Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a liquid crystal alignment layer between the substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and a barrier layer between the liquid crystal alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer. A second substrate also includes a liquid crystal alignment layer an a barrier layer formed over the liquid crystal alignment layer. In a particular embodiment, the substrate is a reflective display backplane, and the second substrate is a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode layer. The barrier layers protect the liquid crystal alignment layers from contamination due to the adsorption and/or absorption of impurities. In an example embodiment, the barrier layer is formed using a silane or a silizane reagent. Optionally, the surface of the liquid crystal alignment layer is plasma cleaned prior to or instead of forming the barrier layer.

Abstract: Detection apparatus for use in the detection of the presence of a selected pathogen in a sample are disclosed. Such apparatus include: a substrate with a detection region on a surface thereof, the detection region having microstructures including grooves formed therein that will align liquid crystal material in contact therewith, the width and depth of the grooves being in the range of 10 ?m or less; a blocking layer on the surface of the detection region of the substrate that does not disrupt the alignment of liquid crystal material in contact therewith, the blocking layer blocking nonspecific adsorption of pathogens to the surface; and a binding agent on the surface of the detection region of the substrate, the binding agent specifically binding the selected pathogen.