Abstract: Polymer network liquid crystal materials have improved mechanical properties such as rigidity and hardness and substantially improved electro-optical performance. The PNLC material can be manufactured with an emulsion process so as to simplify substantially the manufacturing process. Each LC droplet can be configured with the polymer network extending substantially across the LC droplet, and the polymer network may comprise a material to lower substantially the switching voltage, such as a fluorinated acrylate that may interact with the liquid crystal so as to lower the surface tension of the LC droplet. The PNLC material may comprise an interfacial layer combined with the polymer network so as to decrease substantially the driving voltage.

Abstract: Polymer network liquid crystal materials have improved mechanical properties such as rigidity and hardness and substantially improved electro-optical performance. The PNLC material can be manufactured with an emulsion process so as to simplify substantially the manufacturing process. Each LC droplet can be configured with the polymer network extending substantially across the LC droplet, and the polymer network may comprise a material to lower substantially the switching voltage, such as a fluorinated acrylate that may interact with the liquid crystal so as to lower the surface tension of the LC droplet. The PNLC material may comprise an interfacial layer combined with the polymer network so as to decrease substantially the driving voltage.

Abstract: A PDLC modulator is fabricated using at least one of a selection of specially-formulated UV curable organic hard coatings as a protective layer on the exposed side of polyester (Mylar) film. The hard coatings of various related types show good adhesion on a polyester film substrate, superior hardness and toughness, and have a slippery top surface, which minimizes unnecessary wear. The coating as applied on the modulator surface significantly reduces scratch damage on modulators caused by unexpected particles on the panels under test. In addition, the slip surface will reduce stickiness to particles and therefore also reduce the possibility of panel damage.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator assembly includes a sensor layer made from an electro-optic modulator material that comprises liquid crystal droplets encapsulated within a polymer matrix. The sensor layer material comprises an interfacial agent, for example a defoaming agent, in an amount sufficient to lower an intrinsic operating voltage at which the sensor layer transmits light. The defoaming agent can comprise from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of the electro-optic modulator material, and the defoaming agent may comprise a reactive component to react with the polymer matrix, for example at least one of a siloxane with a reactive end group, a reactive fluorinated polymer or a non-ionic block copolymer to react with the polymer matrix. The assembly can also include a hard coating layer to protect the sensor layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the present invention comprise TL-series liquid crystal materials and a polymer matrix comprising polyacrylate resins having hydroxyl groups. These hydroxyl groups allow crosslinking by using isocyanate, improving mechanical properties and heat resistance. Typical ratios of liquid crystal to polymer range between about 50/50 to 70/30 (wt/wt). The PDLC materials exhibit enhanced sensitivity to driving voltages and higher transmission˜voltage (T-V) curve slope. In testing thin film transistors (TFTs), these PDLC materials can be used to compensate for an increased air gap accommodating flatness variation in the TFT substrate, and to reduce electrostatic forces between modulator and panel. Embodiments of PDLC materials in accordance with the present invention form solid films upon evaporation of the solvent.

Abstract: Embodiments of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the present invention comprise TL-series liquid crystal materials and a polymer matrix comprising polyacrylate resins having hydroxyl groups. These hydroxyl groups allow crosslinking by using isocyanate, improving mechanical properties and heat resistance. Typical ratios of liquid crystal to polymer range between about 50/50 to 70/30 (wt/wt). The PDLC materials exhibit enhanced sensitivity to driving voltages and higher transmission˜voltage (T-V) curve slope. In testing thin film transistors (TFTs), these PDLC materials can be used to compensate for an increased air gap accommodating flatness variation in the TFT substrate, and to reduce electrostatic forces between modulator and panel. Embodiments of PDLC materials in accordance with the present invention form solid films upon evaporation of the solvent.

Abstract: A PDLC modulator is fabricated using at least one of a selection of specially-formulated UV curable organic hard coatings as a protective layer on the exposed side of polyester (Mylar) film. The hard coatings of various related types show good adhesion on a polyester film substrate, superior hardness and toughness, and have a slippery top surface, which minimizes unnecessary wear. The coating as applied on the modulator surface significantly reduces scratch damage on modulators caused by unexpected particles on the panels under test. In addition, the slip surface will reduce stickiness to particles and therefore also reduce the possibility of panel damage.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator assembly includes a sensor layer made from an electro-optic modulator material that comprises liquid crystal droplets encapsulated within a polymer matrix. The sensor layer material comprises an interfacial agent, for example a defoaming agent, in an amount sufficient to lower an intrinsic operating voltage at which the sensor layer transmits light. The defoaming agent can comprise from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of the electro-optic modulator material, and the defoaming agent may comprise a reactive component to react with the polymer matrix, for example at least one of a siloxane with a reactive end group, a reactive fluorinated polymer or a non-ionic block copolymer to react with the polymer matrix. The assembly can also include a hard coating layer to protect the sensor layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of electrophoretic displays. In particular, it relates to imagewise opening, filling and sealing multicolor display components and the manufacture of multicolor displays.

Abstract: A PDLC modulator is fabricated using at least one a selection of specially-formulated UV curable organic hard coatings as a protective layer on the exposed side of polyester (Mylar) film. The hard coatings of various related types show good adhesion on a polyester film substrate, superior hardness and toughness, and have a slippery top surface, which minimizes unnecessary wear. The coating as applied on the modulator surface significantly reduces scratch damage on modulators caused by unexpected particles on the panels under test. In addition, the slip surface will reduce stickiness to particles and therefore also reduce the possibility of panel damage.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of electrophoretic displays. In particular, it relates to imagewise opening, filling and sealing multicolor display components and the manufacture of multicolor displays.

Abstract: A PDLC modulator is fabricated using at least one of a selection of specially-formulated UV curable organic hard coatings as a protective layer on the exposed side of polyester (Mylar) film. The hard coatings of various related types show good adhesion on a polyester film substrate, superior hardness and toughness, and have a slippery top surface, which minimizes unnecessary wear. The coating as applied on the modulator surface significantly reduces scratch damage on modulators caused by unexpected particles on the panels under test. In addition, the slip surface will reduce stickiness to particles and therefore also reduce the possibility of panel damage.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of electrophoretic displays. In particular, it relates to imagewise opening, filling, and sealing multicolor display components and the manufacture of multicolor displays.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrophoretic display or a liquid crystal display and novel processes for its manufacture. The electrophoretic display (EPD) of the present invention comprises microcups of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio and the microcups are filled with charged pigment particles dispersed in an optically contrasting dielectric solvent. The liquid crystal display (LCD) of this invention comprises well-defined microcups filled with at least a liquid crystal composition having its ordinary refractive index matched to that of the isotropic cup material. A novel roll-to-roll process and apparatus of the invention permits the display manufacture to be carried out continuously by a synchronized photo-lithographic process.

Abstract: In order to allow application of any coating under a vacuum over a volatile gelatinous layer, such as polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) on an optical glass substrate with a transparent electrode, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) on its surface, a layer of an intermediate stress absorbing polymeric material is first applied to cover the volatile gelatinous layer to prevent evaporation and escape of volatiles, thereafter the coating is applied under a very high vacuum using for example a technique called Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) or sputtering.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of electrophoretic displays. In particular, it relates to imagewise opening, filling, and sealing multicolor display components and the manufacture of multicolor displays.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrophoretic display or a liquid crystal display and novel processes for its manufacture. The electrophoretic display (EPD) of the present invention comprises microcups of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio and the microcups are filled with charged pigment particles dispersed in an optically contrasting dielectric solvent. The liquid crystal display (LCD) of this invention comprises well-defined microcups filled with at least a liquid crystal composition having its ordinary refractive index matched to that of the isotropic cup material. A novel roll-to-roll process and apparatus of the invention permits the display manufacture to be carried out continuously by a synchronized photo-lithographic process.

Abstract: In order to allow application of any coating under a vacuum over a volatile gelatinous layer, such as polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) on an optical glass substrate with a transparent electrode, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) on its surface, a layer of an intermediate stress absorbing polymeric material is first applied to cover the volatile gelatinous layer to prevent evaporation and escape of volatiles, thereafter the coating is applied under a very high vacuum using for example a technique called Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) or sputtering.

Abstract: In an electro-optic light modulator requiring an electro-optical sensor material such as polymer dispersed liquid crystal, or PDLC is directly coated on an optical glass substrate with a transparent electrode, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and an optional layer of passivation coating such as silicon dioxide (SiO2) on its surface. A thin layer of polymeric adhesive is coated on top of PDLC layer and then this two-layer coating is laminated with a dielectric mirror on a polyester film (Mylar™) preferably with the assistance of a vacuum.

Abstract: Electro-optic structures are constructed by spin coating water based emulsions or solvent based sensor materials, preferably a solvent-based polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), onto a substrate under conditions of controlled solvent evaporation. In a particular process, the uniformity of the PDLC coating is achieved by 1) spin coating in a semi-sealed chamber, 2) “converting” a square substrate into round substrate by using a fixture; 3) providing a controllable distance between the substrate and a spin coater top cover; and 4) providing a controllable solvent evaporation rate.