Abstract: The liquid crystal composition of the invention exhibits selective reflection and changes its selective reflection wavelength by a redox reaction induced by an electric field. The liquid crystal device of the invention has a pair of electrodes, at least one of which is a transparent electrode, and a liquid crystal layer containing the liquid crystal composition between the electrodes. The reflective display material and the light modulating material of the invention include the liquid crystal device described above.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline polyester composition contains at least 100 parts by weight of liquid crystalline polyester and 10 to 100 parts by weight of glass fiber, wherein the glass fiber has a weight-average fiber length of 30 to 100 ?m, and content of specific glass fiber having fiber length of 300 to 500 ?m is 0.1 to 5 percent by weight to a total amount of the glass fiber.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline polyester composition contains at least 100 parts by weight of liquid crystalline polyester having different structural units and 10 to 100 parts by weight of glass fiber, wherein the glass fiber has a weight-average fiber length (Mw) of 200 to 500 ?m, and content of specific glass fiber having fiber length of not less than 1500 ?m is 0.1 to 5.0 percent by weight to a total amount of the glass fiber.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition including a dioxolane compound represented by the general formula (G1) as a chiral agent is provided. In the general formula (G1), R1 and R2 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and having a phenyl group as a substituent; R1 and R2 may be bonded to each other to form a ring; R3 and R4 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and a cycloalkyl group; and R5 to R40 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula I, in which R1-R6 can each independently be selected from hydrogen or hydrocarbyl (e.g., methyl); L1 is a divalent linking group, such as a bond or —OC(O)—R8—C(O)O—, where R8 can be divalent hydrocarbyl (e.g., —CH2CH2—); each L2 independently represents a flexible segment, such as divalent linear or branched C1-C25 alkyl; each L3 independently represents a rigid segment including, for example, optionally substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl groups; t is from 1 to 4; m and p are each independently from 0 to 4 for each t, provided that the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t; and E can be hydrogen or hydrocarbyl. The present invention also relates to compositions, such as liquid crystal compositions, and articles, such as optical elements, that include the compound represented by Formula I.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound and a liquid crystal medium are described. The liquid crystal compound is stable to heat and light and has a large dielectric anisotropy and a large optical anisotropy. The liquid crystal medium has a wide temperature range of liquid crystal phase, a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy, and exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase. The liquid crystal compound has 4 or 5 benzene rings, one of which is a chlorofluorobenzene ring. The liquid crystal medium is characterized in containing the liquid crystal compound and a chiral dopant and exhibiting an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase.

Abstract: Provided are compounds useful for use in liquid crystal mixtures to improve the properties of the mixture. In embodiments, the compound has two cyclohexyl ring and a tail containing one more fluorine atoms.

Abstract: There are provided: a proton transporting material that improves mechanical characteristics of a sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material, can be kept as a membrane even though it is made a solid state while maintaining a molecular arrangement of a liquid crystalline state, and is suitable for electrolyte membranes of fuel cells etc.; an ion exchange membrane, a membrane electrolyte assembly (MEA), and a fuel cell that use the proton transporting material; a starting material for the proton transporting material. The proton transporting material has a molecular structure produced by crosslinking the sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material with a crosslinking agent having two or more functional groups in sites except that of the sulfonic acid group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition containing a liquid crystalline polyester and a high dielectric material filler. The present invention also provides a molded article of the liquid crystalline polyester resin composition. The liquid crystalline polyester resin composition of the present invention comprises 50 to 80% by volume of a liquid crystalline polyester which has 40% by mol or more of a 2,6-naphthalenediyl group as an aromatic group, also has a flow initiation temperature of 280° C. or higher, and shows a melt tension of 1 g or more measured at a temperature higher than flow initiation temperature; and 20 to 50% by volume of a high dielectric material filler. The liquid crystalline polyester resin composition can be formed into composition pellets easily and stably by a strand method, and a molded article obtained from the liquid crystalline polyester resin composition is excellent in flexural strength and dielectric characteristics.

Abstract: A liquid crystal film (LCF), a method of manufacturing the same, an optical device, or an LCD is provided. The exemplified LCF can be used as a reflective polarization plate, which can improve luminance and light utilization efficiency of a display device, such as an LCD, and the like.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to mesogenic systems comprising a) a polymeric component, component A, obtained or obtainable from polymerization of a precursor comprising one or more mesogenic mono-reactive compounds, one or more di-reactive compounds, which optionally are also mesogenic compounds and optionally a photo-initiator and a low molecular weight component, component B, comprising one or more mono-reactive, mesogenic compounds, one or more mesogenic compounds and one or more chiral dopants, exhibiting a Blue Phase, as well as to the use of these systems in deices and to these devices.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal/polymer complex includes a liquid crystal material, a polymer, and a chiral agent. The liquid crystal material exhibits blue phase and contains liquid crystal molecules that are spirally arranged to form liquid crystal molecular cylinders having a spiral arrangement. The polymer maintains the arrangement and has a dendrimer-type structure including a dendrimer unit and a polymerizable unit bonded to an end of the dendrimer unit. The dendrimer unit contains a central atom and at least two branched structures bonded to the central atom and has a generation of two or more. The polymerizable unit contains a polymerizable group which can bond to a polymerizable group.

Abstract: Nematic liquid crystal cells with positive dielectric anisotropy that include colloidal suspensions having nanoclusters (e.g., CdTe nanoclusters, CdSe nanoclusters) that include a pure monolayer of ligands are provided as well as methods of inducing Freedericksz transitions in the nematic liquid crystal cells and methods of controlling the alignment of a liquid crystal.

Abstract: The invention relates to 1,1-disubstituted cyclohexane derivatives containing one or more polymerisable groups, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one compound of the formula I. At least one of the polymerisable groups is located at the geminally substituted position of the cyclohexane ring. The compounds are suitable for the stabilisation of liquid-crystalline phases. Examples of polymer-stabilised blue phases are indicated.

Abstract: A dielectric block provided in a dielectric antenna is formed with an organic polymer material containing a liquid crystal polymer and polytetrafluoroethylene. The added amount of polytetrafluoroethylene is 2 to 15% by volume based on the volume of the dielectric block. Preferably, the liquid crystal polymer has a flow beginning temperature of no lower than 310° C. and no higher than 335° C. The dielectric block may further contain a dielectric inorganic filler and in this case, the added amount of dielectric inorganic filler is 45% by volume or less based on the volume of the dielectric block.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound having a high stability to heat, light or the like, a high clearing point, a low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy, a suitable elastic constant and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and a liquid crystal composition including this compound, and a liquid crystal display device containing this composition. A compound represented by formula (1-1). In the formula, for example, R1 and R2 are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons or alkoxy having 1 to 9 carbons; ring A1 and ring A2 are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z1 and Z2 are a single bond or —(CH2)2—; >W1—W2— and >W4—W3— are >CH—CH2— or >C?CH—; and m and n are 0, 1 or 2, and the sum of m and n is 1 or 2.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal compound having general physical properties required for the compound, namely, a high stability to heat, light and so forth, a small viscosity, a refractive index anisotropy value having a suitable magnitude, a dielectric constant anisotropy value having a suitable magnitude and steep electro-optical characteristics, a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, in particular, a liquid crystal compound having a wide temperature range of the nematic phase; the compound is represented by formula (1): wherein R is alkenyl having 2 to 20 carbons; ring A1 and ring A2 are independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, or 1,4-phenylene in which at least one of hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z1 and Z2 are independently a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH?CH—, —CH2O— or —OCH2—; and n is 0 or 1.

Abstract: An object is to provide a novel liquid crystal composition that can be used for a variety of liquid crystal devices. Particularly, a novel liquid crystal composition is used to achieve a reduction in driving voltage of a liquid crystal element and a reduction in power consumption of a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal composition includes a polymerizable monomer represented by the general formula (G1), a nematic liquid crystal, and a chiral agent. In the general formula (G1), n and m are individually an integer from 1 to 20, and R1 and R2 individually represent hydrogen or a methyl group.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for precisely controlling the surfactant concentration and character of ferroelectric nanoparticles in a ferroelectric liquid crystal dispersion. In an aspect, the invention provides an efficient FTIR technique to characterize the status and measure the distribution of the surfactant in ferroelectric particle dispersion. This allows for establishing a reproducible fabrication process for ferroelectric nanoparticle liquid crystal dispersions. The methods also maintain the nanoparticles ferroelectricity, which is provided by the addition of surfactant during a comminution process. The invention therefore optimizes both the milling time (to achieve small particle size and narrow size distribution) and surfactant concentration (to maintain the ferroelectricity during milling).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided that includes a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a field generating electrode disposed on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate; an alignment layer disposed on the field generating electrode; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including a liquid crystal and an alignment polymer. The alignment layer initially contains an alignment material including an initiator, and the alignment polymer initially contains an alignment aid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marking of polymeric liquid crystal material having determined optical characteristics allowing its authentication and reading by a machine and its authentication by the human eye. The marking is applied onto an item, good or article by a variable information printing process. The marking is in the form of indicia representing a unique code which allows for an easy authentication by the human eye and a secure tracking and tracing of the marked item, good or article throughout its life cycle.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal composition homogenously having a desired pitch length and pitch gradient and capable of giving a layer having a broad selective reflection bandwidth; a circularly-polarized light separating sheet having the broad selective reflection bandwidth and capable of being produced simply and homogenously; and a method for producing such a sheet. A cholesteric liquid crystal composition which contains a nematic liquid crystal compound having a reactive group, contains a chiral agent, has a ?n value of 0.18 or more and has an absolute value of a temperature dependency parameter ?? represented by ??={(2(?b??a)/(?b+?a)}×{100/(b?a)} (“a” and “b” represent the temperature (° C.), ?a represents a selective reflection center wavelength at “a” ° C. and ?b represents the selective reflection center wavelength at “b” ° C.) of 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the formula I, and to a liquid-crystalline medium, preferably having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy, which comprises one or more compounds of formula I, defined herein, for use in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALO, FFS or IPS effect, and to the use of the compounds of the formula I for the stabilization of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of the formula II and one or more compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4, defined herein.

Abstract: A PCLC flake/fluid host suspension that enables dual-frequency, reverse drive reorientation and relaxation of the PCLC flakes is composed of a fluid host that is a mixture of: 94 to 99.5 wt % of a non-aqueous fluid medium having a dielectric constant value ?, where 1<?<7, a conductivity value ?, where 10?9>?>10?7 Siemens per meter (S/m), and a resistivity r, where 107>r>1010 ohm-meters (?-m), and which is optically transparent in a selected wavelength range ??; 0.0025 to 0.25 wt % of an inorganic chloride salt; 0.0475 to 4.75 wt % water; and 0.25 to 2 wt % of an anionic surfactant; and 1 to 5 wt % of PCLC flakes suspended in the fluid host mixture. Various encapsulation forms and methods are disclosed including a Basic test cell, a Microwell, a Microcube, Direct encapsulation (I), Direct encapsulation (II), and Coacervation encapsulation. Applications to display devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Nematic liquid crystal cells with positive dielectric anisotropy that include colloidal suspensions having nanoclusters are provided as well as methods of inducing Freedericksz transitions therein and methods of controlling the alignment of a liquid crystal.

Abstract: A composition including nanocomposites formed from blue phase liquid crystals that are stabilized with dopants and nanorods such as metallic nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes. Devices including the compositions are disclosed that provide increases temperature ranges as well as reduction, in threshold voltage and turn on voltage, in addition to the inherent blue phase liquid crystal properties of sub-millisecond response time in the field induced Kerr effect.

Abstract: An isosorbide derivative of Formula (I) is provided. In Formula (I), Z is —CH2—CH2—, —CH?CH—, —C?C—, —CH2—O—, —CH2—S—, —CH?N—O—, —CO—O—, —CO—S—, single bond, -ph-, —CO—O-ph- or —CO—O-ph-CO—O—, and ph represents benzene, R1 and R2 are, independently, C1-25 alkyl, —CN, —NCS, —CX3 or —OCX3, and X represents halogen, and m and n are, independently, 0, 1 or 2. The invention also provides a liquid crystal display including the isosorbide derivative.

Abstract: The present invention describes liquid-crystalline mixtures, and also oligomers or polymers which are obtainable by oligomerizing or polymerizing the inventive liquid-crystalline mixtures, a process for printing or coating substrates by applying and then polymerizing the inventive liquid-crystalline mixtures and the use of the inventive liquid-crystalline mixtures or of the inventive oligomers or polymers for production of optical or electrooptical components. The present invention further relates to the use of the inventive liquid-crystalline mixtures which comprise at least one chiral dopant for production of thermal insulation layers, and to such thermal insulation layers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polyester resin composition for camera modules is used, the composition including, based on 100 parts by mass of the composition as a whole, (A) 49.5 to 69.5 parts by mass of a liquid crystal polyester, (B) 30.0 to 50.0 parts by mass of an irregular form or spherical powder having a Mohs hardness of 5 or higher and a primary particle diameter of 5 ?m or less, and (C) 0.5 to 5.0 parts by mass of carbon black. The use of the resin composition allows a reduction in the amount of dust generated (particles falling off) during the production of the camera, the use of the camera, and the operation of the camera modules. The resin composition has high surface hardness, is excellent in balance between heat resistance, stiffness, moldability, and resistance to falling of particles off a surface, and causes no malfunction during autofocus control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and aggregated particles of fibrous crystals. According to the thermoplastic resin composition, a molded articles which adequately reduce a defect in appearance can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerisable compounds, to processes and intermediates for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof for optical, electro-optical and electronic purposes, in particular in liquid-crystal (LC) media and LC displays, especially in LC displays of the PS or PSA type (“polymer sustained” or “polymer sustained alignment” respectively).

Abstract: A retardation film and formula thereof, and method for manufacturing the same are provided. Furthermore, the retardation film is applied to compensate TFT-LCD viewing angle. Referring to the formula of the invention, the positive A film-embedded negative C optically anisotropic coating of the retardation film can be formed by single step coating, and the retardation film with net negative C symmetry in whole is easily manufactured.

Abstract: The invention provides liquid crystalline blends, a device such as a photovoltaic cell using the blend and method thereof. A liquid crystalline blend comprises at least an electron donor and at least an electron acceptor with a weight or molar ratio in the range of from about 1:20 to about 20:1. Another liquid crystalline blend comprises at least an electron donor and at least an electron acceptor, wherein the electron donor, the electron acceptor, or both is (are) halo-substituted such as F-substituted. The donor or the electron acceptor can be excited by an electromagnetic radiation such as solar light to induce electron transfer between the donor and the acceptor. The photovoltaic cell is improved in that favorable molecular arrangement in the blend gives more interfaces between the donor and the acceptor and thus a viable path for dissociation and electrons and/or holes; as well as larger light-harvesting area toward the coming light.

Abstract: Disclosed are a wholly aromatic liquid crystal polyester resin compound, a preparation method thereof, parts for optical pickup, and a preparation method thereof. The disclosed wholly aromatic liquid crystal polyester resin compound comprises two kinds of wholly aromatic liquid crystal polyester resins having different melting points and an additive, and most of the terminal groups in the resins having lower melting points among the resins comprise a carboxyl group.

Abstract: A liquid-crystalline polyester blend composition includes 100 parts by weight of a liquid-crystalline polyester blend and 0.1-300 parts by weight of calcium titanate and/or barium titanate, wherein the liquid-crystalline polyester blend can be obtained by combining liquid-crystalline polyester (A) (LCP A) and liquid-crystalline polyester (B) (LCP B) such that the ratio by weight of (LCP A)/(LCP B) is 99/1 to 80/20, wherein LCP A and LCP B are as defined in the specification, provided that at least one of LCP A and LCP B includes one or two repeating units that come from corresponding minor copolymerizing components selected from aromatic diol, aromatic dicarboxylic acid, aromatic monocarboxylic acid and aromatic monohydroxy compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystalline polyester composition comprising a liquid crystalline polyester, a fibrous filler, a plate-like filler and a granular filler. The connector obtained using the liquid crystalline polyester composition has poor filling suppressed and is excellent in warp resistance and crack resistance.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal polyester-containing liquid composition which is capable of producing a prepreg and a resin film in which surface defects are remarkably reduced even in case of drying at high temperature to remove the solvent in the production process. Disclosed are a liquid crystal polyester-containing liquid composition comprising a liquid crystal polyester, an organic solvent, and one or more kinds of selected leveling agents, wherein the content of the leveling agent is from 0.001 to 2.0 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the liquid crystal polyester and the organic solvent; and a method for producing a resin film, which comprises applying the above-described liquid crystal polyester-containing liquid composition on a support, and then removing the solvent from the liquid crystal polyester-containing liquid composition on the support at 50° C. or higher.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a porous membrane having excellent heat resistance and acid resistance. A porous membrane is constituted by a liquid crystal polyester and a polymer other than the liquid crystal polyester. A liquid crystal polyester having a reduced viscosity of 0.40 dL/g or more is used as the liquid crystal polyester. A polymer having a reduced viscosity of 0.40 dL/g or more is used as the polymer other than the liquid crystal polyester. The content of the polymer other than the liquid crystal polyester is adjusted from 10 to 40 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester.

Abstract: A resin composition for surface-mountable (SMT) camera modules which is excellent in the balance between heat resistance, rigidity, strength or moldability and surface exfoliation characteristics is provided by using a liquid-crystal polyester resin composition which comprises 100 parts by mass of a liquid-crystal polyester, 15 to 60 parts by mass of talc having a number-mean particle diameter of 10 to 50 ?m, 25 to 50 parts by mass of glass fiber having a number-mean fiber length of 100 to 200 ?m, 6 to 20 parts by mass of titanium oxide, and 2 to 10 parts by mass of carbon black and which exhibits a melt viscosity of 10 to 100 Pa S as determined at a shear rate of 100 sec?1 and 370° C. and a deflection temperature under load of 220° C. or above.

Abstract: A grafted polymer and its use in polymer/liquid crystal composite films, and more particularly in PDLC films, is disclosed. The grafted polymer includes (alkyl)acrylic acid or (alkyl)acrylamide moieties. At least one of the moieties is grafted with an alkylphenol or with an alkoxylated alkylphenol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for forming a board including a benzoxazine-based compound and a liquid crystal polymer or oligomer, and a board fabricated using the same. A board comprising the composition including the benzoxazine-based compound and the liquid crystal compound, and a prepreg comprising the cured composition, are also disclosed.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal polyester composition that yields compacts that are resistant to cracking. A plate-like filler with a volume-average particle size of 14 ?m or greater and a fibrous filler are combined with a liquid crystal polyester to form a liquid crystal polyester composition. The total content of the plate-like filler and the fibrous filler is 45-55 wt % with respect to the total of the liquid crystal polyester composition. The weight ratio of the fibrous filler content to the plate-like filler content is greater than 0.5 and not greater than 0.65.

Abstract: It is possible to obtain a polarizing film having a high dichroic ratio by using a liquid-crystalline coating solution in which a small quantity of a second lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound is mixed with a first lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound. The second lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound has a mole number smaller than the first lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound. The molecular size of the second lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound is smaller than that of the first lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound.

Abstract: A wholly aromatic thermotropic liquid-crystal polyester resin composition, comprising 5 to 40 parts by volume of titanium oxide (B) and 5 to 40 parts by volume of barium sulfate (C) with respect to 100 parts by volume of a wholly aromatic thermotropic liquid-crystal polyester (A); wherein the total of the (B) component and the (C) component with respect to 100 parts by volume of the (A) component is 15 to 45 parts by volume.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound having a large refractive index anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, and a low melting point, and a liquid crystal medium having a liquid crystal phase over a wide temperature range, a large refractive index anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, and having an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase, are provided. The present invention is a liquid crystal compound having a chlorobenzene ring, and a liquid crystal medium characterized by containing the liquid crystal compound and a chiral reagent, and exhibiting an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase.

Abstract: A nanoporous polymer electrolyte and methods for making the polymer electrolyte are disclosed. The polymer electrolyte comprises a crosslinked self-assembly of a polymerizable salt surfactant, wherein the crosslinked self-assembly includes nanopores and wherein the crosslinked self-assembly has a conductivity of at least 1.0×10?6 S/cm at 25° C. The method of making a polymer electrolyte comprises providing a polymerizable salt surfactant. The method further comprises crosslinking the polymerizable salt surfactant to form a nanoporous polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polyester resin composition includes, based on 100 parts by mass of a liquid crystal polyester, 15 to 60 parts by mass of talc having a number average particle size of 10 to 50 ?m, 25 to 50 parts by mass of a glass fiber having a number average fiber length of 100 to 200 ?m and a number average fiber diameter of 4 to 8 ?m, and 2 to 10 parts by mass of carbon black, wherein a melt viscosity as determined at a shear rate of 100 sec?1 at 370° C. is 10 to 100 Pa·S and a deflection temperature under load is 220° C. or more. The liquid crystal polyester resin composition is used to provide a liquid crystal polyester resin composition for a camera module, having good heat resistance, rigidity, strength, and moldability, and also an excellent surface exfoliation property in a well balanced manner and being capable of being surface mounted (SMT).

Abstract: The invention discloses a multilayer of cholesteric liquid crystal polymer (CLCP), wherein at least two layers of CLCP differing in at least one optical property are arranged on top of each other, characterized in that said at least two layers are chemically inter-layer cross-linked through the polymer network, such as to form a mechanically unique solid body which can be comminuted to pigment without deterioration of its inner structure, and which has an abrupt change of cholesteric liquid crystal pitch at the interface between said at least two layers of cholesteric liquid crystal polymer. Corresponding pigments, coating compositions and there use in security and decorative printing and coating applications are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Disclosed are random copoly(phosphonate carbonate)s with the high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution exhibiting a superior combination of properties compared to prior art.

Abstract: Disclosed is the chemical synthesis of chiral alkaloid monomers, liquid crystal compositions comprising the chiral alkaloid monomers, and polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions to provide polymer networks with useful cholesteric optical properties and stability.