Abstract: A blue phase liquid crystal composition and a LC display using the composition. The liquid crystal composition includes a first class including a highly polar compound and a second class including a highly conjugated liquid crystal compound. The blue phase liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates each with polarizer on the exterior surface and the blue phase liquid crystal composition sandwiched therebetween with and patterned electrodes on one of the substrates or both substrates. The patterned electrodes can be T-shaped, chevron or v-shaped, thin comb like shape and can also be flat or trapezoidal. The device outputs different light transmissions from the electrically controllable induced birefringence of the blue phase LC material for a low driving voltage, high transmittance blue phase liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical switch element, comprising a liquid-crystalline medium for the temperature-dependent regulation of radiant energy flow. The invention furthermore relates to the use of the optical switch element for the regulation of radiant energy flow between interior spaces and the environment and for the regulation of the temperature of interior spaces. The invention furthermore relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, characterised in that it comprises 5-95% of a compound of the formula (I), in particular for use in the optical switch elements according to the invention.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound is provided that has excellent characteristics, such as a negatively large dielectric anisotropy. A liquid crystal composition containing the compound, and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition are also provided. A compound having the three factors, i.e., (1) a tetrahydropyran ring, (2) terminal alkenyl chain and (3) exhibits excellent characteristics including a negatively large dielectric anisotropy (??). The use of the compound having the characteristics provides an excellent liquid crystal composition and an excellent liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an alignment sustaining layer formed of a photopolymerized material on each of surfaces of a pair of alignment films which are closer to a liquid crystal layer. The alignment sustaining layer is configured to regulate a pretilt azimuth of a liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal layer during absence of an applied voltage. A nematic liquid crystal material of the liquid crystal layer comprise a liquid crystal compound having a terphenyl ring system as an indispensable component, and the liquid crystal layer further comprises part of a photopolymerizable compound. A content of the photopolymerizable compound relative to the nematic liquid crystal material is less than 0.015 mol %.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal composition having an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase used in an element driven in a state of an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase, which comprises a compound 1 having the clearing point T1 and a compound 2 having the clearing point T2, and which has the clearing point Tx, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises 10 to 80 wt % of compound 1 and 20 to 90 wt % of compound 2, and wherein the clearing point T1, the clearing point T2 and the clearing point Tx of the liquid crystal composition satisfy the following conditions: T1>T2 T1?Tx?100° C.

Abstract: The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light, a high stability to heat and a large elastic constant, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The subject is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that has a nematic phase and includes a specific four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature and a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific compound having a small dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and also provides a liquid crystal display device containing this composition.

Abstract: A novel polymerizable monomer compound that can be used for a variety of liquid crystal devices is provided. Particularly, a novel liquid crystal composition including the novel polymerizable monomer compound and exhibiting a blue phase is provided. Further, a liquid crystal display device manufactured with the use of the liquid crystal composition is provided. A polymerizable monomer compound represented by the following general formula (G1) is provided. In the general formula (G1), n and m are individually an integer from 1 to 20 and may be the same as or different from each other, and R1 and R2 individually represent hydrogen or a methyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystal (LC) display of the PS (polymer stabilized) or PSA (polymer sustained alignment) type, and to polymerisable compounds and LC media for use in PS (polymer stabilized) and PSA displays.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition includes 100 parts by mass of a nematic liquid crystal composition having negative dielectric anisotropy and 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of a polymerizable compound of general formula (I). On being irradiated with an energy ray, such as UV rays, the liquid crystal composition provides an LCD capable of high-speed response without undergoing reduction in reliability (voltage holding ratio). In formula (I), rings C1-3 are benzene, cyclohexane or naphthalene; M1-2 are hydrogen or methyl; Z1 is a direct bond, -L1-, -L1O—, etc.; Z4 is a direct bond, -L2-, —OL2-, etc.; at least one of Z1 and Z4 is not a direct bond; L1,2 are C1-C10 alkylene; when Z1?Z4, one or more hydrogen atoms of the rings C1, C2, and C3 are substituted; Z2 and Z3 are each a direct bond, an ester bond, etc.; p and q are each 0 or 1, provided that p+q?1.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel liquid-crystal compounds, processes and intermediates for the preparation thereof, the use thereof for optical, electro-optical and electronic purposes, in particular in liquid-crystal (LC) media and LC displays, and to LC media and LC displays containing the same.

Abstract: An object is to provide a liquid crystal polyester resin composition capable of producing a molding in which the generation amount of particles is sufficiently reduced. The present invention provides a liquid crystal polyester resin composition including (1) a liquid crystal polyester, and (2) a fiber-shaped filler having a fiber diameter of 5 to 15 ?m and a number average fiber length of 30 to 200 ?m, wherein the content of a fiber having a fiber length of more than 200 ?m is 10% by mass or less based on 100% by mass of the amount of the fiber-shaped filler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectrically positive liquid-crystalline media comprising one or more compounds of the formula I in which the parameters have the meaning indicated in the specification, and optionally one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae II and III in which the parameters have the meaning indicated in the specification, and optionally one or more compounds of the formula IV in which the parameters have the meaning indicated in the specification, and to liquid-crystal displays containing these media, especially to active-matrix displays and in particular to TN, IPS and FFS displays.

Abstract: A compound of formula (1): wherein A1 and A2 are —O—, —NR—, —S—, or —CO—, in which R is a hydrogen atom or substituent; Z is one or two atoms selected from a carbon atom or a non-metal atom of Group 14, 15 or 16 in the Periodic Table, and forms a five- or six-membered ring with the C—C?C—C or C?C—C?C; R1, R2, and R3 each are a substituent; m is an integer of 0 to 4; L1 and L2 are a single bond or divalent linking group; X is a non-metal atom of Group 14, 15 or 16 in the Periodic Table, and may have a hydrogen atom or R4; and at least one of R, R1, R2, R3, and R4 is substituted with a polymerizable group; a liquid crystal composition, an optical film, a retardation sheet, a polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal composition is provided that has a wide range where a liquid crystal phase is exhibited, has excellent solubility in an organic solvent, and is facilitated in control of an alignment state. The use of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition provides a polymerizable liquid crystal composition that has good solubility in a solvent with high safety, such as PGMEA, and can control various alignment states. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition in one aspect contains a fluorenone derivative represented by the formula (1) and a compound having a bisphenol skeleton represented by the formula (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal composition formed by including a polymerizable compound represented by general formula (I) in a nematic liquid crystal composition with negative dielectric anisotropy (??). In the formula, ring C1 represents a benzene-1,2,4-triyl group, or the like; rings C2 to C4 represent a 1,4-phenylene group, a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or the like; M1 to M3 represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; Z1 and Z2 are a direct coupling, -L1-, -L1O—, -L1O—CO—, or the like; Z6 is a direct coupling, -L2-, -OL2-, —O-COL2-, or the like; at least one of Z1, Z2, and Z6 is not a direct coupling; L1 and L2 represent a C1-10 alkylene group; Z3 to Z5 represent a direct coupling, an ester bond, or the like; and p, q, and r are 0 or 1, wherein 1?p+q+r?3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectrically positive liquid-crystalline media comprising in each case one or more compounds of the formula I in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated in the specification, and optionally one or more further dielectrically positive compounds and optionally one or more further dielectrically neutral compounds, and to liquid-crystal displays containing these media, especially to active-matrix displays and in particular to TN, IPS and FFS displays.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy and a suitable elastic constant K33 (K33: bend elastic constant), and further having a suitable and negative dielectric anisotropy and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and provides a liquid crystal composition including the compound, wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen, alkyl or the like, ring A1 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or the like, L1 to L4 are hydrogen or fluorine, and at least three of them are fluorine; when the ring A1 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or the like, Z1 is a single bond, —(CH2)2— or the like, when ring A1 is 1,4-phenylene, Z1 is —(CH2)2— or the like.

Abstract: The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a low viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding two or more characteristics. The subject is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a high voltage holding ratio, a high contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition is provided that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The crystal liquid display device using the composition is suitable for an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth, and can be used for a liquid crystal projector, a liquid crystal television and so forth.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition for forming a polymer/liquid crystal composite in which disorder of an orientation state is reduced is provided. The liquid crystal composition includes a liquid crystal material exhibiting a blue phase and a liquid crystalline monomer represented by the following general formula (G1). Note that the liquid crystal composition may include a non-liquid-crystalline monomer and a polymerization initiator. In the general formula (G1), X represents a mesogenic skeleton; and Y1 and Y2 individually represent an alkylene group having a sum of carbon atoms and/or oxygen atoms of 1 to 20. Also in the general formula (G1), the alkylene group and the alkyl group may include a carbonyl group and may have an ether bond. In addition, the carbonyl group and the ether bond may form an ester structure. In the general formula (G1), Z1 and Z2 individually represent an acryloyl group or a methacryloyl group.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition is provided that satisfies at least one of the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or is properly balanced regarding at least two characteristics. An AM device is provided that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy contains a first component having especially negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a second component having a large negative dielectric anisotropy and a low minimum temperature, a third component having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity. The liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same, and an optical film using the same liquid crystal composition. More particularly, there is provided a liquid crystal material of a viewing angle compensation film with high quality characteristics, which can improve a contrast ratio and minimize variations in color with viewing angles in a black state, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same liquid crystal material, and a compensation film obtained from the same liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A system having a vertically-aligned negative delta E nematic liquid crystal host material and a small amount of liquid crystal polymer is provided. The liquid crystal polymer improves the switching speed of a vertically aligned nematic system without sacrificing contrast or viewing angle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid crystal composition and articles comprising the composition. The composition comprises at least one compound of each of the Formulas (I), (II) and (III), as defined herein. A process for making the composition is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of dielectrically negative, polar compounds which comprises at least one compound of the formula I in which the parameters have the meanings indicated in claim 1, to the use thereof in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect, and to displays of this type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electro-optical light-modulation element of the FFS type, and to electro-optical displays and display systems, such as, for example, television screens and computer monitors, which contain elements of this type. The light-modulation elements according to the invention contain a liquid-crystalline modulation medium which has optimised elastic constants and are distinguished, in particular, by high contrast and/or optimised transmission in addition to good contrast, a low viewing-angle dependence, short response times and low addressing voltages. The present invention likewise relates to the liquid-crystalline modulation media used in the electro-optical light-modulation elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I in which R1, R2, A1, A2, A3, A4, Z1, Z2, Z3, V, a, b and c have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one compound of the formula I, and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.

Abstract: Disclosed are a biaxial liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same, and an optical film using the same liquid crystal composition. More particularly, there is provided a liquid crystal material of a viewing angle compensation film with high quality characteristics, which can improve a contrast ratio and minimize variations in color with viewing angles in a black state, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same liquid crystal material, and a compensation film obtained from the same liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element comprising a pair of transparent substrates, a liquid crystal layer which fills in between the pair of substrates and can form a chiral smectic C phase in homeotropic orientation, and an electrode which generates, at least, an electric field (parallel electric field) in directions parallel to a principal face of the substrate for the liquid crystal layer is provided, wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises, at least, a chiral compound of the following general formula (1-I) or a chiral compound of the following general formula (2-I) and a chiral compound of the following general formula (2 -II) in a base liquid crystal material which can provide a phase sequence of an isotropic liquid phase, a nematic phase, a smectic A phase and a smectic C phase from a higher temperature side, wherein R1, A2, Z1, Z2, m and 1 in formula (1-I), X, R1, R2, and * in formula (2-I), and X, R3, R4, R5, and * in formula (2-II) are defined in the specification.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid crystal composition and articles comprising the composition. The composition comprises at least one compound of each of the Formulas (I), (II) and (III), as defined herein. A process for making the composition is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal compound having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a suitable dielectric anisotropy and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds. The invention also provides a liquid crystal composition containing this liquid crystal compound and a liquid crystal display device containing this liquid crystal composition. The compound is represented by formula (a). Ra is, for example, alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, and Rb is, for example, alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons; La is, for example, hydrogen; and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are, for example, a single bond. The liquid crystal composition comprises this compound. The liquid crystal display device comprises this liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a copolymer for liquid crystal alignment having a photoreactive group, a mesogen group, a thermosetting group, and a crosslinking group, a liquid crystal aligning layer including the copolymer for liquid crystal alignment, and a liquid crystal display including the liquid crystal aligning layer. Since the liquid crystal aligning layer has excellent thermal stability and no residual image, the liquid crystal aligning layer is usefully applied to the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectrically positive, preferably nematic, media comprising one or more polymerisable compounds, to polymer-stabilised media obtained therefrom, to the use thereof in liquid-crystal displays, and to these displays, in particular PSA-IPS, PSA-FFS and PSA-positive VA displays

Abstract: Switchable gas permeation membranes in which a photo-switchable low-molecular-weight liquid crystalline (LC) material acts as the active element, and a method of making such membranes. Different LC eutectic mixtures were doped with mesogenic azo dyes and infused into track-etched porous membranes with regular cylindrical pores. Photo-induced isothermal phase changes in the imbibed mesogenic material afforded large, reversible changes in the permeability of the photo-switchable membrane to nitrogen. For example, membranes imbibed with a photo-switchable cyanobiphenyl LC material demonstrated low permeability in the nematic state, while the photo-generated isotropic state demonstrated a 16×-greater sorption coefficient. Both states obey a high linear sorption behavior in accordance with Henry's Law. In contrast, membranes imbibed with a photo-switchable phenyl benzoate LC material showed the opposite permeability behavior to the biphenyl-imbibed membrane, along with nonlinear sorption behavior.

Abstract: The racemic and chiral compounds expressed by common formula 1 and formula 2: wherein the lateral substituents X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and X8 in the benzene rings represent independently hydrogen and fluorine atoms, bridge group Z represent independently the single bond or COO, CH2CH2, CH2O and OCH2 group, substituent Y represents CH3, or CH2F, CHF2, CF3, C2H5 group, symbols n, m, r and t are independently integers of 1 to 8; symbols p and s signify independently number of 0 to 1 and its orthoconic antiferroelectric long helical pitch mixtures prepared by the methods 1) to the racemic components selected from compounds 1 are added chiral components selected from the compound of formula 1 and/or chiral components selected from the compounds of formula 2 and/or another optically active compounds with high helical twisting power, 2) to chiral compound 1 which helical pitches increases with the temperature increase is added chiral compound 1 which helical pitch decreases with temperature increase.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced between at least two of the characteristics. The liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase, and includes a specific optically active compound as a first component and may optionally include a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a second component, and a specific compound having a large positive dielectric anisotropy as a third component, and the liquid crystal display device contains this composition.

Abstract: A polymerizable compound represented by general formula (1): wherein A represents a ring assembly composed of at least two 6-membered rings each optionally having a substituent; X1 and X2 each represent a (meth)acryloyloxy group; and Y1 and Y2 each independently represent a single bond, an optionally branched alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an ether linkage, —COO—, —OCO—, a 6-membered ring optionally having a substituent, a naphthalene ring optionally having a substituent, or a combination thereof; the substituent being a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitrile group, an optionally branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an optionally branched alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or an optionally branched alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl, alkoxy, or alkenyl group may have its —CH2— moiety replaced with a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom and may have its hydrogen atom replaced with a halogen atom or a nitrite group.

Abstract: This invention relates to liquid crystal compositions, and polymer networks and articles comprising the compositions. The compositions comprise at least one compound of the group of compounds represented by the structures of each of the following Formulas (IV), (V) and (VI), as defined herein. A process for making the composition is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to fused naphthalenes of the general formula I, in which A1, A2, A3, A4, Q1-Q2, G1-G2, R1, R2, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, q, r, s and t have the meaning indicated, and to the use thereof as components of liquid-crystalline media and to an electro-optical display element containing them.

Abstract: Compounds including at least one mesogenic substructure and at least one long flexible segment and methods of synthesizing the same are disclosed. Formulations which include various embodiments of the mesogen-containing compounds and their use in articles of manufacture and ophthalmic devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal compound is represented by the following formula (1): P-Sp1-L1-M1-L2-Sp2-Ox ??(1) wherein P represents a polymerizable group; one of Sp1 and Sp2 represents a branched alkylene group, or an alkylene group containing, in the chain thereof, at least one divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C?C— and —S—; the other of Sp1 and Sp2 represents a straight chain alkylene group; each of L1 and L2 independently represents a divalent linking group; M1 represents a mesogenic group; and Ox represents a substituent containing an oxetanyl group.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprising a bifunctional (meth)acrylate compound represented by the following general formula (1) and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate compound represented by the general formula (2): R1 and R2 each=a hydrogen atom, methyl group, or halogen atom; A1, A2, A3 each=a benzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexene, naphthalene, decahydronaphthalene, tetrahydronaphthalene, or phenanthrene ring; rings may be substituted with 1-8 carbon atom alkyl group, 1-8 carbon atom alkoxy group, a halogen atom, or a cyano group; at least one of A1, A2, and A3 comprises a substituent; —CH? may be replaced by —N?, and —CH2— may be replaced by —S— or —O—: L1, L2, L3 each=a single bond, —COO—, —OCO—, —(CH2)p—, —CH?CH—, —(CH2)qO—, —CH?CHCH2O—, —CH?C—, —(CH2)2COO—, or —CF?CF—; n=integer 0-3; and, when n?2, L3 and A3 may be the same or different; p and q each=an integer 1-8:

Abstract: A liquid crystal molecule includes a structure represented by Formula (1): wherein X1 in Formula (1) is represented by Formula (2); X2 in Formula (1) is a group selected from Formula (3); X3 in Formula (1) is represented by Formula (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, characterised in that it contains a polymerisable component (A) containing one more polymerisable compounds and a liquid-crystalline component (B) containing one more compounds of the general formula I in which R, rings A1 and A2, Z1, Z2, Y1, Y2, X0 and r are as defined in Claim 1.

Abstract: A composition for a liquid crystal film includes: 100 parts by weight of a vertically aligned liquid crystal mixture; 0.001-20 parts by weight of a chiral dopant; and 50-900 parts by weight of a solvent.

Abstract: A blue phase liquid crystal composition and a LC display using the composition. The liquid crystal composition includes a first class including a highly polar compound and a second class including a highly conjugated liquid crystal compound. The blue phase liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates each with polarizer on the exterior surface and the blue phase liquid crystal composition sandwiched therebetween with and patterned electrodes on one of the substrates or both substrates. The patterned electrodes can be T-shaped, chevron or v-shaped, thin comb like shape and can also be flat or trapezoidal. The device outputs different light transmissions from the electrically controllable induced birefringence of the blue phase LC material for a low driving voltage, high transmittance blue phase liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerizable liquid crystal composition that includes a polymerizable reactive homeotropic alignment liquid crystal mixture solution and a primary or secondary amino compound, a homeotropic alignment liquid crystal film using the same, and a method for manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, regardless of the alignment film, a stable homeotropic alignment liquid crystal film may be manufactured.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): The invention further relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I); compositions further comprising one or more chiral compounds; and polymer networks derived from the polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions. Another embodiment relates to processes for providing compounds of Formula (I).

Abstract: The lyotropic liquid crystalline mixture of the present invention comprises at least a first azo compound and a second azo compound in relation of constitutional isomers wherein the first azo compound and the second azo compound are the constitutional isomers different in a binding site of at least an azo group. The first azo compound is preferably an azo compound wherein the azo group is bonded to an ortho-position of a hydroxyl group of an aminonaphthol skeleton. The second azo compound is preferably an azo compound wherein the azo group is bonded to an ortho-position of an amino group of an aminonaphthol skeleton. The lyotropic liquid crystalline mixture of the present invention may be utilized as a forming material of an optical anisotropic film, for example.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid crystal composition and articles comprising the composition. The composition comprises at least one compound of each of the Formulas (I), (II) and (III), as defined herein. A process for making the composition is also provided.