Abstract: A polymer-dispersed blue-phase (PDBP) liquid crystal film is formed from a polymer-based latex and blue-phase liquid crystals that are combined using an emulsification process or a polymerization-induced phase separation process. The resultant PDBP liquid crystal film includes droplets formed by the polymer-based latex that encapsulate the blue-phase liquid crystals therein, so as to allow the blue-phase liquid crystals to have a blue phase at room temperature. As such, the PDBP liquid crystal film is conducive for use in manufacturing processes, such as LCD (liquid crystal display) manufacturing processes, while providing desirable optical features, such as field-induced birefringence at low switching voltages.

Abstract: A surface polymer-assisted vertically aligned (SPA-VA) liquid crystal (LC) cell has a surface alignment layer of surface localized polymer nano spikes capable of controlling the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules and ensuring fast switching characteristics. The deposition of the polymer nanospikes as a part of the alignment layer is achieved by polymerizing a small amount of a reactive monomer in vertically aligned liquid crystal with or without an applied voltage. Due to the alignment of liquid crystal molecules by the surface alignment layers, the polymerized polymer acts as an internal surface to modify and control the field-induced reorientation of the liquid crystal molecules. The SPA-VA LC cell realizes a stable alignment and the considerable advantage of the formation of polymer spikes via UV irradiation on both substrates of the cell. Furthermore, the switch-off of a SPA-VA is fast due to the enhanced surface anchoring strength by the surface-localized polymer nano spikes.

Abstract: A polymer-dispersed blue-phase (PDBP) liquid crystal film is formed from a polymer-based latex and blue-phase liquid crystals that are combined using an emulsification process or a polymerization-induced phase separation process. The resultant PDBP liquid crystal film includes droplets formed by the polymer-based latex that encapsulate the blue-phase liquid crystals therein, so as to allow the blue-phase liquid crystals to have a blue phase at room temperature. As such, the PDBP liquid crystal film is conducive for use in manufacturing processes, such as LCD (liquid crystal display) manufacturing processes, while providing desirable optical features, such as field-induced birefringence at low switching voltages.

Abstract: A surface-stabilized in-plane switching (SS-IPS) liquid crystal (LCD) cell includes a pair of spaced substrates that include alignment layers disposed thereon. The alignment layers are treated to define a first director orientation. Disposed between the alignment layers is a liquid crystal material that contains polymer fibrils that are disposed upon each of the alignment layers. The polymer fibrils serve to maintain the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules in the first director orientation when no voltage is applied to the LCD cell via interdigitated electrodes disposed upon the alignment layers, thus improving the dynamic response of the SS-IPS LCD cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal (LC) composition, a LC cell thereof, and a LC device thereof. The LC composition comprises (i) a mixture of two or more nematic liquid crystals, and (ii) at least one chiral dopant. The mixture of the liquid crystals can exist in a blue phase within a temperature range of from about 12-60° C. such as 21-28° C. The LC device can be a blue phase mode liquid crystal display (BPLCD) based on such a room-temperature blue phase LC. The BPLCD requires no alignment, and it exhibits merits such as a fast switching time (e.g. sub-millisecond), a low switching voltage and a large field-induced birefringence, among others.

Abstract: A surface-stabilized in-plane switching (SS-IPS) liquid crystal (LCD) cell includes a pair of spaced substrates that include alignment layers disposed thereon. The alignment layers are treated to define a first director orientation. Disposed between the alignment layers is a liquid crystal material that contains polymer fibrils that are disposed upon each of the alignment layers. The polymer fibrils serve to maintain the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules in the first director orientation when no voltage is applied to the LCD cell via interdigitated electrodes disposed upon the alignment layers, thus improving the dynamic response of the SS-IPS LCD cell.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a fumed metal-oxide gel, such as fumed silica gel, that is dispersed into a blue-phase liquid crystal. Adding the fumed silica nanoparticles in blue-phase media leads to the broadening of the blue-phase temperature range and reduces the switching voltage. Additionally, the polarity-controlled nanoparticles of the fumed silica enable the stabilization of thermal-sensitive Bragg reflection property of the blue-phase liquid crystals, which allows their use in active optical elements and fast-switching LCDs.

Abstract: A composition including nanocomposites formed from blue phase liquid crystals that are stabilized with dopants and nanorods such as metallic nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes. Devices including the compositions are disclosed that provide increases temperature ranges as well as reduction in threshold voltage and turn on voltage, in addition to the inherent blue phase liquid crystal properties of sub-millisecond response time in the field induced Kerr effect.

Abstract: A method of preparing liquid crystal alignment films using an inkjet printer to control liquid crystal alignment is disclosed. The alignment ink is formulated from a single alignment material or combination of alignment materials to realize desired pretilt angle. The alignment films can be applied with designed patterns of alignment films of different pretilt angle on at least one substrate to achieve pattern-aligned liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: A surface polymer-assisted vertically aligned (SPA-VA) liquid crystal (LC) cell has a surface alignment layer of surface localized polymer nano spikes capable of controlling the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules and ensuring fast switching characteristics. The deposition of the polymer nanospikes as a part of the alignment layer is achieved by polymerizing a small amount of a reactive monomer in vertically aligned liquid crystal with or without an applied voltage. Due to the alignment of liquid crystal molecules by the surface alignment layers, the polymerized polymer acts as an internal surface to modify and control the field-induced reorientation of the liquid crystal molecules. The SPA-VA LC cell realizes a stable alignment and the considerable advantage of the formation of polymer spikes via UV irradiation on both substrates of the cell. Furthermore, the switch-off of a SPA-VA is fast due to the enhanced surface anchoring strength by the surface-localized polymer nano spikes.

Abstract: A composition including nanocomposites formed from blue phase liquid crystals that are stabilized with dopants and nanorods such as metallic nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes. Devices including the compositions are disclosed that provide increases temperature ranges as well as reduction, in threshold voltage and turn on voltage, in addition to the inherent blue phase liquid crystal properties of sub-millisecond response time in the field induced Kerr effect.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal (LC) composition, a LC cell thereof, and a LC device thereof. The LC composition comprises (i) a mixture of two or more nematic liquid crystals, and (ii) at least one chiral dopant. The mixture of the liquid crystals can exist in a blue phase within a temperature range of from about 12-60° C. such as 21-28° C. The LC device can be a blue phase mode liquid crystal display (HPLCD) based on such a room-temperature blue phase LC. The HPLCD requires no alignment, and it exhibits merits such as a fast switching time (e.g. sub-millisecond), a low switching voltage and a large field-induced birefringence, among others.

Abstract: A method of preparing liquid crystal alignment films using an inkjet printer to control liquid crystal alignment is disclosed. The alignment ink is formulated from a single alignment material or combination of alignment materials to realize desired pretilt angle. The alignment films can be applied with designed patterns of alignment films of different pretilt angle on at least one substrate to achieve pattern-aligned liquid crystal devices.