Abstract: The present invention relates to a photo-polymerized, patterned or unpatterned liquid crystal polymer, especially a liquid crystal polymer film or a liquid crystal polymer network, comprising thio-ether units of formula (I) * covalent bond, which links the unit of formula (I) to the residue of the polymer wherein LC1 is selected from the group of liquid crystal residues, X1 is selected from the group of aliphatic organic residues, and n1 is an integer ?0 and m1 is an integer ?0; with the proviso that if n1 is 0, then m1 is >0, and if m1 is 0, then n1>0; which is prepared in an atmosphere containing oxygen, preferably with an amount of 0.1?oxygen 50%, more preferably 1?oxygen?25%, most preferably in air; with the proviso that polymer dispersed liquid crystals are excluded. Further, this invention relates to a composition used for the preparation of that photo-polymerized liquid crystal polymer of the invention, to processes of the preparation of that liquid crystal polymer and to its use.

Abstract: Composition comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer to which a photochemically isomerizable or dimerizable molecule is covalently bonded, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer to which a sensitizer is covalently bonded, are outstandingly suitable for producing polymeric alignment layers for liquid crystals.

Abstract: A diamine compound of formula (I) is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound.

Abstract: The present invention concerns functionalized photoreactive compounds of formula (I), that are particularly useful in materials for the alignment of liquid crystals. Due to the adjunction of an electron withdrawing group to specific molecular systems bearing an unsaturation directly attached to two unsaturated ring systems, exceptionally high photosensitivities, excellent alignment properties as well as good mechanical robustness could be achieved in materials comprising said functionalized photoreactive compounds of the invention.

Abstract: Composition comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer to which a photochemically isomerizable or dimerizable molecule is covalently bonded, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer to which a sensitizer is covalently bonded, are outstandingly suitable for producing polymeric alignment layers for liquid crystals.

Abstract: A method is described of producing thin layers (below 10 ?m in thickness) by directing droplets (preferably by inkjet printing techniques) onto precise locations on a substrate, the liquid of the droplets having a viscosity such that the droplets, on impact with the substrate, spread out to form relics on the substrate that are at least 1.4 times the diameter of the droplets in flight, adjacent droplets merging to form a continuous layer on the substrate. The droplets may have different compositions to form images within the layer. Successive layers may be added to built up a three dimensional structure whose properties can be tailored by the compositions used to build up a composite.

Abstract: Copolymers composed of (a) at least one monomer from the group of acrylates, methacrylates, acrylamides and methacrylamides, to each of which is bonded covalently, directly or via a bridging group, a photochemically isomerizable or dimerizable molecule, (b) at least one polyoxyalkyl ester or one polyoxyalkylamide of an ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid, or one polyoxyalkyl ether of an ethylenically unsaturated alcohol, and (c) optionally, other ethylenically unsaturated comonomers are outstandingly suitable as alignment layers for liquid crystals.