Abstract: An electro-optic display device having at least two separate compartments for receipt of electro-sensitive material that is utilized in the formation or establishment of a display symbol as a result of an electrically imposed field. One compartment in the display contains the electrodes which form the various segments of the variable symbol to be displayed. The other compartment is the background area that will contrast visually with the segment portions that make up or establish the symbol to be displayed. The choice of material makes the background compartment optically equivalent to the portion of the symbol compartment that is not displaying a particular symbol. The electro-optic device preferably has a liquid crystal material with a dye to create a light absorption type of electro-optic display rather than a light modulation type of display. This invention allows dye displays that normally portray light characters on a dark background to be portrayed as dark characters on a light background.

Abstract: Fluorescent displays are comprised of a means for cooperatively aligning a liquid crystal material and a fluorescent medium disposed therein. The fluorescent medium is comprised of a nematic liquid crystal host which is effectively transparent to radiation of both near ultraviolet and visible wavelengths and a fluorescent guest whose visible fluorescent intensity varies with the phase or orientation of the liquid crystal host.

Abstract: Nematic liquid crystal compositions containing 4'-substituted-4-cyanobiphenyl and 4, 4'-disubstituted phenyl benzoate liquid crystal compositions which can be actuated at low voltages, e.g., under 3.5 Vrms in a 12.5 micron thick twisted nematic liquid crystal display.

Abstract: Nematic liquid crystal compositions for use in displays and in other liquid crystal applications comprising a mixture of a nematic biphenyl liquid crystal material, nematic liquid crystal material other than nematic biphenyl which is incompatible with the nematic biphenyl (e.g. when mixed together, it will form a smectic phase instead of a nematic phase) which is present in a concentration that will render the total mixture with improved electro-optic properties and nematic liquid crystal material other than a nematic biphenyl which is compatible with the nematic biphenyl and present in a concentration sufficient so that the mixture forms a satisfactory nematic phase for use in a field-effect display device. The preferred biphenyl-incompatible constituents are certain ester-type nematic liquid crystals and the biphenyl-compatible constituent are other certain ester-type nematic liquid crystal.

Abstract: Nematic liquid crystal materials suitable for use in displays and in other liquid crystal applications comprising particular combinations of positive and negative dielectric anisotropy nematic materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A nematic liquid crystal composition suitable for use in displays and in other liquid crystal applications comprising a mixture of negative dielectric anisotropy low temperature characteristic nematic non-Schiff base liquid crystals and strongly positive dielectric anisotropy nematic non-Schiff base liquid crystals doped with traces of cholesteric liquid crystal are disclosed. These compositions have low actuation voltages and very rapid response times.