Abstract: The invention relates to a broadband reflective polarizer that comprises a layer of a polymerized mesogenic material exhibiting a helically twisted molecular structure with planar alignment, said reflective polarizer being obtainable by a process wherein a mixture of a chiral polymerizable mesogenic material comprisinga) at least one achiral polymerizable mesogenic compound,b) at least one chiral compound that can in addition be polymerizable and/or mesogenic,c) a polymerization initiator,is coated on a substrate or between two substrates in form of a layer, aligned in a planar orientation so that the axis of the molecular helix extends transversely to the layer, and polymerized by exposure to heat or actinic radiation, and optionally the substrates are removed from the polymerized material, characterized in that said polymerizable material is coated and polymerized between two different substrates, and/or at least one of said substrates comprises a barrier layer on the surface adjacent to the layer of said p

Abstract: Advantageous aqueous mixed salt systems viscosified with water-soluble or water-dispersable polymers which are superior to corresponding single salt systems of similar densities are provided. The mixed salt systems comprise water; a water-soluble or water-dispersable polymer capable of viscosifying an aqueous medium; one or more cations including a member selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, or mixtures thereof; and one or more anions including a member selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, iodide, formate, nitrate, acetate, cyanate, thiocyanate, a zinc complex anion or mixtures thereof; there being present either at least two cations or at least two anions. Inventive viscosified mixed salt systems display--under such stressing factors as aging, heat, mechanical agitation, and shear--greater stability compared to the single salt systems of similar densities.

Abstract: Use of compounds in the plastic columnar discotic liquid-crystal phase for transport of electric charges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymeric film composed of an optically anisotropic material made from a cross-linked synthetic resin composition comprising a polymer network, being obtainable by copolymerization of a mixture comprising(a) at least one monomer or oligomer, each of said monomers or oligomers having at least two polymerizable functional groups selected from the group consisting of (meth-)acrylate ester, epoxy and vinyl ether,(b) at least one achiral liquid crystalline monomer or oligomer, each of said monomers/oligomers having mesogenic groups and one polymerizable functional group selected from the group consisting of (meth-)acrylate ester, epoxy and vinyl ether.

Abstract: An optically active compound represented by formula (I): wherein A represents ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms; R.sup.1 represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms; X represents a fluorine atom or a methyl group; n represents 1 or 2; m represents an integer of from 0 to 3; and C* represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are disclosed. The compound exhibits large spontaneous polarization and low viscosity and, when added to an achiral base liquid crystal composition, induces a chiral nematic phase in which the helical pitch has small temperature dependence.

Abstract: A polymer dispersed liquid crystal display device is disclosed. A polymer dispersed liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a pair of substrates inside which electrodes are formed, respectively. The substrates are disposed to be opposite to each other and to be spaced to a cell gap. A liquid crystal polymer network and liquid crystal droplets which are phase separated from each other, are interposed between the substrates. The liquid crystal polymer network is perpendicularly arranged to the planes of the substrates regardless of presence or absence of electrical field. The liquid crystal droplets includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and are dispersed in the liquid crystal polymer network. The liquid crystal polymer network has a birefringe index which is similar to that of the liquid crystal.

Abstract: The invention relates to direactive mesogenic compounds or mixtures thereof comprising mesogene-containing molecules, said mesogens having two side chains attached thereto which contain a terminal polymerizable functional group, said mesogens and said functional groups being separated by spacer groups having at least two to twenty spacer atoms, wherein both spacer groups have different chain length.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aligning film having good liquid crystal orientation, which can be obtained by irradiating polyimide comprising N-(2-(3,5-diaminobenzoyl)oxyethyl)-.alpha.-phenylmaleimide and 1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dihydride with polarized UV-rays without employing such methods as rubbing treatment and oblique deposition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a liquid crystalline display comprising a display cell containing liquid crystalline material and a retardation layer. The retardation layer comprises a, preferably slightly cross-linked, high-molecular weight material layer and a substrate, wherein the high-molecular weight material has a nematic phase above its Tg and a dynamic viscosity at the working temperature of at least 100 Pa.s. The difference of the Tc of the high-molecular weight material and the Tc of the low-molecular weight material of the display cell (TC.sub.cell) is in the range of -30.degree. C. to +30.degree. C., preferably in the range of -20.degree. C. to +20.degree. C., and more preferably in the range of -10.degree. C. to +10.degree. C.; and the Tg of the high-molecular weight liquid crystalline material is lower than 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A tristable liquid crystal display device comprises (a) first and second opposed substrates, at least one bearing an alignment coating and each bearing at least one electrode so as to define one or a plurality of pixels; (b) a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic liquid crystal composition disposed between the substrates; and (c) a pair of orthogonally disposed polarizers, each having a polarization axis, one polarization axis being aligned with the zero field optical axis of a tilted smectic or induced tilted smectic mesophase of the liquid crystal composition; wherein the substrates are disposed so as to provide an alignment of the liquid crystal composition, which comprises (i) at least one chiral liquid crystal compound; and (ii) at least one achiral liquid crystal compound that can be represented by the following formula:R--M--N--(P).sub.a --OCH.sub.2 R.sub.f (I)where R, M, N, P, a and R.sub.f are describe herein; wherein the liquid crystal composition exhibits tristable switching.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nematic liquid crystal mixture having a positive dielectric anisotropy .DELTA..epsilon. of at least +4 and a birefringence .DELTA.n of at least 0.12, characterized in that the mixtures comprises one or more components having the core structure ##STR1## wherein L.sup.1, L.sup.2, Y and Z are each independently of one another H or F, one of Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 is 1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene or 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene and the other residue Q.sup.1 or Q.sup.2 is --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- or -- if at least one of L.sup.1, L.sup.2, Y and Z denotes F-- also a single bond, whereby this core structure can be optionally further fluorinated in the benzene rings.

Abstract: A polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element having a sufficient reflectance and having a layered structure in which a refractive index changes periodically inside, as well as a manufacturing method thereof. The polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element is manufactured by applying laser interference light to a polymerizable composition containing a polymerizable compound having a photo-dimerizable structure and low molecular liquid crystals to conduct polymer phase separation and then applying polarized light to manufacture a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element in which low molecular liquid crystals are oriented.

Abstract: In a composition which has an amorphous, undercooled, glassy phase containing a water-soluble or water-swellable substance in an amorphous form, a sugar, which is capable of existing as a crystalline hydrate, is used as an agent to dehydrate the amorphous phase by crystallization therefrom, and thereby enhance the glass transition temperature of the residual amorphous phase.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to cementitious compositions are provided. The addition of an amidoamine that is the reaction product of polyalkylenepolyamines and short-chain alkanedioic acids or reactive derivatives thereof to cementitious compositions has been found useful in inhibiting the corrosion of ferrous metal articles in contact with said composition. The amidoamine is advantageously employed in combination with a hydrophobe compound that enhances corrosion inhibition. The invention also provides aqueous emulsions which contain the amidoamine, one or more hydrophobes, and an emulsifier for the hydrophobe.

Abstract: To inhibit the blackening of zinciferous metal-plated steel sheet while also generating a good corrosion resistance, fingerprint resistance, and chromium fixation ratio for the steel sheet, it is coated with an aqueous liquid composition that has a pH not exceeding 2.5 and contains hexavalent chromium ion, trivalent chromium ion, nickel ion, inorganic acid (preferably phosphoric acid), and film-forming resin, with a weight ratio between the nickel content and the total chromium content of 0.05 to 1, and the liquid coating is dried onto the treated metalsurface to form a blackening resistant coating that contains from 0.1 to 10 g/m.sup.2 resin and from 2 to 150 mg/m.sup.2 of total chromium.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline polymer film formed from a liquid crystalline polymer the orientation structure of which is smectic CA phase fixed. In this orientation structure the angle between C-director in the liquid crystalline polymer and the film plane is not zero. The liquid crystalline polymer film is useful in optical and dynamic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a STN LCD device having at least two domains per pixel, comprising:a) a liquid crystal layer having opposite sides;b) a set of electrodes on either side of said liquid crystal layer;c) a fluorinated polyimide alignment film for aligning a liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: An impure methyl tertiary butyl ether product contaminated with isobutylene, methanol and water is purified by continuous counter-current contact with water and an isobutylene fraction in an extraction zone comprising a counter-current contact tower to provide an overhead raffinate comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether and a minor amount of water and an extract comprising methanol, water and a minor amount of methyl tertiary butyl ether; the overhead raffinate being separated in a methyl tertiary butyl ether purification distillation zone into a lighter distillation fraction comprising isobutylene and water and a heavier distillation fraction consisting essentially of methyl tertiary butyl ether; the lighter distillation fraction being decanted to remove water and to provide a distillate isobutylene fraction that is returned to the contact tower as the isobutylene fraction.

Abstract: A record display medium that can display a high contrast image and is less likely to cause a lowering of contrast or disappearance of the displayed image even in low temperature and high temperature regions. The record display medium has a conductive substrate and a liquid crystal/polymer composite film provided on the conductive substrate. The liquid crystal/polymer composite film includes a smectic liquid and a dichroic dye dispersed in a polymer matrix. The liquid crystal contains a liquid crystal mixture having a specific composition and the dichroic dye is a black dichroic dye formed of a mixture of dichroic azo dyes.

Abstract: TN liquid-crystal displays and supertwist liquid-crystal displays (SLCDs) having very short response times and good steepnesses and angle dependencies are obtained by using nematic liquid-crystal mixtures which comprise at least one compound of formula IA ##STR1## and at least one compound of the formula IB ##STR2## in which R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, L and r are as defined herein.