Abstract: A polymer film comprising at least two layers, wherein each layer comprises a compound comprising the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected organic groups. A method of making a polymer film comprising the steps of: providing a monomer solution comprising one or more monomers comprising the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected organic groups; dispensing the monomer solution onto a substrate; heating the monomer solution on the substrate to polymerize the monomer; and repeating the steps of providing a monomer solution, dispensing, and heating one or more times, wherein the spin-coating is performed on top of the prior spin-coated layer.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided using a mixture of a solvent, a monomer, an oxidizing agent, and a moderator. The mixture is coated on a substrate and heated to initiate oxidative polymerization. At least one of three process conditions is used: the solvent having a boiling point in excess of about 120° C.; the total concentration of the monomer, the oxidizing agent, and the moderator being at least about 40% by weight; and the molar concentration of the moderator being greater than the molar concentration of the monomer.

Abstract: A compound comprising the formula: wherein R1 is a fluorinated organic group and R2 and R3 are independently selected organic groups. A compound comprising the formula: wherein R1 is a fluorinated organic group and R2 and R3 are independently selected organic groups.

Abstract: A new class of mesogenic compounds has the formula: where R1 is an ester (—COO—) group; R2 is H, NO2, CN, F, or Cl; R3 is H, CH2═CH, or (CH3)3Si; k is 1 or 2; q is 0 or 1; m is from 2 to 16; n is from 2 to 12; r is from 0 to n−1 (but not greater than 3 or 4); s=1 when r=0, s=0 when r≠0; x is from 0 to 4; and * denotes the position of a chiral carbon. Compounds within this class will have a smectic A* phase, and in some cases a smectic C* phase. Mixtures including one or more of these mesogenic compounds will be useful for a variety of applications.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups and compounds useful for preparing such surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: Patterned conducting polymer surfaces exhibiting excellent properties may be prepared by:(a) forming a surface of a conducting polymer on a surface of a substrate;(b) forming a surface of a blocking material on said surface of said conducting polymer in a pattern-wise fashion, to obtain a first patterned surface containing regions of exposed conducting polymer and regions of blocking material;(c) treating said first patterned surface with an agent which: (i) removes said conducting polymer from said regions of exposed conducting polymer; (ii) decreases the conductivity of said conducting polymer in said regions of exposed conducting polymer; or (iii) increases the conductivity of said conducting polymer in said regions of exposed conducting polymer; and(d) removing said blocking material to obtain a second patterned surface containing an exposed pattern of conducting polymer.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups.

Abstract: Conducting substrate for use in display device having a conducting polymer on the surface of a rigid or flexible, flat, curved or bent substrate.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups.

Abstract: Devices in which a Langmuir-Blodgett film of a liquid crystal polymer is disposed between electrodes on the surface of a substrate exhibit fast ferroelectric switching in response to an electric field generated by the electrodes, and Langmuir-Blodgett films of a liquid crystal polymer exhibit pyroelectric properties even at thicknesses below 10-15 .mu.m.

Abstract: Liquid crystal polymers containing 0.1 to 0.9 mole % of repeating units bing a mesogenic side group and 0.1 to 0.9 mole % of repeating units which do not bear a mesogenic side group in which the mesogenic side group has the formula:--(CH.sub.2).sub.n O--R.sub.1 --X--R.sub.2R.sub.1 is 1,4-phenylene or 4,4'-biphenylene;X is --COO-- or --OCO--;R.sub.2 is ##STR1## wherein k is 0 or 1, * indicates an optically active center;Z is NO.sub.2, F, or Cl;R.sub.3 is C.sub.l H.sub.2l+1, --*CH(CH.sub.3)C.sub.p H.sub.2p+1 --CH.sub.2 C.sub.q F.sub.2q+1, --*CH(CH.sub.3)COOC.sub.t H.sub.2t+1 (wherein l and p are each independently an integer of from 1 to 10 and q and t are each independently an integer of from 1 to 6); and n is an integer of 4 to 12;exhibit fast response times.