Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal alignment composition for the preparation of a liquid crystal alignment film having enhanced alignment property and stability and exhibiting a high voltage holding ratio, a method for preparing a liquid crystal alignment film using the same, and a liquid crystal alignment film and a liquid crystal display device using the same.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a thermosetting composition with a photo-alignment property, including a copolymer containing a photo-alignment constitutional unit, and a thermal cross-linking constitutional unit in which a thermal cross-linking group is bonded via a straight-chain alkylene group with a carbon number of 4 to 11, or via a polyethylene glycol group with a cycle number of 2 to 5.

Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment agent capable of forming a liquid crystal display element having good resistance to ultraviolet decay and no mura effect, a liquid crystal alignment film, and a liquid crystal display element having the same are provided. The liquid crystal alignment agent includes a polymer (A), a polysiloxane (B), a polymerizable compound (C) containing a benzophenone structure, and a solvent (D). The polymer (A) is obtained by reacting a mixture. The mixture includes a tetracarboxylic dianhydride component (a1) and a diamine component (a2). The polysiloxane (B) contains a polymerizable unsaturated group, wherein the polymerizable unsaturated group includes a group represented by formula (1-1), a group represented by formula (1-2), or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment agent capable of forming a liquid crystal display element having good resistance to ultraviolet decay and no mura effect, a liquid crystal alignment film, and a liquid crystal display element having the same are provided. The liquid crystal alignment agent includes a polymer (A), a polysiloxane (B), a photopolymerizable compound (C), and a solvent (D). The polymer (A) is obtained by reacting a first mixture. The first mixture includes a tetracarboxylic dianhydride component (a1) and a diamine component (a2). The polysiloxane (B) is obtained by reacting a polysiloxane compound and a carboxylic acid compound (b4) having a C4 to C50 long chain. The polysiloxane compound is obtained by reacting a second mixture including a silane compound (b1) containing a polymerizable unsaturated group and a silane compound (b2) containing an epoxy group.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided which is capable of reducing the occurrence of defective display due to variations in the initial alignment direction of a liquid crystal alignment control film in a liquid crystal display of an IPS scheme, realizing the stable liquid crystal alignment, providing excellent mass productivity, and having high image quality with a higher contrast ratio. The liquid crystal display has a liquid crystal layer disposed between a pair of substrates, at least one of the substrates being transparent, and an alignment control film formed between the liquid crystal layer and the substrate. At least one of the alignment control films 109 comprises photoreactive polyimide and/or polyamic acid provided with an alignment control ability by irradiation of substantially linearly polarized light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyimide prepolymer, an alignment film and a method for preparing the same, as well as a liquid display device. The polyimide prepolymer has a repeating unit as shown in Formula (1) and is capped with a capping agent having a phenylethynyl group: wherein Ar is selected from one of the structures of the following Formulae (2) and (3): and n is an integer of between 3 and 8.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided which is capable of reducing the occurrence of defective display due to variations in the initial alignment direction of a liquid crystal alignment control film in a liquid crystal display of an IPS scheme, realizing the stable liquid crystal alignment, providing excellent mass productivity, and having high image quality with a higher contrast ratio. The liquid crystal display has a liquid crystal layer disposed between a pair of substrates, at least one of the substrates being transparent, and an alignment control film formed between the liquid crystal layer and the substrate. At least one of the alignment control films 109 comprises photoreactive polyimide and/or polyamic acid provided with an alignment control ability by irradiation of substantially linearly polarized light.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal display panel that has high contrast and reduced display deficiency, a liquid crystal display panel of the present invention includes: a pair of substrates (1) and (2) facing each other; and a liquid crystal layer (3) sandwiched between the pair of substrates (1) and (2), the pair of substrates (1) and (2) being provided with a pair of respective alignment films (4) and (5) formed thereon and facing each other, the pair of alignment films (4) and (5) being provided with respective polymer films (6) and (7) formed thereon and each made of a monomer in the liquid crystal layer (3), the pair of alignment films (4) and (5) containing a macromolecular compound having a side chain containing a fluorine atom, the liquid crystal layer (3) containing a polymerizable monomer represented by at least one of General Formulae (1) through (3), the polymer films (6) and (7) each being made of the polymerizable monomer represented by at least one of General Formulae (1) through (3), the polymer fil

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a first display panel and a second display panel facing each other; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first display panel and the second display panel and including pre-tilted liquid crystal molecules and a first compound derived from a reactive mesogen; and an alignment layer positioned between the first display panel and the second display panel, wherein the alignment layer includes a polyimide derived from a composition including a dianhydride-based compound, and a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1. In the above Chemical Formula 1, R1 is a substituted or non-substituted C1-C8 alkyl group, R2 is a substituted or non-substituted C8-C30 alkyl group, and A1 is a functional group including a substituted or non-substituted aliphatic ring and a substituted or non-substituted aromatic ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a composition for forming a liquid crystal alignment film capable of forming a liquid crystal alignment film excellent in evenness; and a liquid crystal display device. The present invention provides a composition for forming a liquid crystal alignment film, wherein the composition comprises: a material for forming a liquid crystal alignment film; diethylene glycol diethyl ether; diisobutyl ketone; and at least one of ?-butyrolactone and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as solvents.

Abstract: An alignment film (100) according to the present invention includes: a first alignment layer (102) containing a first polyimide (p1); and a second alignment layer (104) containing a polymerization product (po) resulting from polymerization of a polyfunctional monomer and a second polyimide (p2). The polyfunctional monomer is represented by general formula (1) P1-A1-(Z1-A2)n-P2 (in general formula (1), P1 and P2 each independently of the other are an acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, vinyl, vinyloxy, or epoxy group; A1 and A2 each independently of the other represent a 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-cyclohexane, 2,5-thiophene, or naphthalene-2,6-diyl group; Z1 is a —COO— group, a —OCO— group, a —O— group, a —CONH— group or a single bond, where n is 0, 1, or 2).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided which is capable of reducing the occurrence of defective display due to variations in the initial alignment direction of a liquid crystal alignment control film in a liquid crystal display of an IPS scheme, realizing the stable liquid crystal alignment, providing excellent mass productivity, and having high image quality with a higher contrast ratio. The liquid crystal display has a liquid crystal layer disposed between a pair of substrates, at least one of the substrates being transparent, and an alignment control film formed between the liquid crystal layer and the substrate. At least one of the alignment control films comprises photoreactive polyimide and/or polyamic acid provided with an alignment control ability by irradiation of substantially linearly polarized light.

Abstract: A diamine compound is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound. The compound is represented by one of the general formulae (Ia) and (Ib). It could be shown that such structures, in particular for a specific choice of the residue B, provide, if e.g. used as orientation layers, a photostable, vertically aligning material with an improved VHR.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal aligning agent which can provide a liquid crystal display element having a liquid crystal alignment film provided with alignability for liquid crystal molecules by rubbing without fail and having excellent liquid crystal alignability. The liquid crystal aligning agent comprises at least one selected from a polyamic acid having a specific structure having 2 or 3 rings, and an imidized polymer of the polyamic acid and further having alkyl group having the main chain with 8 or more carbon atoms, perfluoroalkyl group having the main chain with 3 or more carbon atoms, or 1,1-cycloalkylene group having 6 or more carbon atoms which may be substituted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal aligning agent which provides a liquid crystal alignment film having surface anchoring force and pretilt angle development stability by an optical aligning method. The liquid crystal aligning agent comprises a polymer having a photo-crosslinkable structure a structure having at least one group selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing organic group, an alkyl group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms and alicyclic organic group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms and optionally, (C) a thermally crosslinkable structure.

Abstract: A polyimide excelling in heat resistance, chemical resistance, water repellency, dielectric characteristics, electrical characteristics, and optical characteristics and a polyamide acid useful as the raw material therefor are provided. Specifically, a polyamide acid containing a chlorine atom and a fluorine atom and comprising a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): (wherein X and X? independently denote a divalent organic group; Y and Y? independently denote a chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom; p and p? denote independently denote the number of fluorine atom {F in the formula (1)} bonded to the relevant benzene ring, representing an integer of 0-3; q and q? independently denote an integer of 0-3; and p+q total 3, and p?+q? total 3).

Abstract: A photoactive polymer from the class of polyimides, polyamide acids and esters thereof comprises as a side-chain a photocrosslinkable group of the general formula (I) wherein the broken line indicates the point of linkage to the polyimide main chain and wherein: B is a straight-chain or branched alkyl residue which is optionally substituted, wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups may independently be replaced by a group Q; D represents an oxygen atom or —NR1— wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl; and S3 represents a spacer unit. The polymers may be used as orientation layers for liquid crystals and in the construction of unstructured and structured optical elements and multi-layer systems.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display with high speed of response and a wide angle of visibility, and a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal display, which is effective to cost reduction, are provided.

Abstract: An active-matrix liquid crystal display device having a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates, a group of electrodes for applying to the liquid crystal layer an electric field substantially parallel to the substrate plane and a plural number of active elements being formed on one of the pair of substrates and an alignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and at least one of the pair of substrates. The alignment layer is a photo-reactive material layer, and the photo-reactive material layer is a photo-reactive alignment layer which has been subjected to linearly polarized light irradiation to selectively derive a photochemical reaction and a tilt angle of liquid crystal molecules on the alignment layer surface of the substrate is 3° or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyimides, poly(amic acids) and poly(amide esters) thereof, and optical alignment layers derived therefrom, for inducing alignment of liquid crystals and liquid crystal displays. The novel compositions comprise side-chain polymers of the general formula I —L1—D—L2—Cf wherein D comprises 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds, Cf is a monovalent C4 to C20 fluorocarbon radical and L1 and L2 are linking groups. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays and other liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: A photoactive polymer of the general formula I: in which: P is a photoactive group which can photoisomerise and/or photodimerise; B represents an aromatic or alicyclic group, or B further represents a nitrogen atom or —CR2—; A, C, D each independently of the other represents an aromatic or alicyclic group; M represents a repeating monomer unit in a homo- or copolymer; S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 represent a single covalent bond or a spacer unit; n1, n2 are each independently a positive integer up to 2 with the proviso that n1+n2≦2; R1 is a hydrogen atom, or a straight-chain or branched alkyl residue wherein R2 represents a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl. The photoactive polymers may be used as orientation layers for liquid crystals and in the construction of unstructured and structured optical elements and multi-layer systems.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a reversible, electrically controllable light transmission (RECLT) film, article of manufacture composition, process and product produced by the process, comprising a conductive narrow composition distribution polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer in combination with an electrolyte and an RECLT material. The narrow composition distribution polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer has low solubility, high thermal stability and strength, and very high optical clarity. The polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer comprises a nonporous or porous copolymer of vinylidene fluoride preferably with either hexafluoropropylene or tetrafluoroethylene or chlorotrifluoroethylene, or vinyl acetate, or combinations thereof. The RECLT material includes organic or inorganic compounds known in the art. Typical RECLT materials include electrochromic materials, reversible metal electrodeposition materials, liquid crystal materials and dispersed particle materials.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent substrate, an orientation layer and an optically anisotropic layer in order. The optically anisotropic layer comprises discotic liquid crystal molecules. The orientation layer comprises a polymer having a hydrocarbon side chain containing 10 or more carbon atoms or a fluoropolymer. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are aligned at an average inclined angle in the range of 50° to 90°. A liquid crystal display of an STN mode and a method of alignment of discotic liquid crystal molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal aligning agent which provides a liquid crystal alignment film having surface anchoring force and pretilt angle development stability by an optical aligning method.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel crosslinkable, photoactive polymers from the class of polyimides, polyamide acids and esters thereof, and to their use as orientation layers for liquid crystals and in the construction of unstructured and structured optical elements and multi-layer systems. The polymers contain as side-chains photo-crosslinkable groups of the following formula: The broken line indicates the point of linkage to the polymer main chain. In addition, A, B each independently of the other represents unsubstituted or optionally fluoro-, chloro-, cyano-, alkyl-, alkoxy-, fluoroalkyl- or fluoroalkoxy-substituted phenylene, pyridine-2,5-diyl, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, cyclohexane-1,4-diyl, piperidine-1,4-diyl, piperazine-1,4-diyl; C represents unsubstituted or optionally fluoro-, chloro-, cyano-, alkyl-, alkoxy-, fluoroalkyl- or fluoroalkoxy-substituted phenylene, or pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl, 2,5-thiophenylene, 2,5-furanylene, 1,4- or 2,6-naphthylene.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyamic acids and polyimide optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. The novel compositions comprise reactive diamines containing a C3-C20 linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel polyimide optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyimides, poly(amic acids) and poly(amide esters) thereof, and optical alignment layers derived therefrom, for inducing alignment of liquid crystals and liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: An active-matrix liquid crystal display device having a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates, a group of electrodes for applying to the liquid crystal layer an electric field substantially parallel to the substrate plane and a plural number of active elements being formed on one of the pair of substrates, and an alignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and at least one of the pair of substrates. The alignment layer is a photo-reactive material layer, and the photo-reactive material layer is a photo-reactive alignment layer which has been subjected to linearly polarized light irradiation to selectively derive a photochemical reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyimide, polyamic acids and esters thereof, and optical alignment layers derived therefrom, for inducing alignment of liquid crystals and liquid crystal displays. The novel compositions comprise side chain polymers of the general formula I —L1—D—L2—Cf  I wherein D comprises 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds, Cf is a monovalent C4 to C20 fluorocarbon radical and L1 and L2 are linking groups. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays and other liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: An angularity enhancement layer in a liquid crystal display, which display comprises a liquid crystal cell, wherein the angularity enhancement layer includes a negative birefringent polyimide layer comprising a plurality of structural units having pendant fluorene groups, said angularity enhancement layer being disposed on at least one surface of said liquid crystal cell. A liquid crystal display can comprise an angularity enhancement construction of the invention which comprises a polyimide layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a diamino compound represented by the formula [1]: in which G1 is a trivalent organic group of 2-20 carbon atoms, G2 is independently a single bond, —COO—, —OCO—, —NHCO—, —CONH—, —O—, —O—, or —CO—, G3 is a single bond or an alkylene group of 1-20 carbon atoms, X and Y are each independently a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, or an alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, an alkoxy group or a haloalkoxy group, each alkyl or alkoxy group having 1-12 carbon atoms, or a cycloalkyl group of 3-8 carbon atoms or a trans-4-alkylcyclohexyl group of 9-14 carbon atoms, and m is an integer of 0-3; a polyamic acid and polyimide using the said diamino compound, an aligning film using the said polyimide and a liquid crystal display device using the said aligning film.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device having a good bend alignment characteristic is provided by using an alignment film having an alignment power of aligning nematic liquid crystal molecules in a bend alignment state under no voltage application and providing a retardation R (nm) of the liquid crystal device under application of a prescribed voltage relative to a refractive index anisotropy &Dgr;n of the liquid crystal and a cell thickness d (nm) of the liquid crystal device, providing a retardation factor R/&Dgr;n·d of at most 0.3. As a result, the liquid crystal device can be driven at a high speed always in a stable bend alignment state.