Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the invention comprises a transparent substrate 2, a transparent electrode 6 formed on the inner surface of the transparent substrate 2, an alignment layer 7 formed over the transparent electrode 6, a composite 5 formed over the alignment layer 7, and a transparent electrode 8 on the upper surface of the composite 5. The composite 5 comprises a transparent polymer 4 and a liquid crystal droplet 3. The liquid crystal droplet 3 is configured in a substantially hemispherical shape such that a bottom surface of the droplet is in contact with the alignment layer and the remaining surface excluding the bottom surface bulges towards an upper surface of the composite 5. The polymer 4 constitutes the other surface of the composite 5 such that the polymer 4 covers the hemispherical liquid crystal droplets 3. Thus, the invention achieves a liquid crystal display device in which one of the pair of substrates is eliminated and thereby the weight of the device is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A display system includes a substrate upon which the display system is fabricated; a printable electrooptic display material, such as a microencapsulated electrophoretic suspension; electrodes (typically based on a transparent, conductive ink) arranged in an intersecting pattern to allow specific elements or regions of the display material to be addressed; insulating layers, as necessary, deposited by printing; and an array of nonlinear elements that facilitate matrix addressing. The nonlinear devices may include printed, particulate Schottky diodes, particulate PN diodes, particulate varistor material, silicon films formed by chemical reduction, or polymer semiconductor films. All elements of the display system may be deposited using a printing process.

Abstract: A process selectively removes a light modulating layer containing a liquid crystalline material dispersed in a polymeric binder from the electrically conductive layer of a liquid crystal display web. The provided web comprises a flexible substrate, an electrically conducting layer disposed on the substrate, and a light modulating layer disposed on the electrically conductive layer. The light modulating layer inclues a liquid crystalline material dispersed in a polymeric binder and has an upper surface. The web is transported at a controlled rate of speed from a first station to a second station that is situated at a selected distance from the first station. At the first station, a solvent effective for softening the light modulating layer is applied at a controlled rate to a selected portion of the upper surface, thereby forming a selected softened portion of the light modulating layer.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of this invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and the second substrates, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes a polymer region and a liquid crystal domain surrounded by the polymer region in which liquid crystal molecules are oriented in an axial symmetrical manner, the first substrate includes a dry film having a concave portion on a surface facing the liquid crystal layer, and a symmetric axis in the liquid crystal domain substantially extends through the concave portion and is substantially perpendicular to the first substrate.

Abstract: A light-scattering sheet of the present invention can be produced by applying a liquid mixture comprising a plurality of polymers varying in refractive index (e.g., cellulose acetate), evaporating a solvent, and forming a bicontinuous phase structure due to spinodal decomposition. In the sheet, an incident light can be scattered isotropically, and the transmitted and scattered light may have a maximum intensity of a scattered light at a scattering angle of 2 to 40°. Therefore, the transmitted light can be scattered with high directionality. A reflective liquid crystal display unit comprises a liquid crystal cell 6 having a liquid crystal sealed therein, a reflecting means 5 for reflecting an incident light disposed behind the liquid crystal cell, a light-scattering sheet 2 disposed forwardly of the reflecting means and a polarizing plate disposed forwardly of the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the invention comprises a transparent substrate 2 a transparent electrode 6 formed on the inner surface of the transparent substrate 2, an alignment layer 7 formed over the transparent electrode 6, a composite 5 formed over the alignment layer 7, and a transparent electrode 8 on the upper surface of the composite 5. The composite 5 comprises a transparent polymer 4 and a liquid crystal droplet 3. The liquid crystal droplet 3 is configured in a substantially hemispherical shape such that a bottom surface of the droplet is in contact with the alignment layer and the remaining surface excluding the bottom surface bulges towards an upper surface of the composite 5. The polymer 4 constitutes the other surface of the composite 5 such that the polymer 4 covers the hemispherical liquid crystal droplets 3. Thus, the invention achieves a liquid crystal display device in which one of the pair of substrates is eliminated and thereby the weight of the device is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A polymer dispersion type liquid crystal display element having a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates, each having an inside electrode, is disclosed. The liquid crystal has liquid crystal droplets dispersed and held in either a polymer compound-containing continuous phase matrix or a three dimensional network of such a matrix. In one embodiment, the capacitance hysteresis, defined as Chys=(C2−C1)/Cmax, does not exceed 1.5%. C1 is the capacitance for an applied voltage that is in the process of rising a voltage-capacitance characteristic; C2 is the capacitance of an applied voltage in the process of dropping; and C2 is the capacitance of a maximum applied voltage. In another embodiment, the Chys value does not exceed 0.

Abstract: A method of forming a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal display element having a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates, each having an inside electrode, is disclosed. The droplets either are dispersed and held in a continuous matrix phase of the polymer or held in a three dimensional network of a matrix containing the polymer. In the method, the value of (V90×R/d is at least 0.7 where V90 is that voltage required for transmittance of a voltage-transmittance characteristic of the display element to be 90% when the element is at 30° C., d is the interval between the substrate pair, and R is the average particle size of the liquid crystal droplets.

Abstract: A polymer dispersion type liquid crystal display element is disclosed. The element has a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates, each having an inside electrode. Liquid crystal droplets are dispersed either in a polymer matrix continuous phase or in a three-dimensional matrix-containing polymer. When no voltage is applied to the electrodes, the liquid crystal molecules in the droplets present a bipolar-form orientation pattern having at least two poles in the vicinity of the interfaces between the liquid crystal droplets and the polymer. When a clear point transition temperature of the liquid crystal is Tni, the pattern of bipolar-form orientation is maintained at least when the element is operating at a temperature in the range of 5° C. to (Tni−5)° C.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the invention comprises a transparent substrate 2, a transparent electrode 6 formed on the inner surface of the transparent substrate 2, an alignment layer 7 formed over the transparent electrode 6, a composite 5 formed over the alignment layer 7, and a transparent electrode 8 on the upper surface of the composite 5. The composite 5 comprises a transparent polymer 4 and a liquid crystal droplet 3. The liquid crystal droplet 3 is configured in a substantially hemispherical shape such that a bottom surface of the droplet is in contact with the alignment layer and the remaining surface excluding the bottom surface bulges towards an upper surface of the composite 5. The polymer 4 constitutes the other surface of the composite 5 such that the polymer 4 covers the hemispherical liquid crystal droplets 3. Thus, the invention achieves a liquid crystal display device in which one of the pair of substrates is eliminated and thereby the weight of the device is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A reflector electrode is provided with hills and valleys thereon, and the reflector electrode is formed on an inside face of a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode and an opposite substrate. Light-scattering-liquid-crystal is provided with forward-scattering component and back-scattering component, so that scattering of reflected light from the reflector electrode is increased when the light-scattering-liquid-crystal is transparent. As a result, contrast is less dependent on a viewing angle, and a brighter quality display with higher color purity can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed are uniformly sized domains of liquid crystals, a method for forming the domains, and their performance in polymer dispersed liquid crystal displays. The method provides the ability to form discrete domains of liquid crystal surrounded by a polymer shell, also known as polymer encased liquid crystals, or PELCs. Further, the method provides for the ability to make PELCs that have uniformly sized particles. Displays made comprising uniformly sized PELCs demonstrate markedly improved electro-optical performance over displays made by conventional polymer dispersed liquid crystal processes.

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical switching element comprising a pair of substrates disposed to face to each other with a space being interposed therebetween, a medium interposed between the pair of substrate and composed of a liquid crystal material partitioned into small sections, and a material for partitioning a region of the liquid crystal material into the small sections, and voltage-applying means to apply an voltage to the medium. This medium is optically isotropic at the moment when no voltage is applied to the medium and capable of exhibiting an optical anisotropy which is proportional to a square of electric field intensity when a voltage is applied to the medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrophoretic displays and materials useful in fabricating such displays. In particular, novel encapsulated displays are disclosed. Particles encapsulated therein are dispersed within a suspending, or electrophoretic, fluid. This fluid may be a mixture of two or more fluids or may be a single fluid. The displays may further comprise particles dispersed in a suspending fluid, wherein the particles contain a liquid. In either case, the suspending fluid may have a density or refractive index substantially matched to that of the particles dispersed therein. Finally, also disclosed herein are electro-osmotic displays. These displays comprise at least one capsule containing either a cellulosic or gel-like internal phase and a liquid phase, or containing two or more immiscible fluids. Application of electric fields to any of the electrophoretic displays described herein affects an optical property of the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light-modulation element comprising at least: liquid crystal droplets having a particle size between 0.6 &mgr;m-2 &mgr;m, which have light-modulating functions to scatter light rays or transmit light rays and polymer matrix having an interstructure thickness of 0.5 &mgr;m or less between the liquid crystal droplets. The light-modulation element works to scatter light rays or transmit light rays by turning on a voltage or turning off a voltage. The light-modulation element is produced by a polymerization process and a mixing step to separate out liquid crystal phases in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display element which won't cause cross-talk effects and is capable of simple matrix drive. In the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display element of the present invention, a polymer having a dielectric constant greater than that of the liquid crystal is used, and the volumetric content of the liquid crystal is not greater than that of the polymer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device, materials for making the device, and method of making and using the device, and several applications of the device, having memory is responsive to respective inputs to assume respective optical responses; the liquid crystal may be liquid crystal microencapsulated in a containment medium; the memory capability of the device allows the device to hold a prescribed optical response condition even though one of the inputs changes between respective states or values.

Abstract: Briefly, according to one aspect of the invention, liquid crystal material is microencapsulated by a method utilizing an interfacial polymerization reaction which creates a combination of polyurethane and polyurea polymers which form the capsule walls surrounding the discrete liquid crystal droplets. The formed capsule walls are designed to have an adjustable refractive index so as to allow for the matching of the refractive index to that of the liquid crystal and polymeric binder materials. This allows for the production of a liquid crystal droplet surrounded by polymer film, which is optically clear when the liquid crystal director is aligned with the electric field. The microencapsulated liquid crystal droplets improves the dye stability of a dichroic dye and enhances the contrast of a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: An electronic book comprising multiple, electronically addressable, page displays is described. Said page displays may be formed on flexible, thin substrates. Said book may additionally encompass memory, power, control functions and communications.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element comprises a pair of substrates provided with electrodes and a liquid crystal and solidified matrix composite material, disposed between the pair of substrates, which includes a nematic liquid crystal dispersed and held in a solidified matrix, the nematic liquid crystal being such that the refractive index of the liquid crystal is changed depending on states of applying a voltage wherein in a state, the refractive index of the liquid crystal substantially coincides with that of the solidified matrix to thereby pass light, and in the other state, the former does not coincide with the latter to thereby cause the scattering of light, wherein the refractive index anisotropy .DELTA.n of the liquid crystal used is 0.18 or higher, and the dielectric anisotropy .DELTA..epsilon..sub.LC of the liquid crystal used satisfies the relation of 5<.DELTA..epsilon..sub.LC <13.

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical device including a liquid crystal/polymer composite film including of a matrix polymer composed mainly of a transparent resin having an ionic dissociative group and, dispersed therein, a liquid crystal particle; and conductive substrates sandwiching the liquid crystal/polymer composite film therebetween, at least one of the conductive substrates being transparent.

Abstract: Monomers with photopolymerization characteristics and an initiator for polymerization are added to a liquid crystal composition having a ferroelectric liquid crystal phase (S5). In a state (S6) where coexist two domains which differ from each other in directions of molecular major axes in the ferroelectric liquid crystal phase, light is projected to the liquid crystal layer to form a polymer reticulate structure therein (S7). As a result, this state is made a stable one and the liquid crystal shows macroscopic switching behaviors among two states causing dark and bright displays respectively, and the above-described state causing halftone display.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to obtain a liquid crystal display device which has a high light transmittance in a bright portion, can effectively use incident light, and can perform a high-contrast display. This liquid crystal display device includes a substrate having an electrode on a surface, and a light control layer formed on the substrate, wherein the light control layer contains microcapsules containing a liquid crystal material in a transparent film, and adjacent microcapsules adhere closely to each other, or the microcapsules have a polygonal structure. With this arrangement, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device which has a high light transmittance in a bright portion, can effectively use incident light, and can perform a high-contrast display.

Abstract: The display device, which is devoid of display defects and capable of being drived with low power, comprises a large number of microcapsules 10 in which disperse systems of charged particles 2 in a liquid dispersion medium 4 are encapsulated, and a pair of transparent electrodes 14 faced to each other disposed such that these microcapsules 10 is sandwiched therebetween. The diameters of the charged particles 2 are about 1/1000 to about 1/5 of the particle diameters of the microcapsules 10, and the charged particles 2 are dispersed such that the dispersion degree of the particle diamter distribution, expressed as volume-average particle diameter/number-average particle diameter, ranges from 1 to about 2, where the volume-average particle diameter indicates an average particle diameter derived from a volume-based particle diameter distribution and the number-average particle diameter indicates an average particle diameter derived from a number-based particle diameter distribution.

Abstract: A composition for use in a liquid crystal optical element, such as a liquid crystal display or laser shutter device, comprised of a liquid crystal material and a solidified polymer material. The liquid crystal is such that its refractive index is changed depending on states of applying a voltage. In one state, the refractive index of the liquid crystal substantially coincides with the refractive index of the solidified matrix to thereby pass light. While in the other state, the refractive index of the liquid crystal does not coincide with the refractive index of the solidified matrix to thereby cause the scattering of light. Specifically, the liquid crystal material used in the composition has a refractive index anisotropy (.DELTA.n) is greater than 0.18 and the dielectric anisotropy (.DELTA..epsilon.) satisfies the relation of 5<.DELTA..epsilon.<11.6.

Abstract: A polymer dispersed liquid crystal material comprising a polymer matrix, a liquid crystal and a diffusing agent.

Abstract: A closed-cavity liquid-crystal display is provided, which is a liquid-crystal display having a wide angle of view. The liquid-crystal display comprises: an insulator layer formed with a plurality of cavities extending completely through the insulating layer, in which liquid-crystal material is filled into the plurality of cavities; a first substrate, placed on one side of the insulator layer, in which a first electrode is formed on one side of the first substrate near the insulator layer; and a second substrate, placed on the other side of the insulator layer, in which a second electrode is formed on one side of the second substrate near the insulator layer, so that the first electrode and the second electrode are used to drive and vary the alignment of liquid-crystal molecules in the plurality of cavities.

Abstract: Disclosed are uniformly sized domains of liquid crystals, a method for forming the domains, and their performance in polymer dispersed liquid crystal displays. The method provides the ability to form discrete domains of liquid crystal surrounded by a polymer shell, also known as polymer encased liquid crystals, or PELCs. Further, the method provides for the ability to make PELCs that have uniformly sized particles. Displays made comprising uniformly sized PELCs demonstrate markedly improved electro-optical performance over displays made by conventional polymer dispersed liquid crystal processes.

Abstract: A recording display medium is provided which can offer a high display contrast and is less likely to cause a lowering of contrast or disappearance of display even in low temperature and high temperature regions. A smectic liquid crystal composition, for use in the recording display medium, and use of the recording display medium are also provided. The liquid crystal composition comprises: at least one member selected from the group constituting of compounds represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl or alkoxy group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms; and at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulae (II) to (VII): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 represent an alkyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, R.sup.3, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, and R.sup.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell filled with a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer 15 comprising liquid crystal droplets 15.sub.1 dispersed in a polymer 15.sub.2 between a first glass base plate 11 with a first transparent electrode 12 and a second glass base plate 13 with a second transparent electrode 14, is placed between crossed Nicols formed by a first polarizer 16 and a second polarizer 17, with a backlight 18 situated on the outer side thereof, the diameter of the liquid crystal droplets 15.sub.1 is between 3 .mu.m and 100 .mu.m, and the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal droplets 15.sub.1 are twisted to between 30.degree. and 180.degree.. The liquid crystals used have a dielectric anisotropy .DELTA..epsilon. which is negative when the frequency of the electric field is high and positive when the frequency is low, and by adjusting the dielectric anisotropy .DELTA..epsilon. via the frequency of the electric field it is possible to form liquid crystal droplets of a desired diameter.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having a pair of substrates with a display medium interposed therebetween, includes: a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines provided on one of the pair or substrates so as to cross each other; a plurality of switching elements, each of the switching elements being connected with one of the scanning lines and one of the data lines; an insulating layer provided so as to cover the plurality of scanning lines, the plurality of data lines, and the plurality of switching elements; a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on the insulating layer, each of the pixel electrodes partially overlapping at least one scanning line and at least one data line; and a plurality of contact holes formed in the insulating layer, through each of which an output terminal of a respective switching element and a respective pixel electrode are connected.

Abstract: A reduced driving voltage polymer dispersed liquid crystal display (10) has a transparent polymer matrix (20) disposed between two substrates (12, 14). Droplets of a nematic liquid crystal fluid (22) are uniformly dispersed throughout the polymer matrix. Particles of an optically transparent material (24) that is a weak conductor are uniformly dispersed throughout the polymer matrix to reduce the electrical potential across the polymer. The enhanced conductivity of the polymer matrix allows the display to be operated at a reduced voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed are uniformly sized domains of liquid crystals, a method for forming the domains, and their performance in polymer dispersed liquid crystal displays. The method provides the ability to form discrete domains of liquid crystal surrounded by a polymer shell, also known as polymer encased liquid crystals, or PELCs. Further, the method provides for the ability to make PELCs that have uniformly sized particles. Displays made comprising uniformly sized PELCs demonstrate markedly improved electro-optical performance over displays made by conventional polymer dispersed liquid crystal processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymerizable compound represented by Formula (I): ##STR1## where X represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; 1 represents an integer in the range of 0 to 14; m represents 0 or 1; n represents 0 or 1; p represents an integer in the range of 0 to 6; and q represents an integer in the range of 0 to 9, wherein m is 0 under the condition 1=0, and 1 under the condition 1.noteq.0.

Abstract: The liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing a display layer between a pair of electrode plates. The display layer comprises a porous polymer material having open pores partially filled and a low-molecular weight mesomorphic compound impregnating the porous polymer material. The display layer is free from an unfilled portion of the low-molecular weight mesomorphic compound to be effective for providing a liquid crystal device showing a high transmittance and a good contrast. The display layer also comprises a three dimensional network structure coated with a polymer layer, and a low-molecular weight mesomorphic compound impregnating the three-dimensional network structure. The display layer is free from a fibrous part which is unstable against an applied voltage to be effective for providing a liquid crystal device showing no hysteresis.

Abstract: This invention is a liquid crystal display device including a reflecting plate formed above a substrate, and a liquid crystal cell formed by alternately, repeatedly stacking a liquid crystal layer and a transparent electrode layer at least once on the reflecting plate, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes a thin film constituted by a microcapsulated guest-host liquid crystal containing dye molecules and liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device which includes a pair of substrates interposing a display medium including a polymer and liquid crystal therebetween and transparent-electrode portions formed on at least one of the pair of substrates, the transparent-electrode portions not easily transmitting light within a certain wavelength range.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the substrates and including a plurality of liquid crystal regions substantially surrounded by polymer walls; a sealing agent surrounding a periphery of the liquid crystal layer except for a portion where an injection hole is formed to seal the liquid crystal layer and secure the substrates together; and a sealant for sealing the injection hole, wherein the polymer walls include an ultraviolet light curable resin, and the sealant includes a visible light curable resin.

Abstract: This invention provides liquid crystal compositions for light controlling materials of light scattering type having both memory and high speed response characteristics. The composition neither needs a temperature controlling device nor a device for imparting a shear stress as a memory erasing device, because the composition comprises a two-frequency addressing liquid crystal or such liquid crystal with an ionic component.The two-frequency addressing liquid crystal responds to an electric field and exhibits a positive dielectric anisotropy or a negative dielectric anisotropy depending on the frequency region of the electric field. Because the flat shaped particles of the present invention exhibit an affinity with the liquid crystal, the particles are dispersed in the liquid crystal and form liquid crystal domains effectively.

Abstract: A multisegmented, highlight color ball for an electrical twisting ball display device made up of spheroidal balls rotatably disposed in an elastomer substrate. The ball is composed of segments arrayed substantially parallel to one another, each segment being adjacent to at least one other segment and to no more than two other segments, adjacent segments being adjoined to one another at substantially planar interfaces. Each segment has an optical modulation characteristic, the optical modulation characteristics of adjacent segments being different from one another. The segments include: a central segment having a thickness; a first interior segment, situated adjacent to the central segment and having a thickness less than the central segment thickness; a second interior segment, situated opposite the first interior segment with respect to the central segment and having a thickness less than the central segment thickness; a first exterior segment; and a second exterior segment.

Abstract: An electrooptical system is disclosed in which a PDLC film is positioned between 2 electrode layers. The PDLC film contains a liquid crystal mixture forming microdroplets in an optically isotropic, transparent polymer matrix. The liquid crystal mixture comprises one or more compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein R, A.sup.1, A.sup.2, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, X.sup.1, X.sup.2, Q, Y and n are as herein defined, and one or more reactive liquid crystalline compounds. The PDLC film exhibits improved switching times, especially at low temperatures.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a liquid crystal composite including a dye. The method comprises forming volumes in which a liquid crystal material is surrounded by a containment medium, forming a dye dispersion, combining the dye dispersion and the volumes of liquid material, and treating that combination to facilitate the transfer of the dye into the volumes of liquid crystal material.

Abstract: An information recording medium having an information recording layer comprising a liquid crystal phase and a resin phase is protected against deterioration due to a long-term storage. An information recording medium having an information recording layer comprising a liquid crystal phase and a resin phase and located in opposition to a photoelectric sensor having a photoconductive layer has been packed in a moisture- and light-resistant laminate formed of a synthetic resin and an aluminum foil, and filled therein with a dried, moisture-free inert gas.

Abstract: A driving power unit for a liquid crystal display element, which charges an electrostatic charge on the surface of the liquid crystal display element having at least a conductive layer and a liquid crystal-dispersed polymer layer in which a liquid crystal is finely dispersed into a polymer matrix, has a blocking oscillator circuit for boosting a low voltage generated by a low-voltage DC power source, a rectifier diode for rectifying the voltage boosted by the blocking oscillator circuit, a smoothing capacitor for being charged by application of the rectified voltage and smoothing an output voltage, and a resistance interconnected between the smoothing capacitor and an output terminal to control an output current value to 5 mA or less. A liquid crystal light-modulating device has a driving power unit and a liquid crystal light-modulating panel including a pair of electrodes at least one of which is transparent or translucent, and a liquid crystal-dispersed polymer layer sandwiched between the electrodes.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel having a polymer/liquid crystal composite film (PDLCD panel). The method includes the steps of preparing an upper substrate including active circuit portions having a pixel electrode and a TFT element and a capacitor, preparing a lower substrate including a black matrix, a color filter and common electrodes, joining the upper and lower substrates with a spacer to define a cell gap therebetween, injecting a composition comprising a liquid crystal, a UV curable monomer, a photo-curing initiator and a UV absorbent into the gap, and illuminating the composition with UV light.

Abstract: A polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display element for use in an electronic apparatus wherein the display element operates in a PDLC mode or reverse PDLC mode providing for reduction of visual display haze, improved display contrast. The particular medium includes a liquid crystal portion and a polymer portion and may include a chiral component. In cases where visual display haze and contract is a particular problem in the utility of the reverse PDLC display element, such as in the case where the display element is combined with a solar battery, a sufficient amount of dichroic dye is added to the liquid crystal portion of the medium, and, further, a compound showing no fluorescence emission with respect to a liquid crystal portion, or a polymer or a chiral polymer precursor portion of the medium, is employed.

Abstract: In a liquid crystalline optical device, a light modulating layer composed of a liquid crystal and a high polymer resin is sandwiched between two substrates having electrode layers, at least one of the substrates being transparent. The polymer is a compound which is obtained by photopolymerization of a prepolymer containing a (meth)acryloyl compound having a stilbene skeleton, or a (meth)acryloyl compound including dioxane group or dioxolane group. The liquid crystalline optical device can be driven with a lower applied voltage and exhibits a reduced hysteresis.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a pair of electrode substrates opposing each other, a polymer wall, and a liquid crystal region surrounded by the polymer wall, the polymer wall and the liquid crystal region being sandwiched by the pair of electrode substrates. At least one of a concave portion and a convex portion is formed on a surface of at least one of the pair of electrode substrates facing the liquid crystal region, and liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the liquid crystal region axial-symmetrically around the vicinity of the at least one of concave portion and convex portion as an axis vertical to the electrode substrates.

Abstract: Information recording media enable images to be recorded and reproduced with high resolution, wherein oozing of liquid crystal material thereof is prevented and the information recorded without unevenness. A first recording medium has an information recording layer comprising a liquid crystal phase and an ultraviolet curing resin phase. The information recording layer is stacked on an electrode layer provided on a substrate by coating a mixed solution of liquid crystal and ultraviolet curing resin material on the surface of the electrode layer and then irradiating the coating by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, thereby forming a cured skin layer of the resin material on the outer surface of the information recording layer. A second recording medium has a transparent electrode layer additionally provided on the information recording layer of the first recording medium.

Abstract: As shown in FIG. 1a, the information recording medium of the present invention includes an information recording layer on an electrode layer (13), said recording layer made up of a resin system (11) having liquid crystal phases (12) dispersed and fixed therein. In said recording layer, the refractive index of light through said resin system is such chosen as to be substantially coincident with the refractive index of light through the liquid crystal material which is being oriented by an electric field, whereby electrostatic information can be recorded and stored on the recording medium as visible information and the recorded and stored information can be reproduced at any desired time. The present recording medium can also be recycled, if the information recorded on it is erased.