Abstract: Optical films are described that comprise an antistatic primer disposed on the substrate and a high refractive index layer disposed on the primer. The primer comprises a sulfopolymer and at least one antistatic agent. The high refractive index layer comprises surface modified inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. The antistatic agent is preferably selected from conductive inorganic particles, conductive polymer, and mixtures thereof. Also describes are antistatic compositions and surface treated conductive inorganic oxide particles.

Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal compositions are disclosed that produce high clarity cholesteric liquid crystal films. The cholesteric liquid crystal compositions are a reaction product of a cholesteric liquid crystal compound of formula (I) R—R1—R2R3R4nR5—R6??(I) as defined herein, and a thiol compound.

Abstract: Reflective polarizing films and brightness enhancing films comprising a preferably durable antireflective film.

Abstract: Antireflective films are described having a surface layer comprising a the reaction product of a polymerizable low refractive index composition comprising at least one fluorinated free-radically polymerizable material and surface modified inorganic nanoparticles. A high refractive index layer is coupled to the low refractive index layer. In one emboidiment, the high refractive index layer comprises surface modified inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. The antireflective film is preferably durable, exhibiting a haze of less than 1.0% after 25 wipes with steel wool using a 3.2 cm mandrel and a mass of 1000 grams.

Abstract: Antireflective film articles and low refractive index coating compositions are described that comprises a fluorinated free-radically polymerizable polymeric (e.g. intermediate) material. The free-radically polymerizable fluorinated polymeric intermediate comprises the reaction product of i) at least one multi-functional free-radically polymerizable material having a fluorine content of at least 25 wt-%, and ii) optionally other multi-functional free-radically polymerizable material. The total amount of multi-functional materials is preferably at least about 25 wt-%.

Abstract: An optical body includes a substrate and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer disposed on the substrate. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer has a non-uniform pitch along a thickness direction of the layer and comprises a crosslinked polymer material that substantially fixes the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The crosslinking hinders diffusion of cholesteric liquid crystal material within the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. In other methods of making an optical body, a reservoir of chiral material is provided during the process over a first cholesteric liquid crystal layer to diffuse into the layer and provide a non-uniform pitch. Alternatively, two coating compositions can be disposed on a substrate where the material of the first coating composition is not substantially soluble in the second coating composition.

Abstract: A method includes exposing an alignment material to an interference pattern to cause a chemical reaction in the alignment material and exposing the alignment material to a liquid crystal, where the liquid crystal aligns relative to the alignment material based on the interference pattern.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal composition includes a) a cholesteric liquid crystal compound or a cholesteric liquid crystal precursor; and b) a compound of formula (I), formula (II) or formula (III): where, n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; m is 1, 2, or 3; R is an acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, isocyanate, epoxy, or silane; R1 is a (C3–C8) alkylene, (C3–C8) alkenylene, or (C3–C8) alkylyne; R2 is a bond, —O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—, —OC(O)O—, —C(O)N—, —CH?N—, —N?CH—, or —NC(O)—; R3 is a cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, heterocyclylene, arylene, or hetroarylene; R4 is a bond, (C1–C8) alkylene, (C2–C8) alkenylene, (C2–C8) alkylyne, carbonyl, —O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—, —OC(O)O—, —C(O)N—, —CH?N—, —N?CH—, or —NC(O)—; R5 is a bond, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, hetrocyclylene, arylene, or hetroarylene; R6 is hydrogen, cyano, halo, (C1–C8) alkoxy, (C1–C8) alkyl, nitro, amino, carboxy, mercapto, (C1–C4)thioalkyl, COCH3, CF3, OCF3, or SCF3; R7 is a (C1–C2) alkylene, (C2) alkenylene, or (C2) alkylyne; R8 is is hydrogen, halo, (C1–C8)

Abstract: The invention provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor, and at least one non-liquid crystalline additive that is a non-liquid crystalline compound of formula I The invention also provides cholesteric liquid crystal films and optical bodies formed from cholesteric liquid crystal compositions of the invention. The invention further provides an optical display that includes a display medium, and a reflective polarizer including a cholesteric liquid crystal composition in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The method of making an optical body includes coating a mixture that includes a plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal compositions, and a solvent on a substrate. Each cholesteric liquid crystal composition is different. A plurality of layers is formed on the substrate. Each layer includes a majority of one of the cholesteric liquid crystal compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor, and at least one non-liquid crystalline additive that is a non-liquid crystalline compound of formula I The invention also provides cholesteric liquid crystal films and optical bodies formed from cholesteric liquid crystal compositions of the invention. The invention further provides an optical display that includes a display medium, and a reflective polarizer including a cholesteric liquid crystal composition in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C. so that the cholesteric liquid crystal composition has at least 80% solids remaining. The invention also provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C., wherein the drying is accomplished using a technique that provides little or no airflow. The invention further provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor and 1,3-dioxolane.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C. so that the cholesteric liquid crystal composition has at least 80% solids remaining. The invention also provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C., wherein the drying is accomplished using a technique that provides little or no airflow. The invention further provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor and 1,3-dioxolane.

Abstract: The invention provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor, and at least one non-liquid crystalline additive that is a non-liquid crystalline compound of formula I 1

Abstract: The method of making an optical body includes coating a mixture that includes a plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal compositions, and a solvent on a substrate. Each cholesteric liquid crystal composition is different. A plurality of layers is formed on the substrate. Each layer includes a majority of one of the cholesteric liquid crystal compositions.

Abstract: An alignment structure useful in a liquid crystal display device comprising a substrate having disposed thereon an oriented film of a lyotropic nematic liquid crystalline material. Particularly useful lyotropic materials include a class of nematic liquid crystalline compounds known as chromonics. The substrates can be made by coating the lyotropic liquid crystal material onto the substrate to provide an oriented film of the lyotropic material. The alignment structure can also include one or more polarizing dyes or other additives and can thus be made to perform polarizing, retarding and/or color filtering functions in addition to alignment and orientation functions. Optical devices containing such alignment structures and methods of making such devices are also described.

Abstract: An alignment structure useful in a liquid crystal display device comprising a substrate having disposed thereon an oriented film of a lyotropic nematic liquid crystalline material. Particularly useful lyotropic materials include a class of nematic liquid crystalline compounds known as chromonics. The substrates can be made by coating the lyotropic liquid crystal material onto the substrate to provide an oriented film of the lyotropic material. The alignment structure can also include one or more polarizing dyes or other additives and can thus be made to perform polarizing, retarding and/or color filtering functions in addition to alignment and orientation functions. Optical devices containing such alignment structures and methods of making such devices are also described.

Abstract: An alignment structure useful in a liquid crystal display device comprising a substrate having disposed thereon an oriented film of a lyotropic nematic liquid crystalline material. Particularly useful lyotropic materials include a class of nematic liquid crystalline compounds known as chromonics. The substrates can be made by coating the lyotropic liquid crystal material onto the substrate to provide an oriented film of the lyotropic material. The alignment structure can also include one or more polarizing dyes or other additives and can thus be made to perform polarizing, retarding and/or color filtering functions in addition to alignment and orientation functions. Optical devices containing such alignment structures and methods of making such devices are also described.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing, chiral liquid crystal compounds comprise (a) a chiral fluorochemical terminal portion comprising (i) at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; (ii) a terminal fluoroalkyl, fluoroether, perfluoroalkyl, or perfluoroether group; and (iii) an alkylene or fluoroalkylene group optionally containing at least one catenary ether oxygen atom; (b) a chiral or achiral terminal portion consisting of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon ether group, and, when chiral, comprising at least one chiral center, which can optionally be heteroatom-substituted; and (c) a central core connecting the terminal portions; the alkylene or fluoroalkylene group of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion having at least 3 in-chain atoms and being located between the chiral center of the chiral fluorochemical terminal portion and the central core. The compounds have smectic mesophases or latent smectic mesophases and are useful, for example, in liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: Novel liquid crystal compounds are provided which exhibit less temperature dependent switching properties, for the reliable and consistent operation of liquid crystal devices. The liquid crystal compounds comprise (a) an achiral fluorochemical terminal portion that comprises a terminal fluoroalkyl, fluoroether, perfluoroalkyl, or perfluoroether group; a chiral terminal portion comprising a saturated or unsaturated chiral hydrocarbon or chiral hydrocarbon ether group comprising a chiral center; and a central core connecting the terminal portions; said chiral terminal portion having at least three in-chain atoms (an "extended group") between said chiral center of the chiral terminal portion and said central core.