Abstract: An optically anisotropic film based on a two-phase polymeric material, and a method for the fabrication is provided. The two-phase polymeric material comprises a polymer matrix and a partially crystalline film of ordered, immobilized, organic molecules. The polymer matrix provides desired mechanical properties while the crystalline film provides desired optical properties of the fabricated material.

Abstract: A cholesteric display including a liquid crystalline mixture having a dipolar dopant dissolved in the liquid crystalline mixture and the resulting mixture is reflecting light in the visible range of the spectrum when in planar state. In accordance with another aspect, a process includes forming a composition with a dipolar molecule to result in a liquid crystal dipolar dopant, and liquid crystal is added to the composition. In accordance with still another aspect, a device includes a liquid crystal composition includes a cholesteric liquid and a dipolar dopant. The liquid crystal composition is switchable between a focal-conic state and a planar state in the presence of an electric field and is stable in the respective state when the electric field is removed.

Abstract: A novel optical compensatory sheet is disclosed. The sheet comprises an optically anisotropic layer comprising at least one compound selected from the group represented by Formula (I): where L1, L2 and L3 respectively represent a single bond, NRa, where Ra is a hydrogen atom (H), an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group, oxygen atom (O) or sulfur atom (S); A1, A2 and A3 respectively represent an alkylene group; R1, R2 and R3 respectively represent a substituent group; m1, m2 and m3 respectively represent an integer not less than 0, at least one of m1, m2 and m3 is not 0, when m1 and m2 are 0, L3 represents NH or S; and when m1, m2 and m3 are respectively not less than 2, plural A1, A2 or A3 may be same or different each other.

Abstract: A cholesteric display including a cholesteric liquid crystal, and a dipolar dopant having limited miscibility in the cholesteric liquid crystal is provided. In accordance with another aspect, a process is provided for forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition by dissolving a dipolar dopant having limited solubility into a cholesteric liquid crystal. The liquid crystal composition can be utilized to produce a cholesteric display. The liquid crystal domains in the liquid crystal composition rotate away from a planar state in the presence of an applied electric field and the degree of rotation is a function of the applied electric field strength. The reflected color is then a function of the applied electric field.

Abstract: A thermally conductive polymer molded article formed by molding a thermally conductive composition which comprises a liquid crystalline polymer and thermally conductive filler having magnetic anisotropy, wherein the liquid crystalline polymer and the thermally conductive filler are oriented in a predetermined direction by a magnetic field. The thermally conductive composition contains 100 parts by weight of the liquid crystalline polymer and 5 to 800 parts by weight of the thermally conductive filler having magnetic anisotropy. The thermally conductive filler has a thermal conductivity in at least one direction higher than the thermal conductivity of the liquid crystalline polymer.

Abstract: The process described herein offers the optimizing of performance parameters of holograms, such as reducing scattering effects in a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal optical element. In the process, an interfacial tension agent is added to a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material has at least one acrylic acid monomer, at least one type of liquid crystal material, a photoinitiator dye, and a co-initiator. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material is subjected to a polymerization. The interfacial tension agent reduces the size of liquid crystal droplets formed within the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal optical element during polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a film that includes at least one layer of anisotropic polymer material. The method can include polymerizing a mixture of a filtered polymerizable mesogenic material.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystalline compound capable of exhibiting a biaxial liquid crystal phase, provide a trifunctional or greater functional polymerizable liquid crystalline compound having polymerizable groups, and also to provide a liquid crystalline composition and a retardation film which are using the liquid crystalline compound, a compound and a liquid crystalline compound each are represented by formula (I) defined in the specification; a liquid crystalline composition contains the compound; and a retardation film has an optically anisotropic layer formed from the compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a gelling agent composed of a functional amino acid compound having a tetrathiafulvalenyl group, and a production method of a gelling agent, comprising reacting a tetrathiafulvalene derivative with an amino acid derivative in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride and 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine to obtain a functional amino acid compound having a tetrathiafulvalenyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid-crystal mixtures having specific resistance values, comprising acidic compounds. The present invention furthermore relates to liquid-crystal displays containing these liquid-crystal mixtures. The invention furthermore relates to compounds of the formula I, in which the parameters are as defined in the text, to their preparation, and to their use for achieving certain specific resistance values in liquid-crystal mixtures. The application also relates to a method of adjusting the specific resistance of liquid-crystal mixtures using acidic compounds.

Abstract: 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 The invention also provides cholesteric liquid crystal films and optical bodies formed from cholesteric liquid crystal compositions of the invention. The invention further provides an optical display that includes a display medium, and a reflective polarizer including a cholesteric liquid crystal composition in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a class of compounds useful as chiral dopants, which compounds are available in both enantiomeric forms, in liquid-crystal formulations. Such formulations are advantageous in displays and various other products.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The use of a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group, either of which may be optionally interposed with one or more oxygen or sulphur atoms, R2 is an alkyl or alkenyl group, Y? and Y? are independently selected from oxygen or sulphur, n is an integer from 1 to 5, X is a direct bond or a C1-4alkylene or C2-4alkenylene chain, and A is group comprising one or two rings which are independently selected from aryl, heterocylic or cycloalkyl rings, and when there are two rings, they are bonded together directly or by way of a C1-4alkylene or C2-4alkenylene group, for increasing the u.v. stability of a liquid crystal mixture. The compounds of formula (I) are u.v. stable and are useful in liquid crystal devices which are exposed to high levels of u.v. light such as phosphor display cells. Certain compounds are novel and these form a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A resin blend and method of producing the resin blend, the resin blend comprising one or more first liquid crystal monomer at a ratio to one or more secondary monomer, said secondary monomer and said ratio being adapted to maintain said resin blend in a nematic liquid crystalline state after addition of an inorganic filler at a temperature of 20° C. for about 30 minutes or more, the resin blend having a polymerization shrinkage of 3 vol. % or less.

Abstract: This invention provides composite materials that combine the material properties of hydrophobic polymers with internal structure and order provided by polymerization of lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs). Composites, particularly nanocomposites, are made by forming a LLC assembly that has hydrophobic regions and hydrophilic regions, combining hydrophobic polymer in the assembly and polymerizing the polymerizable LLC monomers in the assembly. The hydrophobic polymer, polymerized LLC assembly or both can be crosslinked in the composite. Nanoporous composites, particularly those with uniform-sized pores and/or with uniform pores distribution can be prepared in this way. In addition, complex polymers in which a second polymeric material, which may be organic or inorganic, can be introduced into the pores or other structural features of the composite can be prepared.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of new chemical compounds, lyotropic liquid crystal systems, materials, blends, mixtures, namely acenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxaline sulfoderivatives of the general structural formula: wherein n is an integer in the range of 1 to 4; m is an integer in the range of 0 to 4; z is an integer in the range of 0 to 6, and m+z+n?10; X and Y are individually selected from the group consisting of CH3, C2H5, OCH3, OC2H5, Cl, Br, OH, OCOCH3NH2, NHCOCH3, NO2, F, CF3, CN, OCN, SCN, COOH, and CONH2; M is a counterion; and j is the number of counterions in the molecule.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel photo-responsive liquid crystal composition in which an oriented state of a liquid crystalline compound is capable of being controlled by an irradiation of light. The photo-responsive liquid crystal composition is composed of a liquid crystalline compound and a gelling agent mixed with the liquid crystalline compound to form a gelling mixture, wherein the liquid crystalline compound is capable of being controlled in a state orientated in one direction by the irradiation of light. In the photo-responsive liquid crystal composition, the liquid crystalline compound is oriented in a direction parallel to the direction of the irradiation of light. In the photo-responsive liquid crystal composition, the gelling agent is formed of a compound having an azobenzene structural part and a specific skeletal structure.

Abstract: Described is a composite liquid crystalline mixture having a low refractive index and a chemical reactive power that makes it capable of minimizing an anchoring energy when in contact with silica. This mixture comprises: (a) low ordinary refractive index nematic liquid crystal of a single type or a mixture of low ordinary refractive index nematic liquid crystals of different types; (b) at least one reagent compound capable of reducing the anchoring energy via a chemical shielding process and from which originates a decoupling effect with a glass interface leading to the reduction of the anchoring energy and appropriately orienting a liquid crystal director at this interface; and (c) at least one low refractive index additive having a relatively low viscosity. The above mixture is useful in waveguide tuning applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerizable liquid crystal material containing at least one polymerizable surface-active compound, its use for the preparation of anisotropic polymer films, and the use of the liquid crystal material and the polymer films in optical and electrooptical devices, and for decorative and security applications.

Abstract: 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 The invention also provides cholesteric liquid crystal films and optical bodies formed from cholesteric liquid crystal compositions of the invention. The invention further provides an optical display that includes a display medium, and a reflective polarizer including a cholesteric liquid crystal composition in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Anisotropic films based on sulfoderivatives of perylenetetracarboxylic acid dibenzimidazole (PTCA DBI) which contain oxo groups pendant to a perylene core. The oxo-groups, in combination with portions of the perylene core, form a quinoid system of bonds. The oxo substituted PTCA DBI sulfoderivatives form liquid crystal systems possessing high optical properties. Said liquid crystal systems can be applied onto various substrates to obtain optically isotropic or anisotropic, at least partially crystalline, films applicable in various fields.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aromatic liquid crystalline polyester film excellent in the adhesion property to a substrate. Such film is obtained by an aromatic liquid crystalline polyester film obtained by casting an aromatic liquid crystalline polyester solution composition containing a solvent containing a halogen-substituted phenol defined by the following general formula (I): (wherein A is a halogen atom or a trihalomethyl group; i is an integer of 1 to 5; and in the case i is 2 or higher, the respective A may be the same or different), an aromatic liquid crystalline polyester, and a non-liquid crystalline resin at ratio of 1 to 200 parts by weight of the non-liquid crystalline resin to 100 parts by weight of the aromatic liquid crystalline polyester on a substrate; and removing the solvent.

Abstract: The present invention offers control over—and the ability to optimize—the performance parameters of switchable holograms. The present invention offers the ability to tailor the properties of a hologram to a desired application and thus make application-specific holograms. The invention relates to polymer-dispersed liquid crystal materials subject to control and optimization of the performance parameters of switchable holograms. Such variability allows tailoring the properties to application-specific devices. Specifically, the present invention provides an improved polymer-dispersed liquid crystal system that allows variation of: 1) haze, 2) switching voltage, 3) electrical power dissipation, 4) switching stability (voltage creep), 5) switching contrast ratio (range), 6) dynamic stability, and 7) the operating temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the response times and bulk on-state alignments of negative-type liquid crystals by providing a liquid crystal material that comprises at least one negative-type mesogen comprising at least one soluble, dipolar dopant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds useful as electronic hole transport materials, and to compositions and electronic devices comprising at least one layer containing the compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a gelling agent composed of an isoleucine derivative having a carbazolyl group, and a process for preparing a gelling agent, which comprises reacting an isoleucine derivative having a specific skeletal with a compound having a carbazolyl group in the presence of dichloromethane and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride to obtain an isoleucine derivative having a carbazolyl group.

Abstract: An electro-optically active polymer gel material comprising a high molecular weight alignment polymer adapted to be homogeneously dispersed throughout a liquid crystal to control the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules and/or confer mechanical stability is provided. The electro-optically active polymer gel comprises a homogenous gel in which the polymer strands of the gel are provided in low concentration and are well solvated by the small molecule liquid crystal without producing unacceptable slowing of its electrooptic response. During formation of the gel, a desired orientation is locked into the gel by physical or chemical cross-linking of the polymer chains. The electro-optically active polymer is then utilized to direct the orientation in the liquid crystal gel in the “field off” state of a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A compound having formula (4) wherein: D4 is an electron donor moiety; C4 is a conjugated bridging moiety; A4 is an electron acceptor moiety; S4 is a hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic moiety, or a hetero-acyclic moiety; b? is an integer; Z4 is a polymerizable moiety; and e? is the degree of polymerization.

Abstract: Liquid crystal mixture comprising compounds of formula (I) wherein R1: is H or a linear or branched alkyl group or branched alkenyl group R2: stands for a) H or F b) a linear or branched alkyl group or a linear or branched alkenyl group c) a radical wherein R3, R4, R5, R6: are an alkyl group M1, M2: represent independently from another a single bond, —OC(?O), —C(?O)O—, —OCH2—, —NH— A: is a) a linear or branched alkan-?,?-diylgroup or alkene-?,?-diyl group b) the group —C(?Y)— wherein Y is CH-Z with Z being phenylen-1,4-diyl, optionally substituted by one to three halogenatoms, alkyl or alkyloxy groups, c) the group —CHY wherein Y is CH2-Z with Z being phenylen-1,4-diyl, optionally substituted by one to three halogenatoms, alkyl or alkyloxy groups d) a group wherein p, q are 0, 1 or 2; M3 is a single bond or —OC(?O)—, —C(?O)O—, —OCH2—, —CH2O—, —C?C—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2CH2— the radicals are phenylen-1,4-diyl, X is H, OH, a linear or branched alkyl or alkyloxy group, m: is 0 or 1 X and M1-(A

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) where: R1, R2 are each independently a) H b) -M1-A1-R5 c) a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to 16 carbon atoms or a straight-chain or branched alkenyl radical having from 2 to 16 carbon atoms, where c1) one or more nonadjacent and nonterminal CH2 groups may be replaced by —O—, —C(?O)O—, —O—C(?O)—, —O—C(?O)—O—, —C(?O)— or —Si(CH3)2—, and/or c2) one CH2 group may be replaced by —C?C—, cyclopropane-1,2-diyl, cyclobutane-1,3-diyl, cyclohexane-1,4-diyl or phenylene-1,4-diyl, and/or c3) one or more hydrogen atoms may be replaced by F and/or Cl, p, q, r are each independently 0 or 1 M1—is —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CH2—O—, —O—CH2—, —CF2—O—, —O—CF2—, —CH?CH—, —CF?CF—, —C?C—, —CH2—CH2—CO—O—, —O—CO—CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, —CF2—CF2—, —(CH2)4—, —OC(?O)CF?CF— or a single bond, A1 is 1,4-phenylene where one or two hydrogen atoms may be replaced by F, Cl, CN and/or OCF3, or up to three hydrogen atoms may be replaced by fluorine, 1,4-cyclohexylene where one or two hydrogen at

Abstract: The present invention consists of materials and a processing method for coating rigid-rod poly(ionomers) or salts thereof, in a solvent system, directionally on charged surfaces resulting in the formation of liquid crystal display surfaces with planar alignment and pretilt.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline gel composition including a liquid crystalline compound, and a gelling agent having a structural unit represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group having at least one carbon atom, X represents a divalent organic group having at least one carbon atom, Y represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having at least one carbon atom, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group having at least one carbon atom, and n is an integer of at least 1. A display medium including a pair of substrates each having an electrode thereon, and a layer of the above liquid crystalline gel composition interposed between the pair of substrates.

Abstract: A liquid crystal screen display is disclosed which is capable of restraining occurrence of display unevenness. In the display of the invention, a conductive member to which a negative voltage is applied is placed between a substrate and an alignment layer so as to be in partial contact with the alignment layer. Uneven ion distribution attributable to ion generation within broken or pin hole parts of an overcoat film is restrained, for instance, by exposing gate signal lines etc. to the alignment layer so that ions are intentionally generated in the regions of the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the exposed regions.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium having high twist, to the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, and to displays containing this medium.

Abstract: High-dielectric colorless or virtually colorless dopants for low-voltage and tunable clearing temperature liquid-crystal devices. These dopant compounds help reduce the operation voltage for both polar and non-polar liquid-crystal (LC) mixtures. Methods for making and using these dopant compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: There are disclosed novel compounds, liquid crystal compositions, polymers, optically anisotropic products, and optical or liquid crystal elements that have large refractive index anisotropy, mix easily with other liquid crystals, have advantageous stability against light, and exhibit absorption at practically short wavelength in the ultraviolet region. The compounds are represented by the formula (1) and have a phenylacetylene structure, wherein difference ?E in energy of HOMO of parts (1-1), (1-2) and (1-3) calculated by the method of molecular orbitals is not less than 0.3 electronvolt, and the polarizability anisotropy ?? of a molecule represented by the formula (1) calculated in the same way is not lower than 500 A.U.: (A1 to A4: H, F, alkyl or alkoxy group of C1 to C10 optionally substituted with F; P1, P2: structure fulfilling the conditions of HOMO energy and polarizability).

Abstract: An active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer, an orientation film, a scanning signal electrode, an image signal electrode, a pixel electrode and an active device, each provided between the liquid crystal layer and one substrate, and a polarizer provided on the outer sides of the substrates, for changing an optical characteristic according to an orientation state of the liquid crystal layer. The electrodes are arranged so as to apply an electric field, mainly parallel to the substrates. At least one of the electrodes is disposed between at least two dielectric layers disposed above and below the at least one of the electrodes, and the resistivity of the liquid crystal layer is set at a value sufficient to substantially prevent disturbance of the orientation of the liquid crystal layer due to static electricity.

Abstract: 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. This object is achieved by providing a liquid crystalline polyester resin composition comprising a liquid crystalline polyester and at least one phosphite compound of the formula (I): wherein, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl group, and R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl group.

Abstract: An optically active compound containing 5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′-octahydro-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol of the general formula (1) as an asymmetric source, wherein n is an integer of 1 to 10, Y is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a phenyl group substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a phenyl group substituted with an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X is a single bond (—), —OOC— or —OCH2—, and each of A and B is a substituent formed by specifically combining rings selected from cyclohexane, benzene, pyrimidine, naphthalene, dioxane, etc.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) 1

Abstract: The invention provides liquid crystal switching devices, liquid crystal cells made from the switching devices, and electrooptical cells made from the switching devices. The invention further provides methods for methods for changing the orientation of a liquid crystal in a liquid crystal switching device. The liquid crystal switching devices are constructed from a redox-active material supported by a substrate and a liquid crystal having a salt dispersed therein disposed atop the redox-active material.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one liquid crystal compound and at least one anthraquinone compound represented by formula (1) below: Formula (1) (wherein R2 to R8 each independently represents a hydrogen or substituent; Het is a sulfur or oxygen; B1 and B2 each independently represents an optionally substituted arylene, heteroarylene, cycloalkan-diyl or cycloalken-diyl; Q1 is a bivalent linking group; C1 is an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkokycarbonyl or acyloxy; p, q and r each represents a number from 0 to 5 and n is a number from 1 to 3 satisfying 3≦(p+r)×n≦10; when plural {(B1)p-(Q1)q-(B2)r} are present, these may be the same or different) was disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid crystal composition comprising at least a liquid crystal compound including at least one polymerizing group, a chiral agent and a polymerization initiator, and being filtered using a filter having a pore size of 1 &mgr;m or less; a liquid crystal composition comprising the components of the above-described liquid crystal composition, an air-interface orientation agent and a solvent, and having a viscosity ranging from 1 to 100 cP; a color filter produced using one of these compositions; and a liquid crystal display device employing the color filter.

Abstract: This invention provides composite materials that combine the material properties of hydrophobic polymers with internal structure and order provided by polymerization of lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs). Composites, particularly nanocomposites, are made by forming a LLC assembly that has hydrophobic regions and hydrophilic regions, combining hydrophobic polymer in the assembly and polymerizing the polymerizable LLC monomers in the assembly. The hydrophobic polymer, polymerized LLC assembly or both can be crosslinked in the composite. Nanoporous composites, particularly those with uniform-sized pores and/or with uniform pores distribution can be prepared in this way. In addition, complex polymers in which a second polymeric material, which may be organic or inorganic, can be introduced into the pores or other structural features of the composite can be prepared.