Containing Nonchiral Additive Having No Specified Mesophase Patents (Class 252/299.5)
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Publication number: 20040200994Abstract: A compound having formula (6) 1Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gabriel Iftime, Peter M. Kazmaier
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Publication number: 20040195547Abstract: A compound having formula (4) 1Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gabriel Iftime, Peter M. Kazmaier
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Patent number: 6800220Abstract: The present invention discloses an optically active polyester comprising at least constituent units represented by the general formula (I) and the general formula (II): wherein Ar1 and Ar2 each independently represents a bivalent aromatic group or a bivalent heteroaromatic group, and X1 and X2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an electron-withdrawing group, wherein A represents a bivalent substituent.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masatoshi Yumoto, Mitsuyoshi Ichihashi, Kouya Kawabata
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Publication number: 20040185185Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a layer of a liquid crystal material contained between two spaced-apart cell walls (2, 4) provided with electrode structures (12, 14) for applying an electric field across at least some of the liquid crystal material. At least one of the cell walls (2) is provided with an alignment structure (10) for inducing a desired local orientation of molecules of the liquid crystal material adjacent thereto. The liquid crystal material includes non-polymerisable low molecular weight surfactant molecules. The invention also provides a liquid crystal composition for use in the device and a method of manufacturing the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Stephen Christopher Kitson, Neil Carter, Michael Bernard Cinderey
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Patent number: 6790382Abstract: An inorganic liquid or glass of hybrid composition including an inorganic component; and a template component, wherein the inorganic component and the template component are present in composition in a ratio that provides an intermediate range structural order to the composition. The intermediate range structural order results in the formation of metallotropic liquid crystals and anisotropic glasses. Methods of preparing the composition are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: North Carolina State UniversityInventors: James D. Martin, Todd A. Thornton
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Patent number: 6783697Abstract: Disclosed is a binder-loaded type charge-transport liquid crystal material which comprises a liquid crystal compound and a binder and, in spite of the presence of the binder, can substantially retain the properties inherent in the liquid crystal compound.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Hanna, Kyoko Kogo
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Publication number: 20040164274Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Steven D. Solomonson, Marc D. Radcliffe, Richard J. Pokorny
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Publication number: 20040164275Abstract: 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 1Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Terence D. Spawn, Marc D. Radcliffe, Richard J. Pokorny
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Publication number: 20040140450Abstract: Liquid crystalline polymer having repeat units derived from 4,4′-biphenol, terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in a limited compositional range have melting points of 400° C. or more, and are useful for molded articles and for films, particularly for uses where good high temperature resistance is needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Marion G. Waggoner, Michael Robert Samuels
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Liquid-crystalline composition for printing inks, coatings and counterfeit-proof marking of articles
Publication number: 20040140451Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline composition which comprises, as componentsType: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: BASF Drucksysteme GmbHInventors: Frank Meyer, Hiroki Ishida, Peter Schuhmacher, Horst Neumann -
Publication number: 20040135119Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula I wherein X1,X2,X1,X2,x1,x2,y1,y2,B,C,U1,U2,V1,V2,W1 and W2 have the meaning given in claim 1, to liquid crystal mixtures comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I, to chiral linear or crosslinked liquid crystal polymers obtainable by polymerizing a polymerizade mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I, to the use of chiral compound of formula I and mixtures and polymers obtained thereof in liquid crystal display, active and passive optical elements, adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostics, liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, nonlinear optics, optical information storage or as chiral dopants, and to a liquid crystal display comprising a mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Andreas Taugerbeck, Peer Kirsch, Detlef Pauluth, Joachim Krause, Juliane Suermann, Michael Heckmeier
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Patent number: 6753046Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystalline compound of the formula I wherein X1 and R1 are defined as in claim 1. The invention further relates to a liquid crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy containing one or more compounds of formula I and its use in electrooptical displays and projection systems, in particular reflective displays and displays based on a birefringence effect, such as OCB displays.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Merck Patent GmbHInventors: Atsutaka Manabe, Matthias Bremer
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Publication number: 20040115367Abstract: A A compound having formula (2) 1Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gabriel Iftime, Peter M. Kazmaier, David Rider, Peter G. Odell
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Publication number: 20040113122Abstract: A liquid crystal composition including:Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gabriel Iftime, Peter M. Kazmaier
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Publication number: 20040113123Abstract: A liquid crystal composition including:Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Gabriel Iftime, Peter M. Kazmaier
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Publication number: 20040099841Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising a liquid crystal compound, a gelling agent comprising a hydrogen-bonded compound with polymerizable double bonds at both ends to form a gelatinizable mixture with the liquid crystal compound, and a photoinitiator causing a polymerization reaction of the hydrogen-bonded compound of the gelling agent is disclosed. Because the denatured liquid crystal composition, obtainable by photo polymerization of the non-denatured liquid crystal composition, has alignment direction self-control characteristics, the liquid crystal composition can be reversibly changed between the isotropic state and the aligned gelatinized state by controlling the temperature conditions not only in a non-denatured state but also in a denatured state. A liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition, a method for manufacturing the same, and a method for controlling the same are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicants: Takashi KATO, JSR CorporationInventors: Takashi Kato, Norihiro Mizoshita
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Patent number: 6740255Abstract: Disclosed is a photo-responsive liquid crystal composition which is composed of a liquid crystalline compound and a gelling agent, an information-recording medium and an information-recording process making use of the information-recording medium. The gelling agent consists of a photochromic compound having a group capable of forming an intermolecular hydrogen bond in its molecule as well as a photo-responding site of a specific structure. The composition can exist in any state of gel of a first phase and gel of a second phase and can undergo changes in state between the gel of the first phase and the gel of the second phase. The information-recording medium has a recording layer formed of the composition, and the information-recording process utilizes changes in state between the gel phases in the recording layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: JSR CorporationInventors: Takashi Kato, Masaya Moriyama, Norihiro Mizoshita
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Patent number: 6737126Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal mixture, especially for a liquid crystal cell for a color liquid crystal display (LCD), comprising a liquid crystal material and a dye, wherein said dye has a dipole, preferably a permanent dipole. The invention further relates to a liquid crystal cell for a color liquid crystal display comprising a liquid crystal mixture, substrate plates or substrate means for comprising said liquid crystal mixture, electrodes for applying an electric field to said liquid crystal mixture and a voltage source for applying a voltage to said electrodes, wherein said liquid crystal mixture comprises a dye with optical anisotropic properties having a dipole, preferably a permanent dipole. The invention further relates to a use of a dye with a dipole for a liquid crystal mixture, especially for a liquid crystal cell and/or liquid crystal displays.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Sony International (Europe) GmbHInventors: Akio Yasuda, David Bloor, Graham Cross, Gordon Love, Akira Masutani
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Publication number: 20040079921Abstract: Cubic liquid crystalline gel precursors, bulk cubic liquid crystalline gels, and dispersions of cubic liquid crystalline gel particles, and methods for their preparation, are disclosed. The precursors, gels, and dispersions can be used as skin penetration enhancers. The precursors, gels, and dispersions are prepared by methods employing hydrotropes that do not detrimentally affect the cubic liquid crystalline structure of the gels and particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Matthew Lawrence Lynch, Patrick Thomas Spicer
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Publication number: 20040076769Abstract: A chiral nematic liquid crystal composition has minimal temperature dependency of the natural pitch and temperature dependency of the wavelength selective reflection and low temperature storage stability thereof is excellent. A chiral nematic liquid crystal composition with a broad liquid crystal temperature range is used in a bistable liquid crystal display element, and a bistable liquid crystal display element comprising the liquid crystal composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: DAINIPPON INK AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Hidetoshi Nakata, Kiyofumi Takeuchi
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Publication number: 20040058091Abstract: Optically anisotropic films based on sulfoderivatives of 1,8-naphthoylene-1′,2′-benzimidazole are disclosed. These compounds form stable lyotropic liquid crystal systems that exhibit excellent optical properties with films that are significantly thinner that the current state of the art. The lyotropic liquid crystal systems may be deposited on substrates for use in a wide variety of commercial applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Tatyana Ya. Dutova, Elena N. Sidorenko
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Publication number: 20040056233Abstract: Disclosed are liquid crystalline polymer compositions, which are melt moldable, and which contain a perfluorinated polymer, and a particulate aramid, and optionally contain hollow glass or quartz spheres, and which usually have low dielectric constants. They are particularly useful as electrical connectors and substrates for other electronic applications which use high frequency signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Michael Robert Samuels, Michael Joseph Molitor
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Patent number: 6703084Abstract: A quinone compound represented by formula (1) or (2) below: (wherein X1 to X4 independently represents an oxygen atom, sulfur atom or N—R1; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group; Ar1 to Ar4 independently represents an atomic group necessary for forming an aromatic ring or aromatic rings, where at least one of such aromatic rings formed by Ar1 and Ar2 and at least one of such aromatic rings formed by Ar3 and Ar4 have substituent selected from the group consisting of alkylthio group, arylthio group, heteroarylthio group and —N(R2)(R3) group; and R2 and R3 independently represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group, where R2 and R3 may be linked together to form a ring) was disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Katoh
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Patent number: 6702956Abstract: A liquid crystal polyester resin mixture having a stabilized plastication time and accordingly possible to be molded in constant cycles and giving a molded article excellent in mechanical properties and thermal stability is provided. The liquid crystal polyester resin mixture comprises 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystal polyester resin composition which comprises 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystal polyester and from 0 to 150 parts by weight of a filler, and either from 0.001 to 5 parts by weight of a fatty acid amide having a formula; R1—CO—NH2 (wherein R1 denotes a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon of 10 to 30 carbons) or from 0.001 to 2 parts by weight of a high molecular weight polyethylene with a molecular weight of 10,000 or higher.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, LimitedInventors: Mituo Maeda, Satoshi Nagano, Manabu Hirakawa
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Publication number: 20040041124Abstract: A substantially colorless and optically anisotropic material is obtained from substantially colorless and optically anisotropic micelles. The micelles are oriented in a definite direction. The optically anisotropic material is usable in optical films and polarization elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventor: Keiichi Taguchi
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Patent number: 6699532Abstract: An optically active compound of the general formula (1) useful as a chiral dopant, and use thereof for a liquid crystal composition, the above optically active compound having a remarkably large helical twisting power (HTP) of as large as 50 or more and having a property that the helical pitch induced decreases in length with an increase in temperature, so that the optically active compound has an excellent value as a chiral dopant for a nematic liquid crystal.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Yuki Motoyama, Masahiro Johno
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Patent number: 6695976Abstract: In a water-continuous system and a polymerization method, the water-continuous system comprises a polymerizable aromatic compound as an oil, water and a non-ionic surfactant, wherein the polymerizable aromatic compound is a component from the group consisting of: thiophene, furan and alkyl, alkoxy or alkylenedioxy derivatives of thiophene and furan. The non-ionic surfactant is an alkyl polyethoxylate and/or an alkyl polyglucoside.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Inventors: Franz-Hubert Haegel, Julia Schlüpen, Joachim Walter Schultze, Stephan Winkels
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Patent number: 6695977Abstract: Improved liquid crystalline materials may be prepared by doping liquid crystalline materials with chiral, uncharged metal compounds of formula [(P1—Y1—A1—Y2—M1—Y3—)nL]2Me or [(P1—Y1—A1—Y2—M1—Y3—)nL]Me(L′(—Y6—M2—Y5—A2—Y4—P2)n′)m. Groups P1 and P2 may be, independently, hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl groups, polymerizable groups, or radicals containing a polymerizable group. Y1 to Y6 may be, independently, single chemical bonds, ether groups, thio groups, carbonyl groups, acid groups, etc. Groups A1 and A2 are spacers having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and M1 and M2 are mesogenic groups. Me may be a transition metal from the fourth, fifth or sixth period of the periodic table, except for technetium, silver, cadmium, gold, mercury, or any of the lanthanoids, or Me may be a main group element from group 14 (IUPAC system), except for carbon and lead.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Frank Prechtl, Sylke Haremza, Robert Parker, Kathrin Kürschner, Manfred Braun, Antje Hahn, Ralf Fleischer
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Publication number: 20040033320Abstract: A conduction inhibitor including an epoxy resin or the like is mixed into a liquid crystal material. Specifically, the conduction inhibitor is formed by a bisphenol F epoxy resin, and mixing proportion is set to 0.1 wt % to 10 wt %. When such a conduction inhibitor is mixed, electrical conduction caused by ions due to an impurity or the like existing in the liquid crystal material can be suppressed, thereby maintaining a voltage holding ratio high when a liquid crystal display cell and a liquid crystal display are structured by using the liquid crystal material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Applicants: INTERNATIONAL DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Yuichi Momoi, Junta Yamamichi
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Patent number: 6682787Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal composition by which the state of molecular orientation of a liquid crystalline compound can be stably maintained even when no electric field is caused to effect on, and moreover the state of molecular orientation of the liquid crystalline compound can be changed, and a liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal displaying method by which a displayed state can be stably retained even after the action of an electric field is ceased, and moreover the displayed state can be dissolved with ease. The liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystalline compound and a liquid crystal orientation state-regulating agent for regulating the orientated state of the liquid crystalline compound by gelling, wherein a phase transition temperature between an isotropic liquid phase and a liquid crystal phase in the liquid crystalline compound is higher than a gelling temperature by the liquid crystal orientation state-regulating agent.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: JSR CorporationInventors: Takashi Kato, Norihiro Mizoshita, Kenji Hanabusa
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Publication number: 20040011994Abstract: The invention provides an optically active polyesteramide comprising at least a structural unit represented by the following general formula (I) and a structural unit represented by the following general formula (II).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.Inventors: Masatoshi Yumoto, Mitsuyoshi Ichihashi, Keiichiro Hayashi, Ryuichi Kuroiwa
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Publication number: 20040013821Abstract: An electroconductive polypropylene type resin foamed sheet comprising a polypropylene type resin foamed sheet, and an electroconductive coating material layer and, preferably, a resin layer, formed on at least one side of the foamed sheet, and having a density of at least 180 kgm−3 and less than 850 kgm−3, wherein the resin layer has a surface resistance of less than 1012 &OHgr;/□. A container made of such an electroconductive polypropylene type resin foamed sheet is useful for packaging an electronic component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Yuichi Kadoya, Hirokazu Kawauchi, Eitaroh Fututaka
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Publication number: 20040011995Abstract: In color printing, and in the fine arts, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) color inks are known to possess much higher color saturation and brightness than conventional pigment and dyed based inks. However, prior art CLC ink formulations are inconvenient because in the liquid phase they have to be confined in cells, and in the solid phase, they have to be applied at high temperature, and have to be aligned by some means to produce the optimum color. This invention solves the problem encountered in the CLC prior art, by making pre-aligned CLC platelets or flakes of appropriate thickness and size and mixing them in appropriate host fluids producing a novel CLC ink which can be applied at room temperature and without the need for alignment. The new pre-aligned room temperature CLC ink can be used as a substitute for conventional inks in almost all printing and plotting, and manual drawing and painting. Using the notch filter CLC platelets, the brightness is further enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
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Publication number: 20040007691Abstract: An optically active compound of the general formula (1) useful as a chiral dopant, and use thereof for a liquid crystal composition, 1Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventors: Yuki Motoyama, Masahiro Johno
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Patent number: 6667793Abstract: Liquid crystal pigments comprising at least one layer of liquid crystalline polymer material with a helically twisted molecular structure wherein the helical axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the layer and which show reflection of circularly polarized light, some prepared in which the bandwidth of the reflected wavelength band is at least 100 nm. These pigments are suitable for use in reflective films or coatings for decorative applications, cosmetic compositions, and pharmaceutical compositions, optical elements, and security applications.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Merck Patent GesellschaftInventors: Mark Goulding, Matthias Kuntz, Mark Verrall, David Coates
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Publication number: 20030232154Abstract: Method of producing nematic liquid-crystal devices, wherein a low zenithal anchoring energy of the liquid crystal is obtained on at least one of its confinement plates by the steps consisting in:Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Sandrine Lamarque-Forget, Sebastien Jacquier, Ivan Dozov, Luc Faget
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Publication number: 20030222242Abstract: A liquid crystalline gel composition including a liquid crystalline compound, and a gelling agent having a structural unit represented by the following formula (1): 1Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Shigeyuki Harada, Takuzo Aida, Woo-Dong Jang
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Patent number: 6649226Abstract: A dissociating substance and its salt are added to a liquid crystal to keep the amount of ions included in the liquid crystal constant under temperature variation and to prevent alignment disorder in the liquid crystal due to static electricity and unevenness or spots due to excessive ion accumulation, leading to improved reliability.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.Inventor: Kimikazu Matsumoto
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Patent number: 6645576Abstract: An active matrix liquid crystal display device is provided, in which an after image remaining after removing an application of a direct current voltage is suppressed. The active matrix liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal molecule having negative dielectric anisotropy and a dopant having a dissociative group.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yasushi Iwakabe, Masuyuki Ohta, Shigeru Matsuyama, Hitoshi Oaku, Katsumi Kondo
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Patent number: 6645578Abstract: 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. Liquid crystal displays containing such alignment structures and methods of making such displays are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Hassan Sahouani, Kim M. Vogel
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Patent number: 6645577Abstract: A liquid crystal composition is principally constituted by at least a liquid crystal and a gel-forming compound which forms a gel with the liquid crystal. The gel-forming compound has a discotic liquid crystal phase and assumes a supermolecular structure when it is mixed with the liquid crystal. The supermolecular structure may preferably have at least one intermolecular interacting side having at least one —CONH— group allowing multi-dimensional intermolecular interaction.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomonari Horikiri
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Publication number: 20030197157Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a homogeneous mixture of a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional pentaacrylate monomer, in combination with photoinitiator, coinitiator and cross-linking agent. Optionally, a surfactant such as octanoic acid may also be added. The PDLC material is exposed to coherent light to produce an interference pattern inside the material. Photopolymerization of the new PDLC material produces a hologram of clearly separated liquid crystal domains and cured polymer domains. Volume transmission gratings made with the new PDLC material can be electrically switched between nearly 100% diffraction efficiency and nearly 0% diffraction efficiency. By increasing the frequency of the switching voltage, switching voltages in the range of 50 Vrms can be achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 1999Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: RICHARD L. SUTHERLAND, LALQUDI V. NATARAJAN, VINCE P. TONDIGLIA, TIMOTHY J. BUNNING, W. WADE ADAMS
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Publication number: 20030193039Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystalline polyester resin composition to produce a molded article without generating black foreign materials even if exposed to high temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Satoshi Okamoto, Manabu Hirakawa
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Patent number: 6633348Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display including a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer intervening between the first and second substrates and containing liquid crystal substances different from each other, a sum of values each calculated from a formula: X&agr;(RTlogP&agr;+HE&agr;) for all the liquid crystal substances in the liquid crystal layer being 32 kJ/mol or higher, wherein X&agr; denotes a molar fraction of a component &agr; in the liquid crystal layer, P&agr; denotes a distribution ratio of the component &agr; between an aqueous phase and a 1-octanol phase, HE&agr; denotes a hydration energy for 1 mol of the component &agr;, R denotes a gas constant of 8.3 J/K·mol, and T denotes a temperature of 300 K.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kiyoshi Shohara, Takeshi Yamamoto, Natsuko Maya, Nobuko Fukuoka, Katsuyuki Naito
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Publication number: 20030183804Abstract: An inorganic liquid or glass of hybrid composition including an inorganic component; and a template component, wherein the inorganic component and the template component are present in composition in a ratio that provides an intermediate range structural order to the composition. The intermediate range structural order results in the formation of metallotropic liquid crystals and anisotropic glasses. Methods of preparing the composition are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: James D. Martin, Todd A. Thornton
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Patent number: 6602563Abstract: A liquid crystal display which carries out matrix driving of a chiral nematic liquid crystal composition, which is capable of displaying an image theron continuously after an electric field applied thereto is turned off, by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal composition through a plurality of scan electrodes and a plurality of data electrodes which face and cross each other with the liquid crystal composition in-between. The nematic liquid crystal which is the main element of the liquid crystal composition mainly contains a liquid crystalline ester compound, a liquid crystalline stilbene compound, a liquid crystalline terphenyl compound or a liquid crystalline tolane compound.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Kobayashi, Takeshi Kitahora, Fumie Motoori, Hideaki Ueda
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Patent number: 6599442Abstract: Helical arrays comprising structurally different chiral non-racemic molecules or molecular entities that control the helical sense of the helical array provide a method for temperature measurement with a unique characteristic in that the temperature dependent chiral biases of the competing structurally different chiral non-racemic entities control the helical sense population since these biases differ in their temperature dependence. By varying the composition of the chiral non-racemic entities, the temperature at which the helical sense population is equal and how the helical sense population varies as a function of temperature can be controlled. In this way, competing structurally different non-racemic chiral groups can be varied in their composition so that a helical array can be formed under their effect and be sensitive to temperature over a wide temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Polytechnic UniversityInventor: Mark M. Green
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Publication number: 20030136943Abstract: Semiconductor liquid crystal compositions and methods for making such compositions are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a liquid crystal composition including a solvent and semiconductor particles in the solvent. The solvent and the semiconductor particles are in an effective amount in the liquid crystal composition to form a liquid crystal phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: Regents of University of CaliforniaInventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Liang-shi Li
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Publication number: 20030127627Abstract: A smectic liquid crystal mixture comprising a smectic liquid crystal base mixture and at least one dopant, which is either a complex ligand or an organic material, in a concentration of 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Applicant: Clariant International Ltd.Inventors: Haruki Amakawa, Toshiaki Nonaka, Hans-Rolf Dubal, Rainer Wingen
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Publication number: 20030122105Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal compound containing at least one polymerizable group, two or more kinds of photoreactive chiral compounds that undergo isomerization when respectively irradiated with light beams having mutually different wavelengths and exhibit mutually different HTPs after isomerization, and a polymerization initiator; a selectively reflective film produced using the liquid crystal compound; and a method for producing the selectively reflective film. Instead of the two or more kinds of photoreactive chiral compounds, a single photoreactive chiral compound that undergoes reversible isomerization when irradiated with either of two light beams having mutually different wavelengths may be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Ichihashi