Abstract: An electronic paper display screen and a manufacturing method therefor, and a display device. The electronic paper display screen includes a first electronic paper screen and a second liquid crystal display layer which are stacked; the first electronic paper screen is an electrophoretic electronic paper screen, the second liquid crystal display layer is a cholesteric liquid crystal display screen, and the second liquid crystal display layer includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a control drive circuit; the first substrate is provided with multiple first electrodes arranged in a first direction, and the second substrate is provided with multiple second electrodes arranged in a second direction; and at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is further provided with multiple metal wires, the metal wires are respectively connected to the control drive circuit and the electrodes of the substrate to which the metal wires belong.

Abstract: Light-based devices may be provided that emit light. The light-based devices may be incorporated into systems such as vehicles. The light-based devices may include light sources such as light-emitting diodes and lasers. Mirrors may be used to collimate light from the light sources. Light modulators may be used to pattern light from the light sources. The light sources may include light sources of different colors. Arrays of pixels may be used to provide dynamically varying patterns of emitted light. A light source may produce light that is diffracted by an array of diffractive elements on a window. Mechanical and electrical shutters may obscure light sources, mirrors, and light-emitting components mounted on windows.

Abstract: A method for electrically controlling at least one functional element having electrically controllable optical properties, wherein the optical properties are controlled by a control unit, wherein the control unit is connected to at least two transparent flat electrodes of the functional element, and an electrical voltage is applied between the flat electrodes by the control unit, wherein the electrical voltage has a periodic signal profile with a first, variably adjustable frequency and the glazing unit is surrounded by light beams of a second frequency, and wherein the light beams are sensed by a sensor unit and the first frequency is changed as a function of the second frequency, wherein the first frequency is synchronized with the second frequency.

Abstract: A device having scattering which can be varied by liquid crystals includes a stack with a first electrode, an electroactive layer with the liquid crystals being stabilized by the polymeric network, a second electrode. The material exhibits, starting from a temperature referred to as T1, a mesophase referred to as P. At a temperature T? greater than or equal to T1, the stack is capable of exhibiting at least three variable scattering states, which are stable and reversible, in the visible region.

Abstract: A liquid crystal light control apparatus includes a liquid crystal light control film and power supply device that drives liquid crystal light control film. Liquid crystal light control film has a structure wherein liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between paired transparent electrode layers, and used by being adhered to a large transparent member. Power supply device supplies a predetermined AC voltage between terminals a and b of liquid crystal light control film. A condition |Z0|??×RF is set where RF is a DC resistance between terminals a and b of liquid crystal light control film, |Z0| is an output impedance between terminals A and B of power supply device, and predetermined coefficient ?=0.2. In order to protect power supply device, condition Vp/Imax?|Z0|??×RF is set where Vp is output peak voltage of power supply device and Imax is maximum allowable current.

Abstract: A non-polarizer based variable light attenuating device includes a guest-host solution having a liquid crystal host and a guest dichroic dye disposed between first and second conducting layers provided on first and second transparent substrates. The guest-host solution has a low-haze while the guest dye orientation alters between a low light transmitting orientation and a high light transmitting orientation in response to a first voltage supplied to the first and second conducting layers. In response to a second voltage supplied to the first and second conducting layers, the guest-host solution changes to a focal conic light scattering orientation to achieve a high-haze translucent state.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in replicating an image associated with an input-pupil to an output-pupil includes a planar optical waveguide including a bulk-substrate, and also including an input-coupler, an intermediate-component and an output-coupler. The input-coupler couples light corresponding to the image into the bulk-substrate and towards the intermediate-component. The intermediate-component performs horizontal or vertical pupil expansion and directs the light corresponding to the image towards the output-coupler. The output-coupler performs the other one of horizontal or vertical pupil expansion and couples light corresponding to the image, which travels from the input-coupler to the output-coupler, out of the waveguide. The apparatus further includes a volume layer, embedded between first and second major planar surfaces of the bulk-substrate, configured to cause light that is output by the output-coupler to have a more uniform intensity distribution compared to if the volume layer were absent.

Abstract: A solar powered variable light attenuating device includes a liquid crystal cell, a photovoltaic cell in electrical communication with the liquid crystal cell, and a light concentrator having a light absorbing surface and a light emitting surface optically coupled to the photovoltaic cell. At least a portion of light impinging on the light absorbing surface of the light concentrator is concentrated and directed through the light emitting surface to a photon-absorbing portion of the photovoltaic cell to generate a voltage. The generated voltage is used to change the liquid crystal cell from a de-energized state to an energized state in response to sunlight directed toward the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A bistable switchable liquid crystal device is provided in which the device can be switched between a transparent and an opaque state by a predetermined voltage pulse. The device is based on polymer stabilized cholesteric materials. No additional amount of voltage has to be applied to the device in order to sustain the optical states. Therefore, the device is energy-saving.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high scattering smectic liquid crystal material and display device using the same. In the present invention, a series of smectic A phase liquid crystals having compact arrangement of crystal domains or a series of smectic liquid crystal mixed materials having a degree of order higher than that of the smectic A phase and an optical texture different from that of the smectic A phase are obtained by mixing a smectic liquid crystal with an organic compound having a high optical anisotropy (?n) or mixing different types of smectic phases. When used in a smectic stable state liquid crystal display pattern, these materials have high scattering properties and can effectively improve the contrast of a smectic liquid crystal display device. The present invention also improves contrast when it used in a reflective smectic liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A variable focal length achromatic lens includes a flat liquid crystal diffractive lens and a pressure-controlled fluidic refractive lens. The diffractive lens is composed of a flat binary Fresnel zone structure and a thin liquid crystal layer, producing high efficiency and millisecond switching times while applying a low ac voltage input. The focusing power of the diffractive lens is adjusted by electrically modifying the sub-zones and re-establishing phase wrapping points. The refractive lens includes a fluid chamber with a flat glass surface and an opposing elastic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane surface. Inserting fluid volume through a pump system into the clear aperture region alters the membrane curvature and adjusts the refractive lens' focal position. Primary chromatic aberration is remarkably reduced through the coupling of the fluidic and diffractive lenses at a number of selected focal lengths.

Abstract: In a display device having a plurality of scan signal line driving circuits, its display quality is improved. The display device comprises a plurality of scan signal lines, a plurality of image signal lines, and a plurality of scan signal line driving circuits for generating scan signals for driving the scan signal lines. Each of the scan signal line driving circuit internally generates a driving signal having the waveform of such potential variation that the potential decreases with a slope from a high potential to an intermediate potential between the high potential and a low potential. Each of the scan signal line driving circuits further includes a signal wiring for connecting the scan signal line driving circuits to one another and applying the driving signal.

Abstract: A recording device includes: a voltage application unit that applies a voltage exceeding a first threshold value to a display medium; a photosensitive layer in which an impedance changes depending on an irradiated light; and a light irradiation unit that irradiates light of a first intensity that changes the impedance of the display medium at the approximately same time as when the voltage is applied by the voltage application unit and, and when the voltage is no longer applied by the voltage application unit, irradiates light that has a second intensity lower than the first intensity and that damps the residual voltage to the second threshold value or below within a length of time equal to or less than the third threshold value.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal display device in which a first step for applying a high voltage pulse to initialize a pixel and a second step for applying a low voltage pulse to increase a coexistence ratio of a focal conic state to the planar state in the initialized pixel are performed and a gradation value is determined by a cumulative time during which the low voltage pulse is applied, the device includes: a voltage generation circuit; and a driver circuit, wherein: the voltage generation circuit includes: a step-up part that generates a step-up voltage from a power source voltage; a voltage switching part; and a voltage stabilization part that generates the predetermined voltage in accordance with the voltage control signal from the step-up voltage, wherein the voltage stabilization part suppresses variations in output voltage; and the step-up part switches step-up ratios between the first step and the second step.

Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.

Abstract: An OCB-mode liquid crystal device includes a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix on one substrate of a pair of substrates, and transferring an aligned state of liquid crystal sandwiched between the pair of substrates from spray alignment in an initial state to bend alignment to perform display. During the transfer, a voltage application operation of applying an equal voltage to a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to an arbitrary first row, and of applying, to two pixel electrodes adjacent to both sides of one arbitrary pixel electrode among a plurality of pixel electrodes in a second row adjacent to the first row in a column direction, both voltages which are higher than or lower than an applied voltage to the one pixel electrode is performed on at least some of the plurality of pixel electrodes arrayed in a matrix.

Abstract: A bistable switchable liquid crystal device is provided in which the device can be switched between a transparent and an opaque state by a predetermined voltage pulse. The device is based on polymer stabilized cholesteric materials. No additional amount of voltage has to be applied to the device in order to sustain the optical states. Therefore, the device is energy-saving.

Abstract: A semitransparent display (100), suitable for use with an electronic device (700), is provided. The semitransparent display (100), in one embodiment, includes a cholesteric liquid crystal display layer (101) and a translucent electroluminescent layer (102), such as an organic light emitting diode device. Control circuitry (109) is coupled to each layer, and is configured to selectively actuate each layer. The cholesteric liquid crystal display layer (101) can be operated in any of a planar mode (201), a focal conic mode (202), or a homeotropic mode (203). Segments of the cholesteric liquid crystal display layer (101) can be selectively actuated so as to hide and reveal user actuation targets. Capacitive sensors (621,622) can be included so that the semitransparent display (100) works as a touch sensitive user interface. A user can see an object, such as a hand (105) or stylus, from above the semitransparent display (100) when the hand (105) or stylus is placed beneath the semitransparent display (100).

Abstract: An image display device comprises a display panel, a backlight module, a light path modifying device, and a switchable diffuser. The backlight module is to emit light as the display light source of the display panel. The light path modifying device is disposed between the display panel and the backlight module for changing the light path of the light to generate the first display mode in coordination with the display panel. The switchable diffuser is disposed between the light path modifying device and the display panel, and is capable of switching between a transparent mode and a scattering mode. The display device displays the first display mode in the transparent mode and displays the second display mode in the scattering mode.

Abstract: In a cholesteric liquid crystal display device (24), to drive a surface-stabilized layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material into the focal conic state, there is applied drive signal comprising a series of pulses (30, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41). At least one initial pulse has sufficient energy to drive the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material into the homeotropic state and the subsequent pulses have time-averaged energies which reduce to a minimum level at which the layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material is driven into the focal conic state. This produces a focal conic state of particularly low reflectance, which allows a high contrast ratio to be achieved.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is disclosed, including first and second opposing substrates separated by a cell gap. The cell gap has an inner liquid crystal region including a liquid crystal composition, an outer sealant region including a sealant that bonds the first and second opposing substrates together, and a void region between the inner liquid crystal region and the outer sealant region. The sealant may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display assembly including at least two light reflecting liquid crystal displays is also disclosed, wherein at least one of the displays comprises the liquid crystal display disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal display element for displaying an image by driving a liquid crystal and provides a liquid crystal display element capable of multi-level display of high display quality using general-purpose drivers, a method of driving the element, and electronic paper having the element. To display gray level “4”, a pulse voltage of ±32 V is applied at a first step to put a cholesteric liquid crystal in a planar state (level “7”)). Then, a pulse voltage of ±24 V is applied for 2.0 ms at a sub-step to the cholesteric liquid crystal to change the gray level to level “5” that is two steps lower. A pulse voltage of ±24 V is applied for 1.0 ms at another sub-step to cause a further transition of the cholesteric liquid crystal toward a focal conic state, thereby obtaining gray level “4” that is one step lower than level “5”.

Abstract: A display device including: a pair of substrates 10 and 12 placed so as to oppose each other; a plurality of pixel electrodes 16 formed on one 12 of the pair of substrates; a counter electrode 18 formed on the other 10 of the pair of substrates; and a modulation layer 1 provided between the plurality of pixel electrodes 16 and the counter electrode 18, the modulation layer 1 being capable of switching states between a transmitting state in which light is transmitted and a scattering state in which light is scattered. The display device further includes: a plurality of switching elements 13 formed on the one substrate 12 and electrically connected respectively to corresponding pixel electrodes 16; a plurality of wiring lines 14 disposed on the one substrate 12 and at intervals 22 from the plurality of pixel electrodes 16; and a diffraction preventing layer 30 disposed in the intervals 22 between the wiring lines 14 and the pixel electrodes 16.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for reducing speckle in an image produced from a coherent light source includes directing a beam of coherent light at an electrically controlled diffuser. An electrical signal is applied to the electrically controlled diffuser to produce an electrical field across the electrically controlled diffuser layer. At least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the electrical signal are varied to transition the controlled diffuser between a first state and a second state. The varied application of the electrical signal operates to reduce spatial coherence in an image projected through the electrically controlled diffuser.

Abstract: On substrates 2a, 2b of a chiral nematic liquid crystal optical element 1, transparent electrodes 3a, 3b and electrical insulation layers 4a, 4b are formed, and further resin layers 5a, 5b having a pencil hardness of “B” or less are formed on the electrical insulation layers by a spin coating method so as to be in contact with a liquid crystal layer 7. When the surface hardness of the resin layers is to be measured, a glass substrate on which a resin layer is formed by screen-printing is prepared as a test piece, and the test piece is fitted to a pencil-scratching tester. The surface hardness is measured by scratching the test piece with two kinds of testing pencil selected from testing pencils having 17 grades of density.

Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal display devices and driving methods thereof are provided. A cholesteric liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, wherein the cholesteric liquid crystal includes at least a first displaying state and a second displaying state. A capacitance detector measures the displaying state of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer and stores the measured display state as a first output signal or second output signal in a memory device.

Abstract: On substrates 2a, 2b of a chiral nematic liquid crystal optical element 1, transparent electrodes 3a, 3b and electrical insulation layers 4a, 4b are formed, and further, resin layers 5a, 5b hating a pencil hardness of “B” or less are formed on the electrical insulation layers by a spin coating method so as to be in contact with a liquid crystal layer 7. When the surface hardness of the resin layers is to be measured, a glass substrate on which a resin layer is formed by screen-printing is prepared as a test piece, and the test piece is fitted to a pencil-scratching tester. The surface hardness is measured by scratching the test piece with two kinds of testing pencil selected from testing pencils having 17 grades of density.

Abstract: A driving method for a liquid crystal display device with a cholesteric liquid crystal having a memory mode of operation including a first stage of applying a first voltage to change the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal to a homeotropic state, a second stage of applying a second voltage to change the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal to a homogeneous state or a homogeneous/planar-mixed state, and a third stage of applying a third voltage to change the state of the cholesteric liquid crystal from the homogeneous state or the homogeneous/planar-mixed state to a focalconic state.

Abstract: This invention involves one kind of liquid crystal color light switch, made especially from cholesteric liquid crystals. By changing the voltage applied, the reflection wavelength of the color light switch can be controlled, leading to a rapid change of the reflected light from red to green to blue in rapid succession, thus creating a color display. The core technology of this invention is making the voltage applied to the cholesteric liquid crystal less than the untwisted voltage and still in good focal conic state, that is the symmetric axis are in the same direction, and the pitch is varied according to the voltage applied.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus which has: a liquid crystal display which has chiral nematic liquid crystal between a pair of substrates with electrodes thereon and which makes a display by use of selective reflection of the liquid crystal; and a driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal by applying voltages to the electrodes. When an electric field of a specified strength is applied to the chiral nematic liquid crystal, the liquid crystal changes the direction of the helical axis without untwisting. By using this characteristic, the direction of the helical axis of the liquid crystal is changed by changing the direction of the electric field applied thereto, and thereby, the liquid crystal is set to a planar state or a focal-conic state. In this way, writing on the liquid crystal is carried out.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting or reducing intrinsic DC offset potential in a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) are taught. The methods allow the upper and lower assemblies of the LCD device to be manufactured with selected materials while achieving adjusted or reduced intrinsic DC offset potential in the finished LCD device. The methods are especially useful for reflective LCD designs where it is not possible to build the LCD with symmetric assemblies.

Abstract: A display system includes a display arranged to receive an image wise pattern of light to form an image, including, a pair of conductors, at least one conductor being transparent, a layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material disposed between the conductors, the liquid crystal material having multiple stable optical states at zero electrical field, and a light absorber for forming an image wise thermal pattern in the liquid crystal sufficient to change the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal in response to an image wise pattern of light; a display writer, including, a light source for producing a flash of light of sufficient intensity to generate sufficient heat in the light absorber to change the optical state of the cholesteric liquid crystal, a mask located between the light source and the display for defining the image wise pattern of light, a display drive connectable to the conductors for generating an electric field between the conductors for changing the optical state of the cholesteric l

Abstract: A method for writing pixels in a cholesteric liquid crystal display having opposing rows and columns of electrodes and cholesteric liquid crystal material disposed between the rows and columns of electrodes to define an array of pixels, the cholesteric liquid crystals having a plurality of reflective states stable in the absence of an electrical field, one state having a minimum reflection, and another state with maximum reflection includes the steps of: applying voltages to the row an column electrodes to establish a pre-selection pixel voltage having a magnitude and duration effective to change at least one possible reflective state, but ineffective to drive the liquid crystal material to a common state; applying voltages to the row and column electrodes to establish a selection pixel voltage for selecting a final reflective state for the pixel; and applying voltages to the row and column electrodes to establish a post selection pixel voltage for achieving a final desired reflective state.

Abstract: A light modulation medium comprises a light modulation element having a pair of substrates and plural light modulation layers arranged between the substrates to form a multilayer structure and made of cholesteric liquid crystal adapted to change the liquid crystal orientation in response to application of a predetermined electric field, in which the ratio of the threshold electric field at which the liquid crystal orientation is moved from a planar state to a focal conic state of a first light modulation layer of the light modulation element to that of a second light modulation layer is not less than 0.3 and the ratio of the dielectric constant in a planar state of liquid crystal orientation of the first light modulation layer to that of the second light modulation layer is not less than 4.

Abstract: A transaction card having machine readable information and a visible display comprising: a card body; machine readable information on the card body; and a flexible display affixed to the card body for displaying information related to the machine readable information, the display including a pressure-insensitive polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal material having a first planar reflective state and a second transparent focal conic state, which is responsive to an applied voltage to display information wherein said information persists when the voltage is removed, and an array of conductors connected to the display for applying selected voltages from an external display driver to the display to change the state of the display.

Abstract: On substrates 2a, 2b of a chiral nematic liquid crystal optical element 1, transparent electrodes 3a, 3b and electrical insulation layers 4a, 4b are formed, and further, resin layers 5a, 5b having a pencil hardness of “B” or less are formed on the electrical insulation layers by a spin coating method so as to be in contact with a liquid crystal layer 7. When the surface hardness of the resin layers is to be measured, a glass substrate on which a resin layer is formed by screen-printing is prepared as a test piece, and the test piece is fitted to a pencil-scratching tester. The surface hardness is measured by scratching the test piece with two kinds of testing pencil selected from testing pencils having 17 grades of density.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display which carries out matrix driving of a chiral nematic liquid crystal composition, which is capable of displaying an image theron continuously after an electric field applied thereto is turned off, by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal composition through a plurality of scan electrodes and a plurality of data electrodes which face and cross each other with the liquid crystal composition in-between. The nematic liquid crystal which is the main element of the liquid crystal composition mainly contains a liquid crystalline ester compound, a liquid crystalline stilbene compound, a liquid crystalline terphenyl compound or a liquid crystalline tolane compound.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus which has: a liquid crystal display which has chiral nematic liquid crystal between a pair of substrates with electrodes thereon and which makes a display by use of selective reflection of the liquid crystal; and a driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal by applying voltages to the electrodes. When an electric field of a specified strength is applied to the chiral nematic liquid crystal, the liquid crystal changes the direction of the helical axis without untwisting. By using this characteristic, the direction of the helical axis of the liquid crystal is changed by changing the direction of the electric field applied thereto, and thereby, the liquid crystal is set to a planar state or a focal-conic state. In this way, writing on the liquid crystal is carried out.

Abstract: A method for measuring an image sticking defect in a liquid crystal display device includes the steps of grounding a liquid crystal cell, the liquid crystal cell includes an alignment layer, applying a first alternating current voltage to the liquid crystal cell, measuring a first capacitance of the liquid crystal cell, applying an electrical stress to the liquid crystal cell, measuring a second capacitance of the liquid crystal cell, and calculating a capacitance difference between the first capacitance and the second capacitance.

Abstract: Novel addressing schemes for controlling bistable electronically addressable displays include the use of addressing signals with additional signals having opposite polarity and equal integrated signal strength, and addressing schemes that minimize the number of state changes that a display element undergoes. In one embodiment, pre-pulses are employed to apply a pre-stress to an display element that is equal and opposite to the electrical stress applied in addressing the element. In another embodiment, the addressing signal is followed by a post-stressing pulse. Methods for minimizing the number of display elements that must change state to change the image displayed include the determination of a set of elements that must be deactivated and a set of elements that must be activated to change the image depicted by a display. Alternatively, only the elements forming one image are deactivated before the elements forming a different image are activated.

Abstract: On substrates 2a, 2b of a chiral nematic liquid crystal optical element 1, transparent electrodes 3a, 3b and electrical insulation layers 4a, 4b are formed, and further, resin layers 5a, 5b hating a pencil hardness of “B” or less are formed on the electrical insulation layers by a spin coating method so as to be in contact with a liquid crystal layer 7. When the surface hardness of the resin layers is to be measured, a glass substrate on which a resin layer is formed by screen-printing is prepared as a test piece, and the test piece is fitted to a pencil-scratching tester. The surface hardness is measured by scratching the test piece with two kinds of testing pencil selected from testing pencils having 17 grades of density.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes cell wall structure and a chiral nematic liquid crystal material. The cell wall structure and the liquid crystal cooperate to form focal conic and twisted planar textures that are stable in the absence of a field. A device applies an electric field to the liquid crystal for transforming at least a portion of the material to at least one of the focal conic and twisted planar textures. The liquid crystal material has a pitch length effective to reflect radiation having a wavelength in both the visible and the infrared ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum at intensity that is sufficient for viewing by an observer. One liquid crystal material may be disposed in a single region or two or more liquid crystal materials may be used, each in separate regions even without the infrared reflecting layer. One aspect of the invention is directed to a photolithography method for patterning a substrate of the display.

Abstract: A liquid crystal material for a display device includes a liquid crystal material comprising first chiral nematic liquid crystal component and a second component that exhibits no liquid crystalline phase. The second component is present in an amount not greater than 5% by weight based upon the total weight of the liquid crystal display material and is effective to avoid image sticking of the display device when in use. The liquid crystal material has positive dielectric anisotropy. The second component may have a molecular weight not exceeding 205 grams/mole.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition which contains a liquid crystal tolan compound, a liquid crystal ester compound, a liquid crystal phenylcyclohexane compound and at least one chiral agent. A reflective type liquid crystal display has the liquid crystal composition and a columnar structure between substrates with ITO electrodes thereon.

Abstract: A nonmechanical fully electronic multifunctional digital indicator useful for providing elapsed time indications or as event counters is disclosed. The event counter uses a ChLCD-type matrix array and requires unique steps to properly erase and place new information on the display without inadvertently changing the status of individual array elements.

Abstract: A liquid crystal material for a display device includes a first chiral nematic liquid crystal component and a second component that exhibits no liquid crystalline phase at any temperature. The second component is present in an amount effective to reduce the bulk viscosity of the liquid crystal material by at least about 26% at room temperature or is present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight based upon the total weight of the liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal material may have a positive dielectric anisotropy. The second component may have a molecular weight not exceeding 205 grams/mole. Embodiments relate to a display device comprising the present material. Another aspect includes a method of increasing the switching speed in a display that employs the present material.

Abstract: Polymer/cholesteric liquid crystal dispersions are provided in which the liquid crystal phase separated from the polymer matrix to form droplets. The cholesteric liquid crystals were positive dielectric anisotropic. At a zero field condition, the liquid crystal in the droplets was bistable, that is, the liquid crystal can be in either the reflecting planar state or the scattering focal conic state. When the liquid crystal 101 was in the planar texture, the helical axis of the liquid crystal was more or less perpendicular to the cell surface; colored light 105 was Bragg reflected. When the liquid crystal 101 was in the focal conic texture, the helical axis was more or less parallel to the cell surface, incident light was scattering 106 in the forward direction.

Abstract: In a display panel, a first substrate is opposed to a second substrate and interposing a liquid crystal/resin composite layer. If the display panel is a transmission type display, a film for absorbing light is formed on a black matrix and between pixel electrodes. If the display panel is a reflection type display, a film for absorbing light is formed between reflection electrodes. Further, a counterelectrode is made from a multi-layer film of dielectric films and a transparent electrically conductive film for preventing reflection. The film for absorbing light includes pigments which can absorb light modulated by the liquid crystal/resin composite layer. By using the display panel, a projection display system of high contrast and high brightness can be constructed.

Abstract: Driver apparatus and methods of driving at least a portion of a cholesteric liquid crystal ("CLC") panel to a state having a given reflectivity. One of the methods includes the steps of: (1) initially driving the portion to a nematic phase, (2) subsequently driving the portion to a cholesteric phase focal-conic state, the cholesteric phase focal-conic state providing a known reference state for subsequent driving of the portion and (3) thereafter driving the portion to the state having the given reflectivity.

Abstract: A light modulating apparatus containing cholesteric liquid crystals capable of indefinite zero field retention of optical images, including full color and complete gray scale capability, is described. This invention is predicated on establishment of zero field multistable liquid crystal domains representing a continuous distribution of states ranging from the highly reflective planar to the light-scattering focal-conic structures. The zero field multistable domain structure stability is achieved by controlling solid surface-liquid crystal boundary interactions to provide essential equalization of the total system energy of each of the domain structures. This is the first time this equalization, and thus zero field multistability, has been achieved without the use of a polymer gel addition to create rigid polydomains in the liquid crystal mix.