Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium of negative dielectric anisotropy based on a mixture of polar compounds, which comprises at least one compound selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IA, IB and IC in which R1A, R2A, R1B, R2B, R1C, R2C, L, m, n, o, p and b have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel liquid-crystal compounds, processes and intermediates for the preparation thereof, the use thereof for optical, electro-optical and electronic purposes, in particular in liquid-crystal (LC) media and LC displays, and to LC media and LC displays containing the same.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal polyester resin composition according to the present invention contains 100 parts by mass of a liquid-crystal polyester (A), 50 to 150 parts by mass of a titanium oxide (B) having been subjected to an aluminum oxide treatment, a silicon oxide treatment and an organosiloxane treatment as surface treatments, and 0 to 50 parts by mass of an inorganic fibrous filler (C).

Abstract: A method of producing a liquid crystal polyester composition, the twin-screw extruder including a cylinder having a supply port for supplying the liquid crystal polyester, a first addition port for adding the filler other than fibrous fillers and a second addition port for adding a fibrous filler which are provided downstream of the supply port, and a screw provided with kneading portions on the upstream side and downstream side of the first addition port, a resin temperature (T1) of the liquid crystal polyester after kneading in the nearest upstream kneading portion satisfying formula (1), and a resin temperature (T2) of the liquid crystal polyester after kneading in the nearest downstream kneading portion satisfying formula (2): FT?100(° C.)?T1?FT+20(° C.)??(1) FT?100(° C.)?T2?FT+30(° C.)??(2) wherein FT represents the flow starting temperature of the liquid crystal polyester.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition is disclosed, which includes a liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy and at least two different kinds of reactive monomers. A proportion The amount of the at least two different kinds of the reactive monomers in the total weight of the liquid crystal composition is ranges from 0.05% to 10% by weight. Additionally, a liquid crystal display using the liquid crystal composition as well as methods and uses thereof are further provided.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by formula (I) is disclosed. R0 and R1 represent a hydrogen atom, or a C1-4 alkyl group, provided that at least one of R0 and R1 represent a C1-4 alkyl group; A0, A1, B0 and B1 represent a single bond, or a divalent linking group having a cyclic structure; X0, X1, Y0 and Y1 represent a single bond, —O—, —S—, —OCO—, —COO—, —OCOO—, —NR2CO—, —CONR2—, —OCONR2—, —NR2COO—, —NR2CONR2—, —C?N— or —N?C—; Q0 and Q1 a single bond or a divalent aliphatic group; Z0 and Z1 represent a hydrogen atom, cyano, halogen atom or polymerizable group; and n and m each independently represent an integer of from 0 to 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and aggregated particles of fibrous crystals. According to the thermoplastic resin composition, a molded articles which adequately reduce a defect in appearance can be obtained.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by formula (I) is disclosed. R0 and R1 represent a hydrogen atom, or C1-4 alkyl; L0 and L1 represent a hydrogen atom, or C1-4 alkyl group; A0 and A1 represent a divalent linking group having a 5- to 12-membered cyclic structure; B0 and B1 represent a single bond or a divalent linking group having a 5- to 12-membered cyclic structure; D0 and D1 represent —O—, —S—, or —NR2—; X0 and X1 represent a hydrogen atom, acyl group or cyano; Y0 and Y1 represent a single bond or a divalent group; Q0 and Q1 represent a C1-20 divalent aliphatic group; Z0 and Z1 represent a hydrogen atom, cyano, halogen atom or polymerizable group; and n and m each independently represent an integer of from 0 to 2.

Abstract: A retardation film and formula thereof, and method for manufacturing the same are provided. Furthermore, the retardation film is applied to compensate TFT-LCD viewing angle. Referring to the formula of the invention, the positive A film-embedded negative C optically anisotropic coating of the retardation film can be formed by single step coating, and the retardation film with net negative C symmetry in whole is easily manufactured.

Abstract: A compound of formula (1): wherein A1 and A2 are —O—, —NR—, —S—, or —CO—, in which R is a hydrogen atom or substituent; Z is one or two atoms selected from a carbon atom or a non-metal atom of Group 14, 15 or 16 in the Periodic Table, and forms a five- or six-membered ring with the C—C?C—C or C?C—C?C; R1, R2, and R3 each are a substituent; m is an integer of 0 to 4; L1 and L2 are a single bond or divalent linking group; X is a non-metal atom of Group 14, 15 or 16 in the Periodic Table, and may have a hydrogen atom or R4; and at least one of R, R1, R2, R3, and R4 is substituted with a polymerizable group; a liquid crystal composition, an optical film, a retardation sheet, a polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A nematic liquid crystal composition of the present invention includes at least 20% by weight of one, or two or more compounds selected from compound group A; and 5 to 50% by weight of one, or two or more compounds selected from compound group B, wherein the relative proportions of the above-mentioned compounds used in the nematic liquid crystal composition is determined to simultaneously obtain the specific physical characteristics for the composition, and an anchoring breaking voltage U?/4 is less than or equal to 25 V when the product (?n·d) of the refractive index anisotropy (?n) at 20° C. and the thickness (d) is 140 nm and the liquid crystal composition is confined between two substrates for a bistable nematic liquid crystal display in which at least one of the substrates have a weak zenithal anchoring force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to low viscosity, broad range nematic media having large birefringence and moderately large dielectric anisotropy. The nematic media are useful in a variety of electrooptical devices, including electronic lenses.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal composition is provided that has a wide range where a liquid crystal phase is exhibited, has excellent solubility in an organic solvent, and is facilitated in control of an alignment state. The use of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition provides a polymerizable liquid crystal composition that has good solubility in a solvent with high safety, such as PGMEA, and can control various alignment states. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition in one aspect contains a fluorenone derivative represented by the formula (1) and a compound having a bisphenol skeleton represented by the formula (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectrically positive liquid-crystalline media comprising in each case one or more compounds of the formula I in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated in the specification, and optionally one or more further dielectrically positive compounds and optionally one or more further dielectrically neutral compounds, and to liquid-crystal displays containing these media, especially to active-matrix displays and in particular to TN, IPS and FFS displays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component for high-frequency technology or for the microwave range and millimetre wave range of the electromagnetic spectrum, characterised in that it contains a liquid-crystal compound of the formula I in which the parameters have the respective meanings given in the claims or in the text, or a liquid-crystal medium which itself comprises one or more compounds of this formula I, and to the corresponding, novel liquid-crystal media, to the use and preparation thereof, and to the production and use of the components. The components according to the invention are particularly suitable as phase shifters in the microwave and millimetre wave range, for microwave and millimetre wave array antennae and very particularly for so-called tuneable reflectarrays.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy and a suitable elastic constant K33 (K33: bend elastic constant), and further having a suitable and negative dielectric anisotropy and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and provides a liquid crystal composition including the compound, wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen, alkyl or the like, ring A1 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or the like, L1 to L4 are hydrogen or fluorine, and at least three of them are fluorine; when the ring A1 is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or the like, Z1 is a single bond, —(CH2)2— or the like, when ring A1 is 1,4-phenylene, Z1 is —(CH2)2— or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal aligning agent which contains a reaction product of at least one selected from the group consisting of a polysiloxane having a structure represented by the following formula (S-1), a hydrolysate thereof and a condensate of the hydrolysate and a compound represented by the following formula (1): (YI in the formula (S-1) is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, R in the formula (1) is a group having an alkyl group with 4 to 20 carbon atoms, a fluoroalkyl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, or a group having 17 to 51 carbon atoms and a steroid skeleton, and XI in the formula (S-1) and Z in the formula (1) are reacted with each other to form a bond group for bonding the silicon atom in the formula (S-1) to R in the formula (1)).

Abstract: The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a low viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding two or more characteristics. The subject is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a high voltage holding ratio, a high contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composite material and a liquid crystal electro-optical display device are provided. A liquid crystal composite material, includes: a liquid crystal; a polymer; and a modified inorganic layered material, wherein the modified inorganic layered material is formed by modifying an inorganic layered material with a conjugated oligomer, and the conjugated oligomer has a quaternary ammonium group or sulfonate group.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition is provided that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The crystal liquid display device using the composition is suitable for an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth, and can be used for a liquid crystal projector, a liquid crystal television and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wholly aromatic liquid-crystalline polyester resin, consisting of the repeating units shown by the formulae [I]-[V]: wherein p, q, r, s and t represent molar proportion (mol %) of repeating units respectively in the liquid-crystalline polyester resin and satisfy the following formulae: 25?p?45; 2?q?10; 10?r?20; 10?s?20; 20?t?40; r>s; p+q+r+s+t=100; having a ratio P1/P2 of equal to or lower than 3.0, wherein P1 is a melt viscosity at a crystalline melting temperature measured under the condition of shear rate 1000 sec?1 and P2 is a melt viscosity at a temperature of the crystalline melting temperature +20° C. measured under the same condition as P1; and having a deflection temperature under load (DTUL) of equal to or higher than 230° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical compounds containing five or more benzene rings arranged in a linear manner and two bridging units between these rings, where at least one of these units represents a —CF2O— bridge. The invention additionally relates to liquid-crystalline media and to high-frequency components comprising these media, in particular antennae, especially for the gigahertz range.

Abstract: A polymerizable compound represented by general formula (1): wherein Z1 and Z2 each represent a (meth)acryloyloxy group; X1 and X2 each independently represent a single bond, an optionally branched alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an ether linkage, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCOO—, a 6-membered ring optionally having a substituent, or a combination thereof; R1 represents —R?, —OR?, —CO—R?, or —OCO—R?; R? represents a halogen atom, an optionally branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or a 6-membered ring optionally having a substituent, L1 and L2 each independently represent a member selected from a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH?CH—, —C?C—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —COO—, and —OCO—; m represents an integer of 1 to 4; and the R1's may be the same or different.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, a backlight assembly providing a light to the display panel, a receiving container receiving the backlight assembly and a heat sink member disposed between the backlight assembly and the receiving container. The display panel includes a first substrate including a pixel electrode formed on a pixel region and electrically connected to a switching device, a first alignment layer formed on the pixel electrode, a second substrate including a common electrode layer facing the first substrate, a second alignment layer formed on the common electrode layer, and a liquid crystal layer including a liquid crystal composition having a nematic-to-isotropic transition temperature higher than about 80° C. Thus, black bruising of liquid crystal may be prevented and/or reduced, thereby enhancing a display quality.

Abstract: Disclosed are a new dichroic dye having liquid crystal properties and dichroic properties and capable of being used for forming a polarization film with excellent heat resistance, durability, and polarizing properties, a composition including the same for a polarization film, a method for forming a polarization plate with excellent durability using the composition, and a polarization plate prepared thereby. The new dichroic dye has a structure of R1-L1-(M,L,D) (where, D is a dichroic structure, M is a structure with liquid crystal properties, R1 is a reactive end functional group, and L and L1 are linking structures). The composition for a polarization film includes the dichroic dye. In the method for forming the polarization plate, the composition for a polarization film is applied to a substrate and cured to prepare the polarization plate. The polarization plate has excellent dichroic ratio, heat resistance, durability, and polarizing properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystalline polyester composition which contains a liquid crystalline polyester and mica and which provides a molded article hard to form blisters therein under a high temperature condition, even when it is molded at a high temperature. The liquid crystalline polyester composition is prepared by incorporating the mica and a fluorocarbon polymer whose flow start temperature is 330° C. or lower into the liquid crystalline polyester. The content of the mica in the liquid crystalline polyester composition is preferably from 15 to 100 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystalline polyester, and the content of the fluorocarbon polymer in the liquid crystalline polyester composition is preferably from 0.2 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystalline polyester.

Abstract: A resin-impregnated sheet obtained by impregnating a fiber sheet with a thermoplastic resin, wherein a weight loss rate upon a heat treatment at 225° C. for 30 minutes is from 6.8 to 10% by mass; and a method for producing a resin-impregnated sheet laminate with a metal foil, which comprises preliminarily pressing a plurality of the resin-impregnated sheets while being laid one upon another, subjecting the obtained resin-impregnated sheet laminate to a heat treatment, and arranging a metal foil on both sides of the sheet laminate, followed by regular pressing.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal composition exhibiting a blue phase, which enables higher contrast, and a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition contains a chiral agent and liquid crystal containing a compound having three electron-withdrawing groups as end groups of a structure where a plurality of rings including at least one aromatic ring is linked to each other directly or with a linking group laid therebetween. The peak of the diffracted wavelength on the longest wavelength side in the reflectance spectrum of the liquid crystal composition is less than or equal to 450 nm, preferably less than or equal to 420 nm. Further, a liquid crystal display device can be provided using the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A liquid-crystalline coating fluid comprises: a lyotropic liquid crystal compound; a vinyl alcohol-based polymer; and a solvent, wherein 0.05 to 1.5 weight parts of vinyl alcohol-based polymer is contained with respect to 100 weight parts of the lyotropic liquid-crystal compound.

Abstract: A medical device, at least a portion of which is formed from a polymer composition including at least one liquid crystal block copolymer having at least one A block and at least one B block wherein the A block is formed of mesogenic repeat units and the B block is a soft block.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal compound having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, and a suitable elastic constant K33, and further having a suitable and negative dielectric anisotropy and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and a liquid crystal composition having stability to heat, light and so forth, a low viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a suitable and negative dielectric anisotropy, and a suitable elastic constant K33, a low threshold voltage, a high maximum temperature (phase-transition temperature on a nematic phase-isotropic phase) of a nematic phase, and a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase. The liquid crystal compound which has a specific structure having fluorine at a lateral position and also having phenylene in which hydrogen on the benzene ring is replaced by fluorine, and a liquid crystal composition containing the compound are prepared.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same, and an optical film using the same liquid crystal composition. More particularly, there is provided a liquid crystal material of a viewing angle compensation film with high quality characteristics, which can improve a contrast ratio and minimize variations in color with viewing angles in a black state, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same liquid crystal material, and a compensation film obtained from the same liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition is provided that satisfies at least one of the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or is properly balanced regarding at least two characteristics. An AM device is provided that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy contains a first component having especially negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a second component having a large negative dielectric anisotropy and a low minimum temperature, a third component having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity. The liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal display utilizing a vertically aligned state of liquid crystal molecules when no voltage is applied and to a method of manufacturing the same. The invention is aimed at providing a liquid crystal display and a method of manufacturing the same in which the existing step for forming vertical alignment films can be omitted to achieve a cost reduction. The liquid crystal display includes a monofunctional monomer having a structure expressed by X—R (where X represents an acrylate group or a methacrylate group, and R represents an organic group having a steroid skeleton). A liquid crystal material is sandwiched between substrates which is then irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the monofunctional monomer, thereby forming a polymer film at an interface of a substrate. The monofunctional monomer has a hydrophobic skeleton such as an alkyl chain and a photoreactive group on one side of the skeleton.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a liquid composition which contains a liquid crystal polyester, a solvent and an inorganic filler and which provides a liquid crystal polyester-impregnated fiber sheet that is less likely to cause a decrease in strength even when exposed to high humidity; according to a preferred embodiment, the liquid composition is prepared by mixing a liquid crystal polyester, a solvent, and a surface treated silica containing silica having a volume average particle diameter of from 0.1 to 1.5 ?m, the surface of which is treated with a silane compound having at least one kind of group selected from the group consisting of a methacryloyloxy group, a phenyl group, a vinyl group and an epoxy group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electro-optical light-modulation element of the FFS type, and to electro-optical displays and display systems, such as, for example, television screens and computer monitors, which contain elements of this type. The light-modulation elements according to the invention contain a liquid-crystalline modulation medium which has optimised elastic constants and are distinguished, in particular, by high contrast and/or optimised transmission in addition to good contrast, a low viewing-angle dependence, short response times and low addressing voltages. The present invention likewise relates to the liquid-crystalline modulation media used in the electro-optical light-modulation elements.

Abstract: Polar nematic compounds, one example of which has the following structure: is a caged boron structure, where the sphere of the caged boron structure is C and each non-sphere vertex of the caged boron structure is B—H. R is H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, a bicycloalkyl, an alkenyl, a cycloalkenyl, a bicycloalkenyl, an alkynyl, an acyl, an aryl, an alkylaryl, a halogen, a cyano group, or an isothiocyanoto group, or R is a group that forms an ether, a ketone, an ester, a thioester, a sulfide, or a sulfone. X is COOR? or COSR?. R? is H, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, a bicycloalkyl, an alkenyl, a cycloalkenyl, a bicycloalkenyl, an alkynyl, an aryl, a halogen, or a cyano group. The compounds may be used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and in television sets, laptop computers, computer monitors, hand-held communication devices, gaming devices, watches, cash registers, clocks, and calculators having liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline coating solution which comprises: an azo compound represented by the following general formula (I); and a solvent to dissolve the azo compound: wherein Q1 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl group; Q2 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene group or a substituted or unsubstituted naphthylene group; m is an integer from 1 to 5; and M is a counter ion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of dielectrically negative, polar compounds which comprises at least one compound of the formula I in which the parameters have the meanings indicated in claim 1, to the use thereof in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect, and to displays of this type.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition containing a polymerizable compound according to the present invention is used in a liquid crystal display element to which a liquid crystal alignment capability is provided by polymerization. The composition contains a polymerizable compound that polymerizes without a photopolymerization initiator or with only an extremely small amount of photopolymerization initiator. Therefore, the alignment after the polymerization becomes more stable and the display characteristics do not degrade. Thus, the polymerizable compound is suitable as a practical component of the liquid crystal composition. A liquid crystal display element that uses the liquid crystal composition containing a polymerizable compound according to the present invention can be suitably used for VA and IPS liquid crystal display elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I in which R1, R2, A1, A2, A3, A4, Z1, Z2, Z3, V, a, b and c have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one compound of the formula I, and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.

Abstract: A method for alignment treatment of a substrate for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes the steps of: forming an alignment film including a plurality of molecules with curable parts on a substrate; applying an electrical field on the substrate to rotate the curable parts; and curing the curable parts such that the curable parts are cured along a first direction. A manufacturing method of the LCD device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element comprising a pair of transparent substrates, a liquid crystal layer which fills in between the pair of substrates and can form a chiral smectic C phase in homeotropic orientation, and an electrode which generates, at least, an electric field (parallel electric field) in directions parallel to a principal face of the substrate for the liquid crystal layer is provided, wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises, at least, a chiral compound of the following general formula (1-I) or a chiral compound of the following general formula (2-I) and a chiral compound of the following general formula (2 -II) in a base liquid crystal material which can provide a phase sequence of an isotropic liquid phase, a nematic phase, a smectic A phase and a smectic C phase from a higher temperature side, wherein R1, A2, Z1, Z2, m and 1 in formula (1-I), X, R1, R2, and * in formula (2-I), and X, R3, R4, R5, and * in formula (2-II) are defined in the specification.

Abstract: Disclosed are a biaxial liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same, and an optical film using the same liquid crystal composition. More particularly, there is provided a liquid crystal material of a viewing angle compensation film with high quality characteristics, which can improve a contrast ratio and minimize variations in color with viewing angles in a black state, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same liquid crystal material, and a compensation film obtained from the same liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a pair of field generating electrodes disposed on at least one of the first and the second substrates; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and the second substrates; wherein the liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal composition including a polar compound, the polar compound including a compound represented by Formula 1: wherein A represents X is a halogen, R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkoxy group and R2 is a C1-C5 alkyl group or a C1-C5 alkoxy group.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal compound shown by the following formula (I), a polymerizable liquid crystal composition that includes the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a chiral compound polymerizable with the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystalline polymer obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal compound or the polymerizable liquid crystal composition, and an optical anisotropic article that includes the liquid crystalline polymer. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound shows a liquid crystal phase over a wider temperature range, is chemically stable, can be inexpensively produced, and has a wide selective reflection wavelength band ?? (i.e., a large value ?n).

Abstract: Disclosed are: a liquid crystal composition which satisfies at least one property selected from a high upper limit temperature in a nematic phase, a low lower limit temperature in a nematic phase, a low viscosity, high optical anisotropy, high dielectric anisotropy, a high specific resistance, high stability against ultraviolet ray, high stability against heat and the like or has a proper balance between at least two properties selected from the above-mentioned properties; and an AM element having a short response time, a high voltage holding ratio, a high contrast ratio, a long service life and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal compound having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a suitable dielectric anisotropy and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds. The invention also provides a liquid crystal composition containing this liquid crystal compound and a liquid crystal display device containing this liquid crystal composition. The compound is represented by formula (a). Ra is, for example, alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, and Rb is, for example, alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons; La is, for example, hydrogen; and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are, for example, a single bond. The liquid crystal composition comprises this compound. The liquid crystal display device comprises this liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced concerning at least two characteristics. The invention is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that contains a specific five-membered ring compound having a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific compound having a small viscosity as a second component, and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a copolymer for liquid crystal alignment having a photoreactive group, a mesogen group, a thermosetting group, and a crosslinking group, a liquid crystal aligning layer including the copolymer for liquid crystal alignment, and a liquid crystal display including the liquid crystal aligning layer. Since the liquid crystal aligning layer has excellent thermal stability and no residual image, the liquid crystal aligning layer is usefully applied to the liquid crystal display.