Abstract: A compound is of formula (I), in which: A1 to A4, E1 and E2 each independently represent hydrogen or an optionally-substituted hydrocarbon group; B1 and B2 each independently represent a single bond, an oxygen atom or an optionally-substituted hydrocarbon group; MG1 and MG2 each independently represent an optionally-substituted ring system; CG is a divalent or polyvalent chiral group. The optically active compound may be used as a doping agent for liquid crystals for a wide range of applications including solid state cholesteric filters for projection displays, circular polarisers, optical filters, etc.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an isosorbide derivative having at least one polymerizable group, characterized in that the isosorbide derivative further comprises at least one photo-convertible group for adjusting the helical twisting power of the isosorbide derivative.

Abstract: This invention provides a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having a large value of &Dgr;n/n, excellent in coating properties on an alignment film and easily aligned. Disclosed is a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having at least one polymerizable reactive group and showing nematic liquid crystal properties, having a &Dgr;n/n value of 0.14 or more wherein n is average refractive index and &Dgr;n is extraordinary light refractive index (ne) minus ordinary light refractive index (no), and being aligned by application onto an alignment film.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optically active polyester comprising at least constituent units represented by the general formula (I) and the general formula (II): wherein Ar1 and Ar2 each independently represents a bivalent aromatic group or a bivalent heteroaromatic group, and X1 and X2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an electron-withdrawing group, wherein A represents a bivalent substituent.

Abstract: The invention provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor, and at least one non-liquid crystalline additive that is a non-liquid crystalline compound of formula I 1

Abstract: The invention provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C. so that the cholesteric liquid crystal composition has at least 80% solids remaining. The invention also provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C., wherein the drying is accomplished using a technique that provides little or no airflow. The invention further provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor and 1,3-dioxolane.

Abstract: Disclosed are super broadband circularly polarizing film materials and novels methods of fabricating and using the same. The circularly polarizing materials are made from a film of material, such as a CLC polymer having a cholesteric order, in which a liquid crystal material, such as a nematic liquid crystal material, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the CLC polymer. The pitch of the helices of the CLC molecules in the polyermized CLC material varies in a non-linear (e.g. exponential) manner along the depth dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. The resulting circularly polarizing materials have reflection and transmission characteristics over bands of operation approaching 2000 nm. Depending on the final spiral structure of the materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photo-responsive liquid crystal composition which is composed of a liquid crystalline compound and a gelling agent, an information-recording medium and an information-recording process making use of the information-recording medium. The gelling agent consists of a photochromic compound having a group capable of forming an intermolecular hydrogen bond in its molecule as well as a photo-responding site of a specific structure. The composition can exist in any state of gel of a first phase and gel of a second phase and can undergo changes in state between the gel of the first phase and the gel of the second phase. The information-recording medium has a recording layer formed of the composition, and the information-recording process utilizes changes in state between the gel phases in the recording layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium having high twist, to the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, and to displays containing this medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula I, to liquid crystal mixtures comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I, to chiral linear or crosslinked liquid crystal polymers obtainable by polymerizing a polymerizable mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I, to the use of chiral compound of formula I and mixtures and polymers obtained thereof in liquid crystal displays, active and passive optical elements, adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostics, liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, nonlinear optics, optical information storage or as chiral dopants, and to a liquid crystal display comprising a mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I.

Abstract: An electrolyte comprises a liquid-crystal compound, a straight-chain or branched polyether compound and a metal salt.

Abstract: A method of increasing helical twisting power (HTP) in an optically active compound used in a liquid crystal material is provided. An optically active compound which exhibits a large HTP value is also provided. Furthermore, a liquid crystal composition which exhibits a high upper temperature limit of the liquid crystal after the addition of the optically active compound, and a liquid crystal display device using the same are provided. In a method, an HTP of a compound having a partial structure represented by formula (A), which has an asymmetric carbon atom, is increased by replacing the partial structure represented by formula (A) by a partial structure represented by formula (B).

Abstract: In color printing, and in the fine arts, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) color inks are known to possess much higher color saturation and brightness than conventional pigment and dyed based inks. However, prior art CLC ink formulations are inconvenient because in the liquid phase they have to be confined in cells, and in the solid phase, they have to be applied at high temperature, and have to be aligned by some means to produce the optimum color. This invention solves the problem encountered in the CLC prior art, by making pre-aligned CLC platelets or flakes of appropriate thickness and size and mixing them in appropriate host fluids producing a novel CLC ink which can be applied at room temperature and without the need for alignment. The new pre-aligned room temperature CLC ink can be used as a substitute for conventional inks in almost all printing and plotting, and manual drawing and painting. Using the notch filter CLC platelets, the brightness is further enhanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium comprising a liquid crystalline host component and an active component, to a thermochromic ink comprising such a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium encapsulated in a light transmissive polymeric material, to the use of a thermochromic medium or ink in decorative applications like pigments, inks and paints, cosmetics, thermodiagnostic applications like medical thermography, thermometry, optical and electrooptical applications, and security applications and devices, to a security marking or device comprising a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium or thermochromic ink and to a document of value comprising such a security marking.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device including a layer having a fixed cholesteric order, the patterned layer is manufactured by providing a layer comprising polymerizable cholesterically ordered material and a compound convertible by means of radiation from a non-converted to converted state. The pitch of the cholesterically ordered material is influenced by the compound in its converted state to a different extent than in its converted state. The polymerizable layer is then irradiated pattern-wise thus creating regions of different pitch. The irradiated layer is then polymerized and/or cross-linked to fix the cholesteric order thus obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula (I) wherein Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, X1, X2, X3 and X4 have the meaning given in claim 1, to liquid crystalline mixtures comprising at least one chiral compound of formula (I), to chiral linear or crosslinked liquid crystalline polymers obtainable by polymerizing a polymerizable mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula (I) to the use of chiral compounds of formula (I) and mixtures and polymers obtained thereof in liquid crystal displays, active and passive optical elements, adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compostions, diagnostics, liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, nonlinear optics, optical information storage or as chiral dopants, and to a liquid crystal display comprising a mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention is based on a chiral nematic liquid crystal composition which shows cholesteric liquid crystal phase and be able to reflect light in visible region selectively, comprising:

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula (I) R1X1-(A1-Z1)m-G-(Z2-A2)n—X2—R2, wherein R1, R2, X1, X2, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, G, m and n have the meaning given in claim 1, to liquid crystalline mixtures comprising at least one chiral compound of formula (I), to chiral linear or crosslinked liquid crystalline polymers obtainable by polymerizing a polymerizable mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formual (I), to the use of chiral compounds of formula (I) and mixtures and polymers obtained thereof in liquid crystal displays, active and passive optical elements, adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostics, liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, nonlinear optics, optical information storage or as chiral dopants, and to a liquid crystal display comprising a mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula (I).

Abstract: A light-reaction type optically active compound and light-reaction type chiral agent of the following general formula (I) or (II). In the general formulae, R1 and R2 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, an acryloyloxyalkyloxy group having 3 to 15 carbon atoms in total or a methacryloyloxyalkyloxy group having 4 to 15 carbon atoms in total.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent substrate, an orientation layer and an optically anisotropic layer in order. The optically anisotropic layer comprises discotic liquid crystal molecules. The orientation layer comprises a polymer having a hydrocarbon side chain containing 10 or more carbon atoms or a fluoropolymer. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are aligned at an average inclined angle in the range of 50° to 90°. A liquid crystal display of an STN mode and a method of alignment of discotic liquid crystal molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reflective type liquid crystal display which has, between a pair of transparent substrates with electrodes thereon, a nematic liquid crystal composition which exhibits a cholesteric phase at room temperature. The liquid crystal composition contains a nematic liquid crystal mixture containing a liquid crystalline difluorostilbene compound, and a chiral agent. The concentration of the liquid crystalline difluorostilbene compound in the liquid crystal composition is preferably in a range from 5 wt % to 60 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cholesteric layered materials having the layer sequence A1/B/A2, where A1 and A2 are identical or different and each comprise at least one cholesteric layer, and B is at least one interlayer separating the layers A1 and A2 from one another, wherein layer B is an adhesive layer; cholesteric multilayered pigments which can be produced therefrom; a process for their production, and their use.

Abstract: In a monostable ferroelectric active matrix display comprising a liquid-crystal layer in the form of a monodomain having an unambiguously defined direction of the layer normal z of the smC* phase, the layer normals z and the preferential direction n of the nematic or cholesteric phase (N* phase) form an angle of more than 5°.

Abstract: In color printing, and in the fine arts, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) color inks are known to possess much higher color saturation and brightness than conventional pigment and dyed based inks. However, prior art CLC ink formulations are inconvenient because in the liquid phase they have to be confined in cells, and in the solid phase, they have to be applied at high temperature, and have to be aligned by some means to produce the optimum color. This invention solves the problem encountered in the CLC prior art, by making pre-aligned CLC platelets or flakes of appropriate thickness and size and mixing them in appropriate host fluids producing a novel CLC ink which can be applied at room temperature and without the need for alignment. The new pre-aligned room temperature CLC ink can be used as a substitute for conventional inks in almost all printing and plotting, and manual drawing and painting. Using the notch filter CLC platelets, the brightness is further enhanced.

Abstract: This invention provides a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having a large value of An/n, excellent in coating properties on an alignment film and easily aligned. Disclosed is a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having at least one polymerizable reactive group and showing nematic liquid crystal properties, having a &Dgr;n/n value of 0.14 or more wherein n is average refractive index and &Dgr;n is extraordinary light refractive index (ne) minus ordinary light refractive index (no), and being aligned by application onto an alignment film.

Abstract: A chiral nematic liquid crystal composition that exhibits a cholesteric phase, said chiral nematic crystal composition comprising 55 wt % to 90 wt % of a nematic liquid crystal composition that comprises, as main components thereof, a liquid crystal ester compound and a liquid crystal pyrimidine compound, wherein said liquid crystal ester compound does not include a tolan skeleton therein and said liquid crystal pyrimidine compound includes a fluorine atom therein; and 10 wt % to 45 wt % of at least one chiral agent. A liquid crystal light modulating apparatus comprising a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent; and the chiral nematic liquid crystal composition disposed between the substrates.

Abstract: There is disclosed a reversible recording material having a liquid crystal mixture comprising at least two cholesteric liquid crystal compounds. The cholesteric liquid crystal compounds which are contained in the reversible recording material has a molecular weight of less than 2000 and a grass transition temperature equal to or more than 30° C. The two cholesteric liquid crystal compounds are compatible each other. After at least a part of the reversible recording material is heated to a temperature where the part of the reversible recording material becomes a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, the part of the reversible recording material is rapidly cooled down to below the glass transition temperature thereof, so that a reflecting color from the reversible recording material can be fixed to achieve a recording.

Abstract: Disclosed are super broadband circularly polarizing film materials and novels methods of fabricating and using the same. The circularly polarizing materials are made from polymerizable CLC film material having a cholesteric order, in which a liquid crystal material, such as a nematic liquid crystal material, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the CLC polymer. The pitch of the helices of the CLC molecules in the polyermized CLC material varies in a non-linear (e.g. exponential) manner along the depth dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. The resulting circularly polarizing materials have reflection and transmission characteristics over bands of operation approaching 2000 nm. Depending on the final spiral structure of the polymeriable CLC materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: A method for making broadband cholesteric liquid crystals with improved bandwidth. The method includes the main steps of: (a) preparing a polymerization mixture containing first and second chiral liquid crystals, wherein the first chiral liquid crystal possesses a cholesteric liquid crystal phase and the second chiral liquid crystal possesses a helix-inversion characteristic, and at least one of the first or second chiral liquid crystals contains a polymerizable functional group; and (b) subjecting the polymerization mixture to a polymerization reaction, wherein the polymerization reaction is conducted such that the first chiral liquid crystal will go through a helix-inversion phenomenon. In a preferred embodiment, the second chiral liquid crystal has a temperature-dependent helicity which exhibits a helix inversion characteristic at a helix inversion temperature.

Abstract: Chiral dopants of the formula I Z1—Y1—(A1)m—Y2—M—Y3—X—Y4—(A2)n—Y5—Z2  I in which the variables have, independently of one another, the following meanings: A1 and A2 a spacer with a chain length of 1 to 30 carbon atoms; Y1 to Y5 a chemical bond, —O—, —S—, —C(═O)—, —C(═O)—O—, —O—C(═O)—, —CH═CH—C(═O)—O—, —O—C(═O)—O—, —C(═O)—N(R)— or —(R)N—C(═O)—, —CH2—O—, —O—CH2—, —CH═N—, —N═CH— or —N═N—; M a mesogenic group; R hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl; Z1 and Z2 hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, a polymerizable group or a radical having a polymerizable group; x a dianhydrohexitol residue selected from the group consisting of dianhydrosorbitol, dianhydromannitol and dianhydroiditol;

Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal compositions and a recording medium which includes cholesteric liquid crystal composition are disclosed. The cholesteric liquid crystal composition has a characteristic, in a cholesteric phase, of reflecting visible light in accordance with temperature. By rapidly cooling the display from a cholesteric phase, the material can be solidified in a reflection state. The cholesteric material also has the characteristic during a transition from a solid phase to a cholesteric phase of having of an enthalpy &Dgr;Hch at a substantially constant value during a time when a temperature thereof increases during one of differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry.

Abstract: In color printing, and in the fine arts, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) color inks are known to possess much higher color saturation and brightness than conventional pigment and dyed based inks. However, prior art CLC ink formulations are inconvenient because in the liquid phase they have to be confined in cells, and in the solid phase, they have to be applied at high temperature, and have to be aligned by some means to produce the optimum color. This invention solves the problem encountered in the CLC prior art, by making pre-aligned CLC platelets or flakes of appropriate thickness and size and mixing them in appropriate host fluids producing a novel CLC ink which can be applied at room temperature and without the need for alignment. The new pre-aligned room temperature CLC ink can be used as a substitute for conventional inks in almost all printing and plotting, and manual drawing and painting. Using the notch filter CLC platelets, the brightness is further enhanced.

Abstract: A reflective type liquid crystal display which has a liquid crystal composition exhibiting a cholesteric phase in a room temperature and a columnar structure between substrates with ITO electrodes thereon. The liquid crystal composition is a chiral nematic liquid crystal composition which is produced by adding a chiral agent at a ratio within a range from 10 wt % to 45 wt % to nematic liquid crystal which contains a nematic liquid crystal component with a polar group at not less than 25 wt % and of which transition temperature to isotropic phase is within a range from 70° C. to 150° C. The anisotropy of refractive index of the liquid crystal composition is 0.10 to 0.22, and the anisotropy of dielectric constant is 5 to 30.

Abstract: In color printing, and in the fine arts, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) color inks are known to possess much higher color saturation and brightness than conventional pigment and dyed based inks. However, prior art CLC ink formulations are inconvenient because in the liquid phase they have to be confined in cells, and in the solid phase, they have to be applied at high temperature, and have to be aligned by some means to produce the optimum color. This invention solves the problem encountered in the CLC prior art, by making pre-aligned CLC platelets or flakes of appropriate thickness and size and mixing them in appropriate host fluids producing a novel CLC ink which can be applied at room temperature and without the need for alignment. The new pre-aligned room temperature CLC ink can be used as a substitute for conventional inks in almost all printing and plotting, and manual drawing and painting. Using the notch filter CLC platelets, the brightness is further enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed are cyanoacrylate compositions comprising a cyanoacrylate prepolymer and an encapsulated temperature sensitive indicator. These compositions provide for in situ formation of an polymeric cyanoacrylate film on mammalian skin which can be used to monitor the surface skin temperature of the mammal.

Abstract: An optically anisotropic film obtained from a mixture comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal compound, wherein retardation of the optically anisotropic film at 80° C., 60° C. or 0° C. measured from a normal direction is 20-97%, 20-99% or 101-150%, respectively, of retardation at 30° C., and an absolute value of a deviation in retardation by said liquid crystal compound is not greater than 6% when the optically anisotropic film is held at 30% for 200 hours, has the temperature dependence in accordance with the temperature dependence of retardation of a liquid crystal display cell, and a small variation of retardation by the liquid crystal compound with the lapse of time, and thus is suitable for use in a liquid crystal display apparatus.

Abstract: A reflective type liquid crystal display which has, between a pair of transparent substrates with electrodes thereon, a nematic liquid crystal composition which exhibits a cholesteric phase at room temperature. The liquid crystal composition contains a nematic liquid crystal mixture containing a liquid crystalline difluorostilbene compound, and a chiral agent. The concentration of the liquid crystalline difluorostilbene compound in the liquid crystal composition is preferably in a range from 5 wt % to 60 wt %.

Abstract: A polymer film with a helically twisted molecular structure exhibiting at least two maxima of the selective reflection wavelength. A process of preparing such a polymer film and processes for using such polymer film in optical data storage devices, photomasks, decorative pigments, cosmetics, security devices or active and passive optical elements such as polarizers, optical retarders or color filters.

Abstract: A cholesteryl compound has formula (1), and a rewritable full-color thermosensitive recording material contains the above-mentioned cholesteryl compound of formula (1): YO—CO(CH2)n—A—(CH2)nCO—OY  (1) wherein A is a 1,5-hexadienylene group represented by the formula —C(R)═CHCH2CH2CH═C(R)-, in which R is a hydrogen atom or methyl group; Y is a cholesterol residue obtained by removing a hydroxyl group from cholesterol; and n is an integer of 5 to 7.

Abstract: Disclosed are super broadband circularly polarizing film materials and novel methods of fabricating and using the same. The circularly polarizing materials are made from polymerizable CLC film material having a cholesteric order, in which a liquid crystal material, such as a nematic liquid crystal material, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the CLC polymer. The pitch of the helices of the CLC molecules in the polyermized CLC material varies in a non-linear (e.g. exponential) manner along the depth dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. The resulting circularly polarizing materials have reflection and transmission characteristics over bands of operation approaching 2000 nm. Depending on the final spiral structure of the polymeriable CLC materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.