Abstract: A switchable panel is described that includes exterior layers, a switchable component disposed between the exterior layers, a lamination frame extending from outer edges of the switchable component to outer edges of the panel between the exterior layers, and spacers embedded within the lamination frame. The spacers are configured to prohibit the exterior layers from moving toward each other at the outer edges of the panel when a central portion of the panel experiences tension.

Abstract: An optical film includes a plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals and organic solid crystal structures at least partially surrounding the plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals. A method of making the optical film includes obtaining a substrate with an alignment layer and a film of a first solution on the alignment layer. The first solution includes liquid crystals and organic crystal molecules. The liquid crystals form a plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals on the alignment layer. The method also includes forming organic solid crystal structures by crystallizing the organic crystal molecules. The organic solid crystal structures at least partially surround the plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals.

Abstract: Provided are an optical element including a first optically-anisotropic layer consisting of a cured layer of a composition including a first liquid crystal compound, in which the first optically-anisotropic layer has 0.24 or more of a refractive index anisotropy ?n550 which is measured with light having a wavelength of 550 nm, the first optically-anisotropic layer has a first liquid crystal alignment pattern in which a direction of an optical axis derived from the first liquid crystal compound continuously changes rotationally in at least one in-plane direction, and in the first liquid crystal alignment pattern, in a case where a length ? over which the direction of the optical axis rotates 180° in a plane is defined as a single period, the length ? of the single period is 1.6 ?m or less; a method for forming a photo-alignment pattern; and a method for manufacturing an optical element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a display apparatus for vehicles and a method of controlling the same. The display apparatus for vehicles includes a projection glass having a variable transmittance, a variable glass driving unit configured to adjust the transmittance of the projection glass, a projector configured to display an image on the projection glass, an image input unit configured to receive an image to be projected onto the projection glass, a mode selection unit configured to select an operation mode of the projection glass, and a control unit configured, according to the selection of the mode selection unit, to drive the variable glass driving unit to adjust the transmittance of the projection glass and to project the image, input from the image input unit, onto the projection glass through the projector.

Abstract: The liquid crystal film cell of the present application can control expansion of a base film at a high temperature by applying an expansion control layer having a high-temperature expansion coefficient different from that of the base film thereto, thereby effectively maintaining a cell gap at a high temperature, whereby high-temperature durability can be improved and gravity defects can be eliminated.

Abstract: Many embodiments in accordance with the invention are directed towards waveguides implementing birefringence control. In some embodiments, the waveguide includes a birefringent grating layer and a birefringence control layer. In further embodiments, the birefringence control layer is compact and efficient. Such structures can be utilized for various applications, including but not limited to: compensating for polarization related losses in holographic waveguides; providing three-dimensional LC director alignment in waveguides based on Bragg gratings; and spatially varying angular/spectral bandwidth for homogenizing the output from a waveguide. In some embodiments, a polarization-maintaining, wide-angle, and high-reflection waveguide cladding with polarization compensation is implemented for grating birefringence. In several embodiments, a thin polarization control layer is implemented for providing either quarter wave or half wave retardation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device having an improved picture quality by overcoming a problem of residual images through the use of a liquid crystal layer including an additive therein. The liquid crystal display device may include a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and the liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules, and the additive for preventing a reaction between the liquid crystal molecules and impurities.

Abstract: The present application relates to a liquid crystal cell, a method for preparing a liquid crystal cell and a display device. An exemplary liquid crystal cell may be applied to various types of display devices so as to control a viewing angle or light transmittance of the display device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wide viewing angle liquid crystal display device working in normally white mode. An wide viewing angle IPS mode TFT-LCD operating in a normally white mode comprises a first polarizer having a first polarizing axis parallel to a first direction; a second polarizer having a second polarizing axis parallel to the first direction; and liquid crystal molecules disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, and having an initial alignment direction parallel to the first direction. The wide view angle IPS mode TFT-LCD according to the present disclosure is a operating in normally white mode which represents full white gray-scale without yellowish phenomenon, and does not need any additional optical film for overcoming the yellowish phenomenon so that the manufacturing process is simply and cost is lower than the LCD according to the related art.

Abstract: A method of making a wide temperature-range smectic liquid crystal material comprises taking a wide temperature-range nematic mixture and doping this with a mesogenic silicon-containing material. Aspects of the invention provide wide temperature-range smectic materials and devices using the smectic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-optical device comprising a cell of polymer-stabilized blue phase (PSBP) liquid crystal under an electrical field and a method of controlling the reflection and transmission of an incident electromagnetic radiation such as visible light, by way of controlling the electrical field. The invention exhibits merits such as cost-effectiveness; simpler manufacturability due to the removal of requirements of polarizer and color filter; and fast switching, among others.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel that suppresses the temperature dependence of transmittance-gradation characteristics and thus overcomes problems in which significant changes in transmittance-gradation characteristics are caused by the effects of environmental temperature and a light source to lead to the degradation of display performance, and a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel of the present invention includes a liquid crystal medium containing a plurality of liquid crystal compounds each having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy, the liquid crystal medium being held between a first substrate and a second substrate that are located opposite each other, and a side of each of the substrates in contact with the liquid crystal medium having vertical alignment properties for the liquid crystal compounds.

Abstract: A liquid crystal medium having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of a liquid crystal phase, a large refractive index anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy and an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase is described. A liquid crystal composition is characterized by exhibiting the optically isotropic liquid crystal phase and containing achiral component T containing at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (1) as a first component, and a chiral agent: wherein, for example, R1 is alkyl having 1 to 20 carbons, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and L6 are independently hydrogen or fluorine, and X1 is halogen.

Abstract: A system having a vertically-aligned negative delta E nematic liquid crystal host material and a small amount of liquid crystal polymer is provided. The liquid crystal polymer improves the switching speed of a vertically aligned nematic system without sacrificing contrast or viewing angle.

Abstract: The nematic liquid crystal composition exhibits a negative dielectric anisotropy (??), the liquid crystal composition being useful as a liquid crystal display material, and a liquid crystal display element using the same. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention has a large absolute value of the dielectric anisotropy thereof and a low viscosity. By using this liquid crystal composition, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display element which has a high contrast, high-speed responsiveness, and good display quality in which image sticking and display defects are not generated. The liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition is a useful display element which realizes both high-speed response and suppression of display defects. In particular, the liquid crystal display element is useful as a liquid crystal display element for active-matrix driving, and can be applied to, for example, a VA-type or PSVA-type liquid crystal display element.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, low minimum temperature thereof, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large negative dielectric anisotropy and specific resistance, high stability to ultraviolet light and heat; a liquid crystal composition having a suitable balance regarding at least two thereof; and an AM device having short response time, large voltage holding ratio and contrast ratio, long life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition has nematic phase, and contains as a first component a specific compound having large dielectric anisotropy and as a second component a specific compound having small viscosity, and may contain as a third component a specific compound having high maximum temperature or large dielectric anisotropy, and as a fourth component a specific compound having high maximum temperature or small viscosity, and a liquid crystal display device includes the composition.

Abstract: A reverse mode liquid crystal display device, including: a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; an insulating layer associated with at least one of the first and second substrates; and a liquid crystal medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes a macrocyclic ether and/or a borane; and a nematic, negative dielectric anisotropic liquid crystal mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to bimesogenic compounds of formula I R1-MG1-Sp-MG2-R2??I wherein R1, R2, MG1, MG2 and Sp have the meaning given in claim 1, to the use of bimesogenic compounds of formula I in liquid crystal media and particular to flexoelectric liquid crystal devices comprising a liquid crystal medium according to the present invention. Furthermore the invention relates to bimesogenic compounds of formula I inducing a second nematic phase in nematic mixtures that do not show this additional phase without compounds of formula I.

Abstract: The nematic liquid crystal composition exhibits a negative dielectric anisotropy (??), the liquid crystal composition being useful as a liquid crystal display material, and a liquid crystal display element using the same. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention has a large absolute value of the dielectric anisotropy thereof and a low viscosity. By using this liquid crystal composition, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display element which has a high contrast, high-speed responsiveness, and good display quality in which image sticking and display defects are not generated. The liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition is a useful display element which realizes both high-speed response and suppression of display defects. In particular, the liquid crystal display element is useful as a liquid crystal display element for active-matrix driving, and can be applied to, for example, a VA-type or PSVA-type liquid crystal display element.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel (100A) includes: a first substrate (2) and a second substrate (3), a liquid crystal layer (1) retained between the first substrate (2) and the second substrate (3), and plurality of pixels. The liquid crystal layer (1) has a first liquid crystal region (81) and a second liquid crystal region (82) provided outside the first liquid crystal region (81). The first liquid crystal region (81) is essentially composed of a nematic liquid crystal material alone, whereas the second liquid crystal region (82) has a plurality of liquid crystal subregions (11) containing a nematic liquid crystal material and polymer-containing walls (12) formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of liquid crystal subregions (11). The plurality of pixels include pixels accounting for the first liquid crystal region (81) and pixels accounting for the second liquid crystal region (82).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof. The liquid crystal display panel comprises two substrates disposed opposite to each other and a liquid crystal layer filled between the two substrates, and the liquid crystal layer is formed from a mixture, comprising discotic liquid crystal, nematic liquid crystal and photoinitiator, by UV-light irradiation; the mixture comprises 5%˜50% by mass of discotic liquid crystal, 40˜90% by mass of nematic liquid crystal, and 0.05%˜10% by mass of photoinitiator. The liquid crystal panel can have reduced response time.

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 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: Thermochromic liquid crystal filters are fabricated by providing two polarizers oriented at offset polarity with respect to each other; providing alignment structures adjacent the inner surfaces of the polarizers; placing a plurality of spacers between the polarizers; and filling a space created by the spacers with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a depolarizer in a nematic state. The filter acts as a wave block when the liquid crystal is in an isotropic state. Alternatively, the filters can be created by encapsulating a thermochromic liquid crystal with a polymer material to form a flexible film and orienting the thermochromic liquid crystal in the polymer material to create a structure that functions as a thermochromic optical filter. Such filters can control the flow of light and radiant heat through selective reflection, transmission, absorption, and/or re-emission. The filters have particular application in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films and materials.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, low minimum temperature thereof, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large negative dielectric anisotropy and specific resistance, high stability to ultraviolet light and heat; a liquid crystal composition having a suitable balance regarding at least two thereof; and an AM device having short response time, large voltage holding ratio and contrast ratio, long life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition has nematic phase, and contains as a first component a specific compound having large dielectric anisotropy and as a second component a specific compound having small viscosity, and may contain as a third component a specific compound having high maximum temperature or large dielectric anisotropy, and as a fourth component a specific compound having high maximum temperature or small viscosity, and a liquid crystal display device includes the composition.

Abstract: A composition including nanocomposites formed from blue phase liquid crystals that are stabilized with dopants and nanorods such as metallic nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes. Devices including the compositions are disclosed that provide increases temperature ranges as well as reduction in threshold voltage and turn on voltage, in addition to the inherent blue phase liquid crystal properties of sub-millisecond response time in the field induced Kerr effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy which comprises a) one or more compounds of formula I b) one or more compounds of formula II and c) one or more compounds selected from the compounds of formulae III-1 to III-4 in which the parameters have the meanings indicated herein, 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, to displays of this type which contain a liquid-crystalline medium of this type, and to the use of the compounds of the formula I for the stabilisation of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of formula II and one or more compounds selected from the compounds of formulae III-1 to III-4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal panel, a liquid crystal display device and to a liquid crystal medium having a negative dielectric anisotropy ??.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switch element, which is thermoresponsive and which switches between a less transmissive state for radiant energy and a more transmissive state for radiant energy, and which comprises a liquid-crystalline medium. The invention furthermore relates to the use of the switch element for the regulation of radiant energy flow between interior spaces and the environment and for the regulation of the temperature of interior spaces. The invention furthermore relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, characterised in that it comprises a compound of the formula (I), in particular for use in the switch elements according to the invention.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell, a precursor of the liquid crystal layer, a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal cell, and use of the liquid crystal cell are provided. The liquid crystal cell may be manufactured simply in a consecutive manner using a roll-to-roll process. Also, the liquid crystal cell may be realized as a flexible device, and have an excellent contrast ratio. Such a liquid crystal cell can be applied in various applications including smart windows, window-protecting films, flexible display devices, active retarders for displaying 3D images, or viewing angle-adjusting films.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an electrooptic cell, which includes two plates of optically transparent material and at least one thickness of a composite gel based on a smectic liquid crystal and on a polymer provided between the plates, wherein the gel is in a smectic phase at ambient temperature. The method includes injecting a mixture of a ferroelectric and/or anti-ferroelectric smectic liquid and a monomer between the plates, wherein the monomer content of the mixture is between 5 and 25% by weight. The mixture is heated to above its smectic phase/nematic phase transmission temperature so that the mixture is in the nematic phase. The mixture is irradiated, by ultraviolet radiation, so as to polymerize the monomer and thus obtain the gel. During the irradiation step, an electric or magnetic field is applied to the mixture.

Abstract: A watermark formed of a bistable material, and a method of forming the watermark, are described.

Abstract: A watermark formed of a bistable material, and a method of forming the watermark, are described.

Abstract: A photodisplay device in which an optically addressed image can be viewed indefinitely, erased and readdressed with a new image is disclosed. Optically responsive reversible photochiral materials are incorporated into a bistable cholesteric liquid crystal in an electrooptic display cell. A high resolution image exposed on the cell is fixed by a low voltage pulse to unpatterned electrodes and can be, at a later time, erased with a high voltage pulse.

Abstract: Nematic liquid crystal cells with positive dielectric anisotropy that include colloidal suspensions having nanoclusters (e.g., CdTe nanoclusters, CdSe nanoclusters) that include a pure monolayer of ligands are provided as well as methods of inducing Freedericksz transitions in the nematic liquid crystal cells and methods of controlling the alignment of a liquid crystal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) having a liquid crystal layer is provided. In one embodiment, the liquid crystal layer includes a nematic liquid crystal material having liquid crystal molecules in an untwisted state. A chiral dopant is dispersed within the liquid crystal layer and configured to bias the liquid crystal molecules toward a twisted state. Furthermore, a polymer network is disposed among the liquid crystal molecules and configured to bias the liquid crystal molecules toward the untwisted state. Various additional devices and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Nematic liquid crystal cells with positive dielectric anisotropy that include colloidal suspensions having nanoclusters are provided as well as methods of inducing Freedericksz transitions therein and methods of controlling the alignment of a liquid crystal.

Abstract: A composition including nanocomposites formed from blue phase liquid crystals that are stabilized with dopants and nanorods such as metallic nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes. Devices including the compositions are disclosed that provide increases temperature ranges as well as reduction, in threshold voltage and turn on voltage, in addition to the inherent blue phase liquid crystal properties of sub-millisecond response time in the field induced Kerr effect.

Abstract: A super-twist nematic (STN) liquid crystal (LC) light shutter with improved contrast performance, lower power requirements and enhanced off-axis performance. Compensator components may be disposed in front of and, in some cases, behind the liquid crystal cell. In some embodiments, a STN LC cell with a twist angle of 270 degrees may be used. In other embodiments, a STN LC cell with a twist angle ranging between just greater than 270 degrees and 285 degrees may be used. Also disclosed is a system incorporating the various disclosed STN LC shutters.

Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal display panel capable of performing data programming and/or data erasing via a polarized light is provided. The reflective liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a transflective film, a retarder and a polarizer. The second substrate is disposed over the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is located between the first substrate and the second substrate and an optical aligned material is doped in the liquid crystal layer. The transflective film is disposed below the first substrate, and the transflective film allows the polarized light to pass through, so that the orientation of the optical aligned material doped liquid crystal layer can be controlled by the polarized light. The transflective film reflects external light source. The retarder is disposed between the transflective film and the first substrate. The polarizer is disposed on the second substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) which can be driven at a low voltage and has a fast response time. The LCD includes a liquid crystal composition interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the liquid crystal composition includes a first polar liquid crystal compound and a second polar liquid crystal compound, each in an amount of 20% or less by weight based on a weight of the liquid crystal composition, wherein the first polar liquid crystal compound is represented by and the second polar liquid crystal compound is represented by at least one of where each of R1, R2, and R3, and R4 independently is an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or an alkenyl group having about 2 to about 15 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition is provided 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 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. A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase, wherein the first component contains a specific five ring compound having a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy, the second component contains a specific compound having a small viscosity, and the third component contains a specific four ring compound having a high maximum temperature.

Abstract: A variable focus liquid crystal lens includes a nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture having a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure, and an electrode for applying a substantially uniform voltage to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture. The lens is created within a cell by applying a substantially uniform electric field to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture within the cell, while simultaneously irradiating the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture using a laser beam having a shaped intensity distribution, so as to induce formation of a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure within the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization switching liquid crystal element 1 having TN liquid crystal 7 retained between two transparent substrates 2a and 2b for transmitting at least visible polarized light with the polarized light transmission axis selectively rotated by 90 degrees when a voltage is selectively applied to the TN liquid crystal 7, wherein a phase difference u of said TN liquid crystal 7 is defined by the following equation: u=2×?n×d/?, where ?n is the refractive index anisotropy of said TN liquid crystal 7, d is the thickness of said TN liquid crystal 7, and ? is the wavelength of said polarized light, and a transmittance T of said polarization switching liquid crystal element measured with polarization plates on the incident and outgoing sides is defined by the following equation: T=(½)×sin2{?(1+u2)1/2/2}/(1+u2), and wherein the phase difference u includes a value 1.7 and the transmittance T is 0.1 or lower when the ? ranges from 400 nm to 700 nm.

Abstract: A chiral compound of formula (I) or (II) is provided, wherein each of R1 and R2 independently, is hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, amino, nitrile, C1-10 alkyl, or C1-10 alkoxyl. A liquid crystal composition comprising 80-99.5 parts by weight of a liquid crystal host; and 0.5-20 parts by weight of the chiral compound as described above is also provided.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprising a bifunctional (meth)acrylate compound represented by general formula (1) and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate compound having a nitrile group at the terminal thereof represented by general formula (2). The mass ratio of them (the former/the latter) is from 90/10 to 40/60.

Abstract: The invention relates 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexahydro-s-indacene derivatives and 6,7-dihydro-5H-indeno[5,6-d]-1,3-dioxole derivatives, and to the use thereof as component(s) in liquid-crystalline media. In addition, the present invention relates to liquid-crystal and electro-optical display elements which contain the liquid-crystalline media according to the invention.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device being resistant to display unevenness without loss of responsivity and being capable of securing configurational stability is provided. A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules and a polymer compound including a structure represented by Chemical Formula 1; and a pair of substrates facing each other with the liquid crystal layer in between, where m and n each are an integer of 1 to 4 both inclusive.

Abstract: A light-modulating material includes a transparent front surface layer, an intermediate layer including a liquid crystal forming an isotropic phase and a transparent back surface layer, laminated in this order.

Abstract: A laminated structure comprising, at least one optically anisotropic layer formed of a liquid crystalline composition comprising a compound having two or more types of reactive groups, and at least one photosensitive polymer layer. The laminated structure is useful for forming an optically anisotropic layer inside of a liquid crystal cell. The laminated structure is also useful for forming a liquid crystal cell substrate with an optically anisotropic layer having an optically compensating ability, inside of a liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: Subject The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition 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 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 large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.