Abstract: Optically active 1,3-dioxolane derivatives of the general formula (I) ##STR1## are suitable as doping substances in liquid crystal mixtures. The symbols in the general formula have the following meaning:R.sup.1 has the structure which is analogous to the moiety of the general formula which is on the right of X or is an alkyl or alkylene radical which can be substituted, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 are H or alkyl, which can also be substituted [R.sup.2, R.sup.3 can also be a cycloaliphatic compound together with C(2) of the dioxolane ring],R.sup.4 is vinyl or ethyl, with the proviso that at least one radical R.sup.4 is vinyl or ethyl, if R.sup.1 is analogous to the moiety of the formula (I) which is on the right of X, --A.sup.1, --A.sup.2, --A.sup.3 are an aromatic, heterocyclic or aliphatic ring system,--M.sup.1, --M.sup.2 are --CO--O, --O--CO, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2, --CH.dbd.CH, --CH.sub.2 O, --OCH.sub.2, --C.dbd.C andX is O, S or O--CO--O.

Abstract: The novel liquid-crystalline mixtures (in the case of ferroelectric behavior they additionally contain an optically active compound as dope) are based on at least two mixture components of the general formula (I) and at least one carboxylate of the general formula (II), (III) or (IV). ##STR1## The mixtures have favorable properties for use in electrooptical display elements, such as high contrast, low melting point and short switching times.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal switching or display device, in which the liquid crystal film has a constant thickness, wherein one of the glass sheets in the device is planar and the other glass sheet has at least one step. The switching or display device of the present invention does not require shortened switching times or more contacts or drivers and does not show unwanted switching.

Abstract: What is described is a surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal display with a layer thickness of 1 to 10 .mu.m containing a ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture having a high spontaneous polarization of P.sub.s greater than 20 nC.multidot.cm.sup.31 2 and a natural helical pitch of less than one half of the layer thickness.

Abstract: Addition of coronands and cryptands to FLC-mixtures makes it possible to bring the FLC material into a homogeneous "bookshelf" or "quasi-bookshelf" geometry. When such a FLC mixture is used, displays which have been shock-damaged can be regenerated by applying a suitable electric field for a short period of time.

Abstract: Switching and display elements based on ferroelectric liquid-crystals often exhibit a pronounced optical hysteresis which results in the appearance of so-called ghost images. This phenomenon can be markedly reduced or even suppressed if at least one of the two orienting layers are in direct contact with the electrodes and is composed of an electrically conductive polymer of the formula (I): ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 =independently of each other, H, or straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkoxy containing 1-16 carbon atoms, or halogen,X=S, NH,Y.sup.- =BF.sub.4.sup.-, PF.sub.6.sup.-, PO.sub.4.sup.3-, AsF.sub.6.sup.-, SbCl.sub.6.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.2-, HSO.sub.4.sup.-, alkyl--SO.sub.3.sup.-, perfluoroalkyl--SO.sub.3.sup.-, aryl--SO.sub.3, F.sup.- or Cl.sup.-, andn is an integer from 4 to 100 andm is an integer from 1 to 30.

Abstract: The novel liquid-crystalline mixtures (in the case of ferroelectric behavior they additionally contain an optically active compound as dope) are constructed from at least 2 mixture components of the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein n=6 to 14 and x=2 to 14. In addition, the mixtures may also contain cyclohexanecarboxylates of the general formula (II) ##STR2## where R.sup.1 =(C.sub.10 -C.sub.16) or (C.sub.8 -C.sub.14)alkoxy and R.sup.2 =(C.sub.2 -C.sub.9)alkyl, alkenyloxyphenylpyrimidine derivatives of the general formula (III) ##STR3## where R.sup.3 =(C.sub.7 -C.sub.16)alkyl or (C.sub.6 -C.sub.14)alkoxy and y=4-14, and/or alkoxyphenyl derivatives of alkylpyrimidine, of the general formula (IV) ##STR4## where m and p=6 to 14.

Abstract: Optically active oxirane-2-carboxylic acid esters with a mesogenic molecular component suitable as dopants in liquid-crystal mixtures. They result in liquid-crystalline ferroelectric phases with short switching times and in electroclinic phases with large electroclinic coefficients. A further advantage lies in the fact that they induce a helix with a very small pitch so that they are also suitable for helix compensation in LC mixtures.

Abstract: Use of compounds or mixtures of compounds which have a chiral, orthogonal, more highly ordered smectic phase in the range of said phase as switching or indicating medium.Compounds which have a chiral, orthogonal, more highly ordered smectic phase, in particular an S.sub.B * or an S.sub.E * phase, can be used in the range of said phase or phases as indicating or switching medium in electro-optical indicating or switching components (devices) which are based on the exploitation of the electroclinic effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal mixtures and compounds. The invention also relates to electro-optical devices incorporating these mixtures.

Abstract: The compounds of the general formula (I) ##STR1## are particularly highly suitable as components of smectic, liquid-crystal mixtures, the symbols having the following meaning: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 denote identical or different, straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl groups which can contain asymmetric carbon atoms, containing 2 to 16 carbon atoms, in which one or more non-adjacent --CH.sub.2 -- groups can be replaced by --O-- and/or --S--, --A and --B each denote group ##STR2## in which the radicals R.sup.1, R.sup.2, in each case, are situated at the phenylene part of --A, --B and m and n denote 0 or 1, but m+n is always zero or 1.

Abstract: Liquid-crystal 5-phenylpyrmidine derivatives having S.sub.c or S.sup.*.sub.c phases and a process for preparing them. The new liquid-crystal 5-phenylpyrimidine derivatives have an S.sub.c or S.sup.*.sub.c phase and are described by the general formula (I) ##STR1## in which the symbols have the following meaning: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 denote identical or different, straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl groups having from k to 16 carbon atoms, with or without an asymmetric carbon atom, in which one or more non-adjacent --CH.sub.2 -- groups can be replaced by --O-- and /or --S----A and --B each denote ##STR2## in which the radicals R.sup.1, R.sup.2, in each case, are situated at the phenylene part of --A, --B andm and n denote 0 or 1, but m and n do not simultaneously denote 1, with the following provisos:(a) if m=n=0, k is 8, and in R.sup.2 the --CH.sub.2 -- group adjacent to the phenyl nucleus is replaced by --O--;(b) if m=1 and n=0, k is 2, and(c) if m=0 and n=1, k is 2 and in R.sup.2 the --CH.sub.

Abstract: Liquid-crystalline phenylpyrimidinyl cyclohexanecarboxylates having a smectic phase, a process for their preparation, and their use in liquid-crystal mixtures The phenylpyrimidinyl trans-cyclohexanecarboxylates of the general formula ##STR1## form a smectic C phase besides a relatively broad nematic phase when R.sup.1 denotes an alkyl radical having 10 to 16 carbon atoms, in particular 11 to 16 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy radical having 8 to 14 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 denotes an alkyl radical having 2 to 9 carbon atoms. They are therefore particularly suitable as components of liquid-crystalline mixtures having a smectic C phase since they induce a relatively broad nematic phase or extend a narrow nematic phase which is present and extend the temperature range of the smectic C phase to low temperatures, but in particular to high temperatures.

Abstract: The invention involves a novel method of increasing the efficiency of a thermal engine. Heat is generated by a non-linear chemical reaction of reactants, said heat being transferred to a thermal engine such as Rankine cycle power plant. The novel method includes externally perturbing one or more of the thermodynamic variables of said non-linear chemical reaction.