Abstract: Shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomers. The shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomers being synthesized by filling an alignment cell with liquid crystal monomers. The liquid crystal monomers align to a surface of the alignment cell and then are polymerized with a dithiol chain transfer agent. The alignment cell is configured to impose a director orientation on a portion of the shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer. For some embodiments, liquid crystal elastomer laminates are prepared by arranging a plurality of liquid crystal elastomers such that a director orientation of each liquid crystal elastomer of the plurality is in registered alignment with an adjacent liquid crystal elastomer of the plurality. The arrangement is secured and the plurality of liquid crystal elastomers cured.

Abstract: Provided is an optical film with a resin substrate adhered to an optically anisotropic layer and suppression of occurrence of optical defects in the optically anisotropic layer. The optical film has a resin substrate having an alignment regulating force and an optically anisotropic layer arranged thereon, in which the optically anisotropic layer contains a liquid crystal compound and a compound having a heteroatom different from the liquid crystal compound, and in a case where a surface of the optical film on an optically anisotropic layer side thereof is a first surface and a surface of the optical film on a resin substrate side thereof is a second surface, and components of the optical film in a depth direction are analyzed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry while irradiating the optical film with an ion beam from the first surface toward the second surface, the obtained profile satisfies a predetermined requirement.

Abstract: Provided is a compound which is capable of reducing a tilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule, and a polymerizable composition, a cured product, an optical film, a polarizing plate, and an image display device, each using the compound. The compound is represented, for example, by Formula (I), P-Sp-Z-G1-(X1-Cy1)n-(X2-A1)m-X3-A2.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an appropriate configuration of a VUV polarizer that can be used for such a process as photo-alignment. The VUV polarizer can polarize VUV light not more than 200 nm in wavelength, and has a substrate transparent to the VUV light and a grid on the substrate. The grid is formed of a lot of linear parts in parallel and structured with no filler between the linear parts. A material of each linear part is an oxide of a Group 3 element or Group 4 element, and makes PE not less than 0.2 under an optical constant combination making PE maximum in the VUV range, where PE=T2×log10(ER), T is the transmittance of the grid, and ER is the extinction ratio of the grid. A workpiece is subjected to a photo-alignment processing by irradiation of VUV polarized light emitting from the VUV polarizer.

Abstract: A method of processing liquid crystal polymer film is provided. The method includes the following steps. A metal substrate is provided. A liquid crystal polymer film is provided. The liquid crystal polymer film and the metal substrate are laminated to form a composite layer. The composite layer is heated at a first temperature and a processed liquid crystal polymer film is obtained through the separation of the heated liquid crystal polymer film from the substrate. A processing device of liquid crystal polymer film is further provided, including a lamination member, a transport member, a heating member, and a separation member.

Abstract: A transmittance-variable film and a use thereof, where the transmittance-variable film can control pretilt of a liquid crystal interface by applying a liquid crystal alignment film containing splay oriented liquid crystal molecules, and can vertically and horizontally orient a liquid crystal layer or a liquid crystal interface according to an average tilt angle of the liquid crystal alignment film to ensure uniformity of driving and fast response speed. In addition, by applying a liquid crystal alignment film, the transmittance-variable film can be implemented in various modes with a simple coating-drying-curing method excluding the rubbing process by controlling an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal alignment film other than the pretilt control method using the conventional rubbing method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoalignment composition for the alignment of liquid crystals and the stabilization of the pre-tilt angle in liquid crystal layers. Further the present invention relates to the liquid crystal alignment film and coating layer prepared from the said composition and the use to fabricate optical and electrooptical elements and devices.

Abstract: The present application provides an optical film. By controlling transmittance of a liquid crystal layer comprising a radical initiator for the maximum absorption wavelength of the radical initiator, the present application can provide an optical film having a liquid crystal layer having excellent resistance to external stimuli and excellent optical properties. Such an optical film can have various forms and can be used in various fields.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal alignment agent having high thermal stability and high solvent solubility, and a liquid crystal panel in which occurrence of ghosting and stain and a decrease in contrast are suppressed even under environments at high temperatures long period of time. The present invention is a liquid crystal alignment agent including a copolymer including a structure represented by a chemical formula (1) below, and a solvent. In the formula, X is a specified structure including a cyclic hydrocarbon group, Y1 is a specified structure including a cyclic hydrocarbon group, R1 represents a homogeneous alignment group, a homeotropic alignment group, or a photoreactive functional group, and Z1 and Z2 are the same or different, and represent an —NH— group, an —O— group, or a —S— group.

Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment film comprising a polymer, having an excellent alignment property, stability, and high film strength, and thus exhibiting excellent durability and a high residual image characteristic, and a liquid crystal display device using the liquid crystal alignment film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to light-scattering liquid crystal devices suited for use in light control glass such as optical shutters and use in segment displays in, for example, clocks. A light-scattering liquid crystal device according to the present invention includes two substrates 1, of which at least one includes an electrode layer 2 and at least one is transparent, and a light control layer 4 held between the substrates, the light control layer 4 containing a liquid crystal material and a polymer substance, wherein the light-scattering liquid crystal device includes, between the substrates and the light control layer, a thin film layer 3 formed by subjecting a thermally curable compound containing a reactive group to thermal curing. According to the present invention, a light-scattering liquid crystal device having dramatically improved adhesion can be provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to index-gradient antireflective coatings that include a differential concentration of nanovoids versus thickness of the coating. In one embodiment, an index-gradient antireflective coating may have an index of refraction that varies from a first value to that of a second material. In another embodiment, the substrate may be optically transparent, and made of, for example, polymer, glass, or ceramics. The index-gradient antireflective coating can be fabricated using a non-uniform spin-coating process, by successive thermal evaporation, or by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. In another embodiment, the spin-coating process can include multiple steps that include different concentrations of monomers to solvent, different spin-speeds, or different annealing times/temperatures. Similarly, the thermal evaporation can include multiple steps that include different concentrations of monomers, initiators, solvents, and associated processing parameters.

Abstract: The optical element is an optical element comprising a first optically anisotropic layer which is a cured layer of a liquid crystal composition containing a first disk-like liquid crystal compound, in which the optical element has a liquid crystal alignment pattern in which an optical axis of the first disk-like liquid crystal compound is parallel to a surface of the first optically anisotropic layer, the first optically anisotropic layer is disposed along at least one direction in a plane of the first optically anisotropic layer, and orientation of the optical axis of the first disk-like liquid crystal compound rotationally changes continuously, and the orientation of the optical axis rotates by 180° with a period of 0.5 ?m to 5 ?m.

Abstract: A form birefringent optical element includes a structured layer and a dielectric environment disposed over the structured layer. At least one of the structured layer and the dielectric environment includes a nanovoided polymer, the nanovoided polymer having a first refractive index in an unactuated state and a second refractive index different than the first refractive index in an actuated state. Actuation of the nanovoided polymer can be used to reversibly control the form birefringence of the optical element. Various other apparatuses, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomers. The shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomers being synthesized by filling an alignment cell with liquid crystal monomers. The liquid crystal monomers align to a surface of the alignment cell and then are polymerized with a dithiol chain transfer agent. The alignment cell is configured to impose a director orientation on a portion of the shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer. For some embodiments, liquid crystal elastomer laminates are prepared by arranging a plurality of liquid crystal elastomers such that a director orientation of each liquid crystal elastomer of the plurality is in registered alignment with an adjacent liquid crystal elastomer of the plurality. The arrangement is secured and the plurality of liquid crystal elastomers cured.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel to display an image; an input sensor disposed on the display panel; a flexible circuit board attached to the input sensor; a compensation film disposed on the input sensor and spaced apart from the flexible circuit board; and an anti-reflector disposed on the flexible circuit board and the compensation film. The compensation film has a thickness is greater than that of the flexible circuit board and less than or equal to a distance between the anti-reflector and the input sensor.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a liquid crystal aligning agent is configured to contain a polymer [P] which has a partial structure represented by formula (1) and comprises a photo-alignment group. In formula (1), each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a monovalent organic group having one or more carbon atoms; and each of X1 and X2 independently represents —OH, —NH2 or a monovalent organic group having one or more carbon atoms, provided that at least one of X1 and X2 represents “—OR3” or “—NR3R4” (wherein each of R3 and R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group having one or more carbon atoms).

Abstract: Polymer-based electrolyte materials that may be used as proton exchange membranes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells are described. The disclosed polymer electrolyte materials can be generally defined by a general 1,3-dicarbonyl repeat unit that may include various side chain and main chain constituents changing the acidity of the C—H proton(s) located between the carbonyl groups. Accordingly, by varying such side-chain and main-chain constituents, the proton-conduction properties the disclosed proton exchange membranes can be manipulated, and methods of producing the same. Methods of producing such polymer electrolyte materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Curable compositions are provided including a curable system that requires a thermally generated amine to cause curing of the system, and a self-assembled particle distributed in the curable system. The curable system contains at least one reactive moiety and the self-assembled particle comprises a reactive amine ionically bound to a chromonic network. A multilayer article is also provided, including a substrate, a chromonic amine layer disposed on the substrate, and a curable layer disposed on the chromonic amine layer. Methods of making a cured composition and of adhering two substrates together are further provided.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal aligning agent composition including a liquid crystal polymer together with a polyimide-based (co)polymer, a method for preparing a liquid crystal alignment film using the same, and a liquid crystal alignment film and a liquid crystal display device using the same.

Abstract: A polyimide polymer that includes the reaction product of: (a) at least one diamine selected from the group consisting of a diamine of Structure (Ia) and a diamine of Structure (Ib), (b) at least one diamine of Structure (II), (c) at least one tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, and optionally (d) at least one compound containing a first functional group reactive with an amine or an anhydride and at least one second functional group selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group and a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group. Each variable in the above formulas is defined in the specification.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal alignment film capable of being given anisotropy through photoalignment and stable to light, and a liquid crystal display device capable of keeping a high voltage holding ratio without degradation of display quality even when exposed to strong light for a long period of time. To provide these, used is a liquid crystal aligning agent for photoalignment which contains a polymer having a structural unit containing a photoreactive structure and in which the structural unit containing a photoreactive structure undergoes chemical reaction by heating.

Abstract: A complex (10) includes a liquid crystal component (13) and a support (11, 12) of the liquid crystal component (13), in which a lubricating interface derivation region (16) is formed between the liquid crystal component (13) and the support (11, 12). An optical element includes a pair of substrates (11, 12) having electrodes (18, 19) on at least one substrate (11), and a liquid crystal component (13) with which a space between the pair of substrates (11, 12) is filled, in which a lubricating interface derivation region (16) is formed between the pair of substrates (11, 12) and the liquid crystal component (13). It is preferable that the lubricating interface deriving agent (14) is present in the lubricating interface derivation region.

Abstract: An optical device has a light guide plate configured to guide light within a plane parallel to an emission surface thereof, and a plurality of optical deflectors arranged two-dimensionally within a plane parallel to the emission surface. Each of the optical deflectors deflects light propagating through the light guide plate, and causes the emission surface to output light forming an image in a space. Each of the optical deflectors is configured to spread the light incident thereon that has an intensity distribution corresponding to an image in a direction orthogonal to the light guide direction of the light guide plate in a plane parallel to the emission surface, and cause the emission surface to output the light which groups the light from the plurality of optical deflectors arranged along a direction orthogonal to the light guide direction, such that light radiating from the image is formed.

Abstract: A low dielectric polyimide composition comprises an aliphatic anhydride, a long chain diamine, and an ester diamine. A polyimide made of such low dielectric polyimide composition has low polarizability group, thus the dielectric constant of the polyimide is lower. A polyimide made of the low dielectric polyimide composition, a polyimide film using the polyimide, and a copper clad laminate using the polyimide film are also provided.

Abstract: A photo-alignment material in which an alignment film can be formed parallel to a vibration direction of light and a tilt angle of the alignment film is easily controlled and a photo-alignment method using the photo-alignment material are provided. A photo-alignment material of the present invention contains a photo-responsive substance having a threshold value of responding light intensity.

Abstract: The onboard camera is mounted in a vehicle to shoot a driving environment of the vehicle by receiving external light from outside of the vehicle, the onboard camera includes: a camera unit having a lens unit which generates an image by receiving the external light and an image-capturing device which generates an image signal based on the image generated by the lens unit; and a polarization plate arranged in front of the camera unit, the image-capturing device constituting the camera unit is a CMOS image sensor, and the polarization plate is a polarization plate whose cross transmittance with respect to S-polarized wave having a wavelength from 420 nm to 700 nm is 5 to 20% or a polarization plate whose parallel transmittance with respect to natural light having a wavelength from 420 nm to 700 nm is 45 to 60%.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate; a second substrate overlapping the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate and including liquid crystal molecules; and a plurality of protrusions between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer, or a combination thereof, wherein the plurality of protrusions includes a polymer of a compound represented by Formula 1.

Abstract: An IPS type liquid crystal display device superior in mass productivity and improved in image quality with a higher contrast ratio by decreasing the occurrence of defective display due to the disorder of the initial liquid crystal alignment by the liquid orientation control film and realizing stable alignment of liquid crystals comprises: a pair of substrates, at least one which is transparent; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates; a group of electrodes formed on at least one of the pair of substrates to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer; plural active elements connected to the group of electrodes; and an orientation control film disposed on at least one of the pair of substrates, wherein said orientation control film is made of a photosensitive polyimide and a polyamide acid ester and is given orientation control ability by being irradiated with substantially linearly polarized light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal aligning agent for use as an alignment layer for liquid crystal display. More specifically, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal aligning agent capable of improving an imidization rate and thus exhibiting an excellent alignment state, a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the same, a preparation method thereof and a liquid crystal display comprising the liquid crystal alignment layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment agent for photo-alignment for providing an aligning member has excellent photoreaction efficiency and is capable of aligning polymerizable liquid crystals with high sensitivity. A liquid crystal alignment agent for photo-alignment includes (A) a resin having a side chain including a structure of Formula (1) and (B) a compound of Formula (2), an alignment member obtained from the liquid crystal alignment agent, and a retardation member: wherein X1 is a benzene ring which may be arbitrarily substituted with an substituent, R is a substituent selected from OH and NH2, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are each independently a substituent selected from a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl, etc., and n is an integer of 0 or 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds that are particularly useful for the alignment, especially photoalignment, of slave material, especially liquid crystals for optical or electro-optical applications, such as security applications, liquid crystal devices or optical or electro-optical films.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprises: a first substrate; an organic layer disposed on the first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the organic layer; a plurality of slits defined in the pixel electrode and configured to exposed a surface of the organic layer; a liquid crystal alignment film disposed on a surface of the pixel electrode and on the surface of the organic layer exposed by the plurality of slits; and a plurality of liquid crystal molecules disposed on the liquid crystal alignment film, wherein the liquid crystal alignment film includes a first region overlapping the plurality of slits and a second region overlapping the pixel electrode, wherein the second region has a surface energy different from a surface energy of the first region.

Abstract: A color-filter-on-array (COA) type liquid crystal panel and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An alignment film in the COA type liquid crystal panel is formed by a photo-alignment technology of an ultraviolet induced multi-domain vertical alignment (UV2A). Also, a problem of image sticking of an existing COA type liquid crystal display is improved by controlling the dielectric constant (??) of the liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal layer in the COA type liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a polymerizable liquid crystal composition which produces films being uncolored and having no cissing and good alignment when applied to a substrate, and also provides a polymerizable liquid crystal composition produced by the method and an optically anisotropic body using the polymerizable liquid crystal composition. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for producing a polymerizable liquid crystal composition, the method comprising a step (I) of preparing a polymerizable solution by mixing at least one polymerizable compound having at least one polymerizable functional group and one or two or more organic solvents and heating and stirring the resultant mixture; and a step (II) of mixing the polymerizable solution with a polymerization initiator, and also provides a polymerizable liquid crystal composition produced by the method and an optically anisotropic body using the polymerizable liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertical alignment layer including a cyclic olefin copolymer, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a vertical alignment layer capable of having alignment even in a low temperature process, and exhibiting excellent liquid crystal vertical alignment by including a cyclic olefin copolymer having a specific substituent.

Abstract: A photoalignment agent is provided. The photoalignment agent includes a copolymer of at least one of a cyclobutanedianhydride (CBDA) and a cyclobutanedianhydride (CBDA) derivative, and a realignment property diamine, wherein two or more aromatic rings in the realignment property diamine are connected by an ester group.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a compound represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing new liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, an alignment film is formed on a substrate. The alignment film is divided into a first alignment film formed using, as a precursor, liquid-state polyimide that contains a photodecomposition substance and a second alignment film formed using, as a precursor, a polyamic acid that does not contain a photodecomposition substance. UV light is irradiated to the alignment film, and decomposed substances formed by irradiation of the UV light is removed by an at least two-step removing process. By the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, bright spots are minimized in pixels and a brightness of black is lowered, so that a liquid crystal display device with a high contrast ratio can be realized.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate and a second substrate. An upper polarizer is disposed on an outer surface of the first substrate. A viewing angle control film is disposed on the upper polarizer. The viewing angle control film includes a polarizing layer having a transmission axis substantially parallel to a transmission axis of the upper polarizer and a phase retardation layer including a birefringence material having an optical axis with a poloidal angle of about 40 degrees to about 75 degrees.

Abstract: There are provided a photoreactive copolymer and an alignment layer comprising the same, and more particularly, to a photoreactive copolymer including a copolymer of two different kinds of monomers, and an alignment layer comprising the same. The photoreactive copolymer according to the present invention may have excellent liquid crystal alignment property and alignment speed, easily change an alignment direction depending on a polarization direction, and have excellent solubility to an organic solvent, such that the photoreactive copolymer may be used in various fields such as a liquid crystal device, and the like.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing includes coating a substrate (22) with a matrix (28) containing a material to be patterned on the substrate. A pattern (42) is fixed in the matrix by directing an energy beam to impinge on the coated substrate so as to fix the pattern in the matrix without fully sintering the pattern. The matrix remaining on the substrate outside the fixed pattern is removed, and after removing the matrix, the material in the pattern is sintered.

Abstract: To provide a photoalignable material that can yield a photoalignable film having a high optical uniformity and no alignment defect, and is excellent in sensitivity to allow photoalignment even with exposure in a short period of time, and a liquid crystal alignment film having a high alignment stability of a liquid crystal compound from the photoalignable material. A photoalignable polymer composition containing a specific photoalignable polymer and a specific polymer that is reactive with the photoalignable polymer is manufactured, and the photoalignable film is manufactured by applying the polymer composition onto a base material or the like, drying the applied composition thereon, and irradiating the dried composition with light. Furthermore, the liquid crystal alignment film is manufactured by allowing alignment of molecules of the liquid crystal compound in the photoalignment film.

Abstract: There is provided a cured-film formation composition for providing an orientation material that has high photoreaction efficiency and excellent solvent resistance with adhesion durability, and that enables a polymerizable liquid crystal to be aligned even on a resin film in a highly sensitive manner. A cured-film formation composition including: (A) an acrylic polymer having a photo-aligning group; (B) a polymer having any one of a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, and an amino group on at least two terminals of a group bonded to a main chain; and (C) a cross-linking agent. An orientation material and a retardation material are obtained with the cured-film formation composition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment agent of the present invention includes a polymer composition (A) synthesized by tetracarboxylic dianhydride compound (a) and diamine compound (b), and a solvent (B). The diamine compound (b) includes diamine (b-1) shown as following formula (I) and diamine (b-2): in formula (I), R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, a linear or branched hydroxyl alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, an alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbons, an alkylthio of 1 to 6 carbons, a halogen atom, an amino group or a nitro group; R2 represents a methylene group, a divalent alkyl of 2 to 10 carbons, a divalent alkenyl of 2 to 7 carbons or a divalent alkynyl of 2 to 6 carbons; and a represents an integer of 0 to 3.

Abstract: An orientation layer is provided for an optically anisotropic film disposed between a substrate and an optically anisotropic film. The orientation layer has an orientation regulating force vertically orienting a liquid crystal compound without being subjected to orienting treatment.

Abstract: Provided is a purification method of a photoreactive compound, and a photoreactive compound. According to the purification method of the present invention, a light and heat-sensitive photoreactive compound may be purified in high purity, thereby polymerizing a photoreactive polymer having improved physical properties.

Abstract: A touch panel, including a phase retardation film; a wire grid polarizer on the phase retardation film; and a touch sensor unit on the phase retardation film, the touch sensor unit being adjacent to the wire grid polarizer.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal photo-alignment layer that is composed of polymer stabilized azo dyes is provided, where a polymer network is introduced in the photo-alignment layer for stabilization. The photo-alignment layer is realized based on a two-step irradiation to first achieve molecule alignment to form the photo-alignment layer and then stabilize this layer. To realize the photo-alignment layer, a pre-determined surface of the substrate is first coated with a film of mixture. The mixture comprises an azo dye and a monomer preferably mixed in an optimal concentration of 0.67 wt/wt. The azo dye and the monomer have light-absorption peaks at different wavelengths such that photo-alignment of the azo-dye molecules and stabilization of the photo-alignment layer by polymerization of the monomer are achievable by two separate exposures of light to the film.

Abstract: An alignment film for liquid crystal display device includes a first portion positioned towards to the liquid crystal layer and a second portion positioned away from the liquid crystal layer. The first portion provides improved anchoring force while the second portion exhibits a lower volume resistance than the first portion. Thus, AC image sticking and DC image sticking can be minimized at the same time.