Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture containing at least one chiral compound, having negative dielectric anisotropy and exhibiting a chiral smectic C phase includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following general Formula I and a compound represented by the following general Formula II: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different straight-chain or branched chain alkyl groups having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; X.sup.1 is a single bond, --O--, --COO--, or --OCO--; X.sup.2 is --O-- or --OCO--; Y is --COO-- or --CH.sub.2 O--; A and B are independently a group including a six membered ring which can be substituted by halogen, a cyano group, a lower alkoxy group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; and Z is a single bond, --COO--, or --OCO--.

Abstract: A tolan derivative of a formula: ##STR1## where R represents a linear alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; X.sub.1, X.sub.2 and X.sub.3 independently represent a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom, provided that one of them is necessarily a fluorine atom and the others are hydrogen atoms; and Y represents a nitrile group or a linear alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and a liquid crystal composition containing the derivatives; and a liquid crystal display device having the composition are produced. The compound is compatible with other liquid crystal compounds, and by blending the compound with ordinary liquid crystal compounds, a liquid crystal composition having a broadened practical temperature range and an enlarged double refraction anisotropy is obtained.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing liquid crystal compounds are provided. The compounds comprise a fluorocarbon terminal portion having at least one catenary ether oxygen and a hydrocarbon terminal portion, the terminal portion being connected by a central core, the compounds having smectic mesophases or having latent smectic mesophases.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises at least one aramide-silicone-multiblock copolymer having the repeating unit represented by the following formula as an alignment layer material: ##STR1## A desired pretilt angle can be obtained by altering the content of polysiloxane in the aramide-silicone-multiblock copolymer and the pretilt angle is nearly uniform irrespective of an annealing temperature and a rubbing strength.

Abstract: Low-molecular-weight and polymeric liquid-crystalline 2-substituted benzotriazoles of the formula ##STR1## are used as photoconductors or electrophotographic recording materials or as fluorescent dyes for fluorescent displays.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is made from an encapsulated liquid crystal structure comprising a liquid crystal composition dispersed in a containment medium. Selected additives may be added to the encapsulated liquid crystal structure to improve performance characteristics such as the operating field, the hysteresis, and the voltage holding ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (A) 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystal polyester and/or liquid crystal polyesteramide capable of forming an anisotropic melt and (B) a liquid crystal polymer composition containing 5 to 300 parts by weight of a potassium titanate whisker having a pH of 6 to 8, wherein, the melt viscosity of the composition is 12 to 300 Pa.multidot.sec, and the weight average fiber length of the potassium titanate whisker in the composition is at least 4.5 .mu.m, the liquid crystal polymer composition having low anisotropy as well as balanced properties of superior dimensional stability, lubricating property (wear resistance), thin-wall moldability, heat resistance and mechanical properties, thereby allowing it to be useful as electrical and electronic parts, automotive parts, audio parts and various types of machine parts, and particularly as bearing and wear applications required to have lubricating property (wear resistance).

Abstract: A liquid-crystalline copolymer comprising the repeating units represented by the following general formulas ##STR1## wherein each of r and p is an integer of 2 to 5, q is an integer of 0 to 3, m is an integer of 1 to 20, and R.sup.1 is ##STR2## R.sup.2 being --COOR.sup.3, --OR.sup.3 or --OCOR.sup.3, R.sup.3 being ##STR3## each of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 being --CH.sub.3 or a halogen atom, each of a and d being an integer of 0 to 10, b being an integer of 0 or 1, with the proviso that d is not 0 when R.sup.5 is --CH.sub.3, the repeating units [I] and [II] being present in the liquid-crystalline copolymer in a substantial molar ratio [I]:[II] of 1:1, exhibits ferroelectricity even at a temperature neighboring room temperature and having a high response speed to changes of external electric fields.

Abstract: A phase transition-type liquid crystal composition including a mixture of ester-type liquid crystal compound and chiral nematic liquid crystal compound having added thereto at least one of ethane-type liquid crystal compound and bicyclohexane-type liquid crystal compound. The liquid crystal composition exhibits an extended width (.DELTA.V) of voltage hysteresis and therefore a stabilized homeotropic (H') state, when its voltage hysteresis curve is plotted. The liquid crystal display devices or elements using this composition have a fast response characteristic and enable a large scale or area display and an input operation using keyboards.

Abstract: The subject application discloses chiral nonracemic compositions of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an achiral tail of two to sixteen carbons; Ar is an achiral FLC core of at least two rings; * denotes a chiral or potentially chiral carbon; Q and D are H or a methyl group, provided that q and D are not both methyl; X and Z are halides and Y is H or a halide; and R.sub.2 is one to ten carbon atoms. The --O--C*HQ--C*DX--C*HY-- segment comprises the chiral proximal segment of the chiral tail. Z can be an ortho halide alone, or ortho and meta halides on adjacent carbons on the aromatic ring of the core adjacent to the proximal segment. R.sub.2 is the distal segment of the chiral tail.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal material represented by the following formula [I]:R--X--A.sup.1 --Y.sup.1 --A.sup.2 --(Y.sup.2 --A.sup.3).sub.n --Z--R*[I]wherein R is an alkyl or polyfluoroalkyl group; X is a group such as --COO--, or a single bond; n is 0 or 1; A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are each a cyclic group such as tetralin, and at least one of them has an optically active group; Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are each a group such as --COO--; Z is a group such as --O--, or a single bond; and R* is an optically active group. Also disclosed are a liquid crystal composition comprising the liquid crystal material represented by the above formula, and a liquid crystal element in which the liquid crystal material is used. The liquid crystal material of the invention shows excellent liquid crystal characteristics because it has at least two optically active groups.

Abstract: A liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds having positive dielectric anisotropy, comprising one or more compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which R, A.sup.1,. A.sup.2, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, m, n, L.sup.1, L 2 and L.sup.3 are as defined in claim 1.

Abstract: Liquid crystals purified by treating with porous particles of a compound having one or more imide groups, or a liquid crystal composition comprising one or more liquid crystals and porous particles of a compound having one or more imide groups can provide a liquid crystal cell having a high voltage retention rate and a liquid crystal display device having high display properties.

Abstract: Petroleum coke slumping in a petroleum coking drum is reduced by the use of a petroleum coking drum comprising a) a generally cylindrical vessel having a principal diameter portion, an upper reduced diameter portion at an upper end of the vessel, an upper reducing diameter portion extending from a lower end of the upper reduced diameter portion to an upper end of the principal diameter portion, a lower reduced diameter portion at a lower end of the vessel and a lower reducing diameter portion extending from an upper end of the lower reduced diameter portion to a lower end of the principal diameter portion; b) a top head removably positionable to close the upper reduced diameter portion; c) a bottom head removably positionable to close the lower reduced diameter portion; and d) a plurality of restraining bars positioned around an inner circumference of the lower reduced diameter portion.

Abstract: A device for radiating pulses of radio frequency energy in response to pulses of laser light in which a metal layer is ohmically bonded to one side of a substrate of semiconductor material and an antenna is ohmically bonded to the other side of the substrate, there being at least one aperture in the metal layer for permitting laser light to reach the disk.

Abstract: The disclosure of the invention relates to a high surface area powder composition in which the individual powder particles comprise silica shells which have been coated with finely distributed surface accessible metals, and to a process for preparing the same. Suitable surface accessible metals comprise one or more of Pd, Pt, Ag, among others.

Abstract: There are provided N-acetyl-D-glucosamine deacetylase capable of hydrolyzing acetamide group of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine to produce D-glucosamine and acetic acid, which has the following physicochemical properties:(1) Substrate specificity: N-acetyl-D-glucosamine monomer, not the oligomer or polymer thereof;(2) Optimal pH: 7.8-8.2 at 37.degree. C.;(3) Stable pH: 6.0-9.0 at 45.degree. C.;(4) Optimal temperature: 28.degree.-39.degree. C.;(5) Molecular weight: 70,000-200,000 as determined using TSK-gel G-3000 SW column,and a process for preparing the same using a microorganism belonging to Vibrio sp.

Abstract: A coating is provided for an optical fiber that inhibits abrasion or scraing of the fiber's surface. The coating is obtained by depositing a thin film of non-hydrogenated diamond-like amorphous carbon (a-C) onto the optical fiber using a laser ablation technique employing graphite as a target material.

Abstract: A method for preparing asymmetric radial polymers wherein the different polymeric arms are contacted sequentially with a coupling agent. The method narrows the relative arm distribution of the several asymmetric radial polymers produced and significantly increases the amount of total product having the desired ratio of polymeric arms. Any coupling agent known in the prior art to be useful in the production of asymmetric radial polymers may be used in the method of this invention but coupling agents having from three to about twelve functional groups are most effective.

Abstract: Antiperspirant compositions in gel form are provided which include an antiperspirant-active salt, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 polyhydric alcohol, dibenzyl monosorbitol acetal, and a borate salt, especially anhydrous borax. The borate salt serves as a stabilizer for the gelled stick.