzing chlorosilanes having at least three chlorine atoms bonded to each silicon atom to form silicone resins. The method comprises adding at least one of hydridotrichlorosilane, tetrachlorosilane, or organotrichlorosilane to a two-phase mixture comprising a non-polar organic solvent, an aqueous phase comprising 0 to about 43 weight percent hydrochloric acid, and a surface active compound selected from the group consisting of alkylsulphonic acid hydrate, alkali metal salt of alkylsulphonic acid, arysulphonic acid hydrate, and alkali metal salt of arylsulphonic acid.

Abstract: Soluble silicone resin compositions having good solution stability and a method for their preparation.

Abstract: A method for preparing an .alpha.,.omega.-silyl terminated branched polyalkenylenes and polyolefins is provided. The method involves:(I) reacting a mixture comprising(A) at least one branched acyclic diene, and(B) at least one alkenylsilane in the presence of an acid free metathesis catalyst system to produce an .alpha.,.omega.-silyl terminated branched polyalkenylene; or(I) reacting a mixture of(A) at least one cycloolefin, and(B) at least one alkenylsilane in the presence of an acid free metathesis catalyst system to produce an .alpha.,.omega.-silyl terminated branched polyalkenylene. The .alpha.,.omega.-silyl terminated branched polyalkenylene produced by these methods may be hydrogenated to produce an .alpha.,.omega.-silyl terminated branched polyolefin.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an dual-cure silicone adhesive composition that is extrudable and flowable at room temperature in the absence of a solvent comprising (A) 40 to 95 parts of an alkenyl functional siloxane resin said resin containing 0.01 to 22 wt% alkenyl functionality; (B) 0.5 to 20 parts of a SiH containing polyorganosiloxane having an average of at least 1.7 silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule and having a viscosity of 0.8 to 2,000 mm.sup.2 /s; (C) a silane represented by monomers of the formula R.sup.1.sub.4-y Si(OR.sup.2).sub.y or oligomeric reaction products thereof; (D) a hydrosilylation catalyst in sufficient quantity to promote curing of said composition; (E) a moisture curing catalyst to promote the moisture initiated reaction of the alkoxy radicals; (F) optionally, 0.1 to 70 parts of a polydiorganosiloxane having at least two ethylenically or acetylenicaly unsaturated groups per molecule and having a viscosity of 100 to 80,000 mm.sup.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an addition-curable silicone adhesive composition that is extrudable and flowable at room temperature in the absence of a solvent comprising (A) 40 to 95 parts of an alkenyl functional siloxane resin consisting essentially of R.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 siloxane units and SiO.sub.4/2 siloxane units, wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; there being from 0.5 to 1.5 R.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 units for every SiO.sub.4/2 units; said resin containing 0.01 to 22 wt % alkenyl functionality; (B) 0.5 to 10 parts of an SiH containing polyorganosiloxane having an average of at least 2 silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule and having a viscosity of 0.8 to 2,000 mm.sup.2 /s; (C) a hydrosilylation catalyst in sufficient quantity to promote curing of said composition; (D) optionally, up to 70 parts of a polydiorganosiloxane having at least two ethylenically or acetylenically unsaturated groups per molecule and having a viscosity of 100 to 80,000 mm.sup.