Abstract: A liquid crystal device (400) is provided comprising: a liquid crystal layer having a thickness and comprising: a liquid crystal material; and a plurality of polymer structures (414a, 414b) comprising polymerised liquid crystal material. Each polymer structure (414a, 414b) is located at a different depth in the thickness of the liquid crystal layer. Electrodes are provided configured to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer. Each polymer structure (414a, 414b) has a different selected locked-in liquid crystal state.

Abstract: A device (100) for speckle reduction, comprising an optical cell (110) and a controller (130). The optical cell (110) comprises a first and second cell wall (121, 122) spaced apart by a gap, and a liquid crystal composition (114) in the gap. The controller (130) is configured to cause fluid turbulence in the liquid crystal composition. The fluid turbulence in the liquid crystal composition (114) results in time varying spatially random scattering of light (102) transmitted through the liquid crystal composition (114). The liquid crystal composition (114) has a chiral nematic phase.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, PDLC, film, the method comprising: forming a region of liquid polymer (206) on a substrate (212); depositing one or more liquid crystal, LC, formulations (214) into the liquid polymer; and thereafter curing (234) the liquid polymer (206) to thereby induce phase separation between the polymer (206) and the liquid crystal formulations (214), resulting in PDLC pixels (236) which are phase separated from the surrounding, cured polymer—thereby producing a PDLC film.

Abstract: A device for modulation of light (16) having a wavelength, comprising: a first substrate (10) with a first face (81) and a second opposite face (82), and comprising a first electrode (11); a second substrate (20) adjacent to the second face (82) and defining a gap between the first and second substrate (10, 20), the second substrate (20) comprising a second electrode (21); a responsive liquid crystal layer (15) disposed in the gap, wherein the responsive liquid crystal layer (15) has a flexoelectro-optic chiral nematic phase, and is birefringent with an optic axis that tilts in response to an applied electric field between the first and second electrode (11, 21); and a mirror adjacent to the second substrate (20), the mirror configured to reflect incident circular polarised light while preserving its handedness.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, PDLC, film, the method comprising: forming a region of liquid polymer (206) on a substrate (212); depositing one or more liquid crystal, LC, formulations (214) into the liquid polymer; and thereafter curing (234) the liquid polymer (206) to thereby induce phase separation between the polymer (206) and the liquid crystal formulations (214), resulting in PDLC pixels (236) which are phase separated from the surrounding, cured polymer—thereby producing a PDLC film.

Abstract: A device for modulation of light (16) having a wavelength, comprising: a first substrate (10) with a first face (81) and a second opposite face (82), and comprising a first electrode (11); a second substrate (20) adjacent to the second face (82) and defining a gap between the first and second substrate (10, 20), the second substrate (20) comprising a second electrode (21); a responsive liquid crystal layer (15) disposed in the gap, wherein the responsive liquid crystal layer (15) has a flexoelectro-optic chiral nematic phase, and is birefringent with an optic axis that tilts in response to an applied electric field between the first and second electrode (11, 21); and a minor adjacent to the second substrate (20), the minor configured to reflect incident circular polarised light while preserving its handedness.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for authenticating a product. The method comprises: receiving a verification code associated with the product; applying an electric field to a liquid crystal device (100) located in or on the product, the liquid crystal device (100) comprising: a first substrate (105); a second substrate (110) spaced apart from the first substrate (105); a liquid crystal composition (115) located between the first substrate (105) and the second substrate (110); wherein the liquid crystal composition (115) comprises one or more regions (120) of polymerised liquid crystal composition; and a first electrode (125) and a second electrode (130) configured to apply the electric field; comparing a display output by the liquid crystal device (100) in response to the application of the electric field to the verification code associated with the product; wherein, if the display output by the liquid crystal device (100) matches the verification code associated with the product, the product is authenticated.

Abstract: A device (100) for speckle reduction, comprising an optical cell (110) and a controller (130). The optical cell (110) comprises a first and second cell wall (121, 122) spaced apart by a gap, and a liquid crystal composition (114) in the gap. The controller (130) is configured to cause fluid turbulence in the liquid crystal composition. The fluid turbulence in the liquid crystal composition (114) results in time varying spatially random scattering of light (102) transmitted through the liquid crystal composition (114). The liquid crystal composition (114) has a chiral nematic phase.

Abstract: A method of making a liquid crystal device is provided, the method comprising (i) providing a cell containing a mixture of a liquid crystal and pre-polymer (ii) applying a stimulus to arrange the liquid crystal in a first predetermined state and (iii) subsequent to, or contemporaneously with, step (ii), causing the pre-polymer to form polymer when the liquid crystal is in a second predetermined state, wherein steps (ii) and (iii) are performed a plurality of times.

Abstract: A method of making a liquid crystal device is provided, the method comprising (i) providing a cell containing a mixture of a liquid crystal and pre-polymer (ii) applying a stimulus to arrange the liquid crystal in a first predetermined state and (iii) subsequent to, or contemporaneously with, step (ii), causing the pre-polymer to form polymer when the liquid crystal is in a second predetermined state, wherein steps (ii) and (iii) are performed a plurality of times.

Abstract: A hang tag having a bifolding body, one part of which has a long tail, and one of the parts having a recess adapted to receive an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device. The EAS device is placed or secured in the recess, the tail is wrapped around a piece of merchandise, and the other end of the tail is affixed to one of the bifolding bodies, and then the bifold is snapped shut permanently. The tag is made out of tough, minimal stretch plastic such as nylon or another polyamide, enabling the tag to be assembled onto the merchandise simply by looping and snapping, without any riveting or other joining required. Using a tough polymer, the snap fit can be designed to create a permanent attachment so that the tag would have to be cut off or destroyed to remove it.