Abstract: A structurally supported LCD media comprising: an initial structural layer; a plurality of addressable layers, each of which having predetermined optical properties, and the layers have LC there-between and have narrow conductive pathways on opposing faces which respectively address a predetermined LC volume between the pathways, and the pathways are respectively accessible for interconnection with a LC electric pulse driving means; a final structural layer being of predetermined optically transparency to frequencies of light scattered by at least one of the other layers; and means for sealing the initial layer to the final layer with the addressable layers there-between.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a film that includes at least one layer of anisotropic polymer material. The method can include polymerizing a mixture of a filtered polymerizable mesogenic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical compensator for liquid crystal displays comprising at least one O plate retarder, and at least one twisted A plate retarder with a twist angle ? of more than 90°, and further relates to a liquid crystal display comprising such a compensator.

Abstract: Homeotropically oriented layers and films of liquid crystals especially on polymeric substrates. The layers and films, which also can be multi-layered films comprising a homeotropically aligned anisotropic film, are preparable by application of an orientation layer to the substrate. The orientation layer can be either an organic surfactant which is fixed in a matrix of a polymeric material or an inorganic thin layer such as aluminum or Al2O3.

Abstract: The invention relates to multireactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds of formula I R1-MG-R2 ??I wherein R1, R2 and MG have the meaning given in claim 1, to a polymerizable mesogenic composition comprising at least two components, at least one which is a compound of formula 1, to a linear or crosslinked polymer obtainable by polymerization of one or more compounds of formula I or of a polymerizable composition comprising one or more compounds of formula I and to the use of a compound of formula I, or a polymerizable composition or polymer obtainable thereof, in optical elements such as polarizers, optical retardation or compensation films, alignment layers, colour filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal displays such as PDLC, polymer gel or polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (PSCT) displays, in adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetics, diagnostics or liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, and for nonlinear optics or optical i

Abstract: The invention relates to multireactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds of formula I R1—MG—R2 I wherein R1, R2 and MG have the meaning given in claim 1, to a polymerizable mesogenic composition comprising at least two components, at least one which is a compound of formula I, to a linear or crosslinked polymer obtainable by polymerization of one or more compounds of formula I or of a polymerizable composition comprising one or more compounds of formula I and to the use of a compound of formula I, or a polymerizable composition or polymer obtainable thereof, in optical elements such as polarizers, optical retardation or compensation films, alignment layers, colour filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal displays such as PDLC, polymer gel or polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (PSCT) displays, in adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetics, diagnostics or liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, and for nonlinear optics or optical info

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising an alignment layer; and chemically bound to said alignment layer, a transport material. Also provided are methods for forming the liquid crystal alignment layer and the use thereof in displays for electronic apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer comprising a polymerized liquid crystal material with homeotrophic orientation, to methods of its preparation, to polymerizable liquid crystal compositions and liquid crystal polymers used for the preparation of the alignment layer, to liquid crystal devices comprising the alignment layer, and to a method of controlling the electrooptical steepness of a liquid crystal display comprising at least one alignment layer by varying the surface anchoring energy of the alignment layer.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a cholesteric liquid crystal display device comprising a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material contained between two substrates, each substrate carrying an electrode layer so that the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material is interposed between the electrode layers. A piezoelectric element is electrically connected to the electrode layers of the cholesteric liquid crystal display device. The piezoelectric element is capable of being manually activated to generate a drive signal which is sufficient to switch the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material from the planar state to the focal conic state. The substrates are arranged to allow the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material to be sheared to switch the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material from the focal conic state to the planar state by manual compression of the cholesteric liquid crystal display device. Thus the display device can be switched without the need for a battery or other power source.

Abstract: An electric starter for an internal combustion engine comprises a switch (1) connectable to the starter motor of the engine, an actuator (3) for actuating the switch, and a removable operating element (4) for operating the actuator. The actuator (4) is a push-button actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to multireactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds of formula I R1—MG—R2I wherein R1, R2 and MG have the meaning given in claim 1, to a polymerizable mesogenic composition comprising at least two components, at least one which is a compound of formula I, to a linear or crosslinked polymer obtainable by polymerization of one or more compounds of formula I or of a polymerizable composition comprising one or more compounds of formula I and to the use of a compound of formula I, or a polymerizable composition or polymer obtainable thereof, in optical elements such as polarizers, optical retardation or compensation films, alignment layers, colour filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal displays such as PDLC, polymer gel or polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (PSCT) displays, in adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetics, diagnostics or liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, and for nonlinear optics or optical infor

Abstract: A distinct color LCD apparatus including at least two layers of respectively disparate encapsulated liquid crystal materials; Structural means for maintaining said layers proximate to each other and in a substantially parallel orientation; Electrically conductive means for addressing at least one substantially parallel address across the encapsulated liquid crystal material in each of the respective layers; and Coordinated with said means for addressing, an electrical pulse driving means (I) wherein a state is selected from the list Homeouopre and planar and (U) whereby said state is communicated to a predetermined address between one of said parallel layers.

Abstract: A self-propelled robot is disclosed for movement over a surface to be treated. The robot has a power supply (11) and a pair of wheels (8,9) driven by motors (6,7) for moving the robot over the surface. A mechanism (113,115,16) is provided for controllably depositing a fluent material on to the surface. Navigation sensors (4,13,18,21) provide signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the surface and one or more detectors (14,15,17) detect the presence of the material on the surface and provide signals indicative of its presence. A control system (100) receives the signals from the sensors and detectors and controls the motors and the depositing mechanism in dependence upon the signals received from the sensors and detectors.

Abstract: Novel phenylcyclohexanes of the formula I in which n is 0 to 7, Q1 and Q2 are H, or one of these radicals is alternatively CH3, r is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, A is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene or a single bond, X is F, Cl, —CF3, —CN, —OCF3 or —OCHF2, and Y and Z are each, independently of one another, H or F, with the proviso that, in the case where A is a single bond, Q1=Q2=H and simultaneously X=CN, Y and/or Z are F.

Abstract: A self-propelled robot is disclosed for movement over a surface to be treated. The robot has a power supply and a pair of wheels driven by motors for moving the robot over the surface. A mechanism is provided for controllably depositing a fluent material on to the surface. Navigation sensors provide signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the surface and one or more detectors detect the presence of the material on the surface and provide signals indicative of its presence. A control system receives the signals from the sensors and detectors and controls the motors and the depositing mechanism in dependence upon the signals received from the sensors and detectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer comprising a polymerized liquid crystal material with homeotrophic orientation, to methods of its preparation, to polymerizable liquid crystal compositions and liquid crystal polymers used for the preparation of the alignment layer, to liquid crystal devices comprising the alignment layer, and to a method of controlling the electrooptical steepness of a liquid crystal display comprising at least one alignment layer by varying the surface anchoring energy of the alignment layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a film that includes at least one layer of anisotropic polymer material. The method can include polymerizing a mixture of a filtered polymerizable mesogenic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical compensator for liquid crystal displays comprising: at least one O plate retarder (3, 3?), and at least one twisted A plate retarder (6, 6?) with a twist angle ? of more than 90°, and further relates to a liquid crystal display comprising such a compensator, a liquid crystal cell (1) and polarizers (2, 2?).

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical compensator for liquid crystal displays comprising at least one O plate retarder, and at least one twisted A plate retarder with a twist angle ? of more than 90°, and further relates to a liquid crystal display comprising such a compensator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of optical elements comprising at least one optical retardation film and at least one broadband reflective polarizer, characterized in that the optical retardation film is comprising at least one layer of an anisotropic polymer material having an optical symmetry axis substantially parallel to the plane of the layer, said optical retardation film being obtainable by polymerization of a mixture of a polymerizable mesogenic material comprising: a) at least one reactive mesogen having at least one polymerizable functional group; b) an initiator, c) optionally a non-mesogenic compound having two or more polymerizable functional groups; and d) optionally a stabilizer; and relates to an optical retardation film used in said combination of optical elements and to a liquid crystal display comprising said combination of optical elements.