Abstract: A cellulose ester film that excels in uniformity of retardation as an optical property, especially uniformity of retardation in the direction of film width, and further contrast; a process for producing such a cellulose ester film; and making use of the film, an optical film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display unit. There is provided a process characterized by subjecting, to melting film formation, a solid cellulose ester having been suspension washed with a poor organic solvent to cellulose ester in the presence of an antioxidant so that the content of free acids in the cellulose ester is 50 ppm or less.

Abstract: A method for producing a cellulose acylate film, comprising heat-treating a cellulose acylate film having a haze, at a temperature T (unit, ° C.) satisfying the condition of the following formula (I): Tc?T<Tm0??(I) wherein Tc means the crystallization temperature (unit, ° C.) of the cellulose acylate film before the heat treatment; Tm0 means the melting point (unit, ° C.) of the cellulose acylate film before the heat treatment.

Abstract: A cellulous acylate film in which X-ray diffractive intensity satisfies the following Formulae (I) to (V) and in which a half-value width of the peak at 2?2 is 2.8° or less as observed in the sectional view in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the film: 0.00?Ici/Ico<0.60;??Formula (I) Iam=I1+{(I3?I1)/(2?3?2?1)}×(2?2?2?1);??Formula (II) Ic=I2?Iam;??Formula (III) Ici=Ic11/Ic12; and??Formula (IV) Ico={(Ic21/Ic22)+(Ic31/Ic32)}/2.

Abstract: A novel composition is disclosed. The composition comprises, at least, a polymer material and inorganic fine particles having adsorbed thereto molecules having at least one adsorptive group to the inorganic fine particle and a group capable of forming a liquid crystal core. A film made of the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new liquid crystal compound comprises two condensed and substituted rings. The ring preferably is a five-membered heterocyclic ring. The heterocyclic ring is preferably condensed with benzene ring or an aromatic six-membered heterocyclic ring. The benzene ring or the aromatic six-membered heterocyclic ring is preferably substituted with a group comprising a cyclic structure and a chain structure. The liquid crystal compound is advantageously used in preparation of a thin phase retarder, such as a wide-ranged ?/4 plate, which gives inverse wavelength distribution. The phase retarder can be easily produced according to a simple process by using the new liquid crystal compound.

Abstract: To provide optical elements such as a phase plate suitably used in a broadband range and a polarizing diffraction element excellent in diffraction efficiency, a polymerizable liquid crystal composition to be used for them, and an optical head device using them.

Abstract: A cellulose derivative film having high optical isotropy over the whole visible region and high durability against high temperature and humidity conditions is provided. The film contains a cellulose derivative having a substituent the polarizability anisotropy ?? (=?x?(?y+?z)/2) of which is 2.5×10?24 cm3 or more, and the film has an in-plane retardation Re and a thickness direction retardation Rth satisfying the respective inequalities: |Rth(589)|?25 nm and |Re(589)|?10 nm. Also provided are an optical compensation film, a polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal device that use the cellulose derivative film and exhibit excellent viewing angle characteristics and durability.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes at least a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer disposed on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizer disposed on the other side of the liquid crystal cell and a retardation film (A) disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer, wherein the retardation film (A) contains a thermoplastic polymer having at least a substituent (a) represented by the following formula (I) and its in-plane retardation value (Re[750]) at a wavelength of 750 nm is larger than its retardation value (Re[550]) at a wavelength of 550 nm. The liquid crystal panel has such an effect that it reduces coloring of characters or images and a color shift even if a screen is viewed from any direction at an angle range of 360°.

Abstract: An adhesive composition for a polarizing plate includes a specific (meth)acrylic polymer (A), an ionic liquid (B) and an isocyanate-based crosslinking agent (C) each in a specific amount. When an adhesive layer obtained from the adhesive composition for a polarizing plate is provided on a surface of a polarizing plate, the adhesive layer is appropriately plasticized and has improved compatibility with an adherend. Thus, the adhesive layer can eliminate the problems of separation or lifting due to the deflection caused by the weight of the polarizing plate, which is significant when a large polarizing plate is laminated to a liquid crystal cell. Furthermore, the adhesive layer can follow fine unevenness on a surface of glass that is a liquid crystal cell substrate, and thus can reliably prevent the separation or lifting of the polarizing plate from the liquid crystal cell even at a high temperature or under a hot and humid environment. The adhesive layer provides excellent adhesion to the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus with a high contrast ratio in an oblique direction, less light leakage, a small color shift in an oblique direction, and extremely small thickness. The liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer arranged on one side of the liquid crystal cell, an optical element (A), an optical element (B), and a second polarizer arranged on the other side of the liquid crystal cell. The optical element (A) exhibits a refractive index ellipsoid of nx>nz>ny, is formed of a specific polycyclic compound, and has an Nz coefficient of 0.05 to 0.45. The optical element (B) exhibits a refractive index ellipsoid of nx>nz>ny and has an Nz coefficient of 0.55 to 0.95.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical film, which can freely regulate the tilt angle and can easily be manufactured without simultaneously regulating polymerization and mixing, and a method for manufacturing the same. The optical film is a film having birefringence. The film has been produced by association through an intermolecular hydrogen bond between at least two compounds having a refractive index anisotropy-providing structure and a proton-receptive group and at least one compound having a refractive index anisotropy-providing structure and a proton-providing group. The method for manufacturing the optical film comprises mixing at least two compounds having a refractive index anisotropy-providing structure and a proton-receptive group with at least one compound having a refractive index anisotropy-providing structure and a proton-providing group and forming a film from the mixture on an aligning film.

Abstract: A polarizing plate comprising at least one protective film; and a polarizing film, wherein the protective film disposed on a liquid crystal cell side has Re(?) and Rth(?) satisfying the conditions of 45 nm?Re(590)?65 nm and 150 nm?Rth(590)?240 nm, and the polarizing plate gives, when disposed in an orthogonal position, a hue a* and a hue b* of the polarizing plate disposed in an orthogonal position satisfying the formulae ?1.0?a*?2.0 and ?1.0?b*?2.0 (wherein Re(?) represents a retardation value in plane at a wavelength of ?nm (unit: nm), and Rth(?) represents a retardation value along a thickness of the film (unit: nm)).

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film that has: an in-plane orientation coefficient fxy and a thickness-direction orientation coefficient fxz falling within a range represented by following relationships; and an in-plane retardation Re (?) falling within a range of 30 nm?Re (590)?200 nm and a thickness-direction retardation Rth (?) falling within a range of 70 nm?Rth (590)?350 nm at 25° C., 60% RH: |fxy|<0.15 |fxz|<0.15 wherein fxy and fxz are calculated from infrared absorption spectroscopy measurement data based on C?O expansion/contraction mode of a ester group, and wherein Re (?) represents an in-plane retardation (Re) value (unit: nm) at a wavelength of ? nm; and Rth (?) represents a thickness-direction retardation (Rth) value (unit: nm) at a wavelength of ? nm.

Abstract: A polarizing film or polarizing plate containing, as a dichroic dye, an azo compound whose free acid form is represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents sulfo, carboxy, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy; R3 represents lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or acetylamino; R4 to R6 each independently represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or acetylamino; and R7 represents hydrogen, amino, or hydroxy. The polarizing film and plate are excellent in polarizing performance and durability and are highly reduced in color leakage in the visible light region.

Abstract: An antistatic optical film includes a support; and an antistatic layer provided at least on one side of the support, wherein the antistatic layer is a layer formed by coating a solution containing a compound semiconductor, a solvent capable of dissolving the compound semiconductor, and a binder soluble in the solvent; and drying the solution.

Abstract: A color filter (CF) is provided. The CF includes a plurality of series of red resist pattern layers, a plurality of series of green resist pattern layers, and a plurality of series of blue resist pattern layers alternately arranged in an array. Each of the plurality of series of red resist pattern layers and each of the plurality of series of green resist pattern layers include a colorant consisting of pigment, respectively, and at least one series of blue resist pattern layers include a colorant consisting of dye or a mixture of dye and pigment. A liquid crystal display (LCD) device utilizing the CF is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing a nanowire grid polarizer, and a nanowire grid polarizer prepared using the same. The method includes: mixing a surfactant and a silica precursor to prepare a mesoporous film composition; coating the mesoporous film composition on a substrate; aging the coated product to form a silica template composite; removing the surfactant inside the silica template composite to prepare a mesoporous material having channels; and filling the channels of the mesoporous material with metal. The method is suitable for the formation of a nanowire having a stable structure, mass production, and large-area production.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, a light source, a light-scattering or light-reflecting polarizer, a light-absorbing polarizer, liquid crystal cells, and a light-absorbing polarizer are disposed in this order. A light source side transparent protecting film of the light-absorbing polarizer on the light source side uses a transparent polymer film whose in-plane retardation value and retardation value of the thickness direction are low.

Abstract: The polarizing sheet has a polarizer, a first protection layer disposed on a side of the polarizer, a first adhesive layer disposed between the polarizer and the first protection layer, a second protection layer disposed on the other side of the polarizer, and a second adhesive layer disposed between the polarizer and the second protection layer, wherein both the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer have an antistatic material.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film satisfying |Rth|/Re<0.5 is produced by transporting a cellulose acylate film satisfying the formulae (V) and (VI), and subjecting the film to heat treatment at heating temperature Tp (unit: ° C.) which satisfies the following formula (VII): 2.70<SA+SB?3.00??Formula (V) 0<SB?3.0??Formula (VI) {?285×(SA+SB)+1000}?Tp<Tm0??Formula (VII) where SA indicates a substitution degree of acetyl group substituted for hydroxyl group of cellulose, SB indicates a substitution degree of acyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms substituted for hydroxyl group of cellulose, and Tm0 (unit: ° C.) indicates the melting point of cellulose acylate before being subjected to the heat treatment.

Abstract: Provided is a retardation film comprising a polymer film, and, disposed thereon, an optically-anisotropic layer, of which thickness is equal to or less than 5 ?m, of which in-plane retardation at a wavelength of 550 nm, Re(550), is from 0 to 10 nm, and of which thickness-direction retardation at the same wavelength, Rth(550), is from 250 to 450 nm; and satisfying the following formula: 1.00?Rth(450)/Rth(550)?1.07 or 1.04?Rth(450)/Rth(550)?1.09.

Abstract: A cellulose-film modifier, having a compound represented by the following Formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic or aromatic acyl group; R2, R3 and R4 each represent a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic or aromatic group; and at least one of R2, R3 and R4 represents an aliphatic group bonding via its secondary carbon; a cellulose composition, an optical cellulose film, a polarizing plate-protecting film, a polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: Anisotropic film could be used for manufacturing devices of various purposes including information liquid crystal displays, illuminating equipment, decorative products, for manufacturing trademarks and service signs, etc. Essence of the invention: optically anisotropic film is obtained of molecularly oriented organic having varying direction of optical axis (axes) throughout its thickness on at least a fraction of the film's thickness, for at least one region of the spectrum and on at least a part of the area of the film. The present invention relates to a method of obtaining of the film.

Abstract: A wide-viewing angle compensation film contains a polarizing plate and an optical compensation film which exhibits negative birefringence and has an in-plane retardation (Re1) of 60-220 nm and an orientation parameter (Nz) in the range of 0±0.05, the optical compensation film exhibiting negative birefringence and the polarizing plate being stacked so that the slow axis of the compensation film is perpendicular or parallel to the absorption axis of the polarizing plate; and a transmission type liquid-crystal display contains a liquid-crystal cell and the wide-viewing angle compensation film disposed on at least one side of the cell.

Abstract: A polarizer includes a first, second and third support layers, a first polarizing element disposed between the first support layer and the second support layer and the second polarizing element disposed between the second support layer and the third support layer. During the process of manufacturing the polarizer, the polarizer is stretched in the direction of length until the width of the polarizer after stretching is not less than half of the width of the polarizer before stretching.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal display in which polarizing plates A and B are provided so as to be held between a vertical orientation mode crystal cell and the corresponding liquid crystal cell, wherein the polarizing layer A comprises the polarizing plate protective films A1 and A2 and the polarizing layer B comprises the polarizing plate protective films B1 and B2, and at least one of the polarizing plate protective films A2 and B2 that are disposed at the liquid crystal cell side is a cellulose ester film Y that simultaneously satisfies the condition that retardation value Ro is 0 to 10 nm and Rt is ?20 to 20 nm shown by the equation below, and at least one of the polarizing plate protective films A2 and B2 is the optical compensation film W which has an optically anisotropic layer.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film is provided and includes a cellulose acylate as a polymer component. The cellulose acylate is a fatty acid ester of cellulose, obtained by substituting a hydroxyl group of cellulose with an acetyl group or an acyl group with 3 or more carbon atoms. The cellulose acylate film is a film stretched substantially by 10% or more in a casting direction or in a transversal direction to the casting direction, the film having a linear thermal expansion rate D(MD) in a casting direction (machine direction) and a linear thermal expansion rate D(TD) in a transversal direction to casting direction (i.e., perpendicular direction to casting direction) in a specified relationship. A polarizing plate utilizing such film and a liquid crystal display equipped with such polarizing plate are provided.

Abstract: A cyclic olefin polymer is provided and includes a repeating unit represented by formula (1A) and a repeating unit represented by the formula (1B): R1 and R3 each independently represents a substituent, L1 and L2 each independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, m and p each independently represents an integer of 0 or 1, and n and q each independently represents an integer of 1 to 4; and A represents COOR2 or OCOR2, and R2 represents a linear alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 10. The cyclic olefin polymer has a copolymerization ratio of x and y satisfying 0.03?y/(x+y)?0.50, a number average molecular weight of from 70,000 to 300,000, and a weight average molecular weight of from 200,000 to 700,000.

Abstract: An optical material comprising an ionic liquid and a polymer gel including a light controlling material, wherein the polymer gel absorbs and/or releases the ionic liquid in accordance with a temperature change. Also provided is an optical element comprising two substrates and the optical material between the two substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulose ester film containing cellulose ester and microparticles having an average primary particle diameter of from 0.1 to 1.0 ?m, wherein a relative standard deviation of a primary particle diameter of the microparticles is from 1 to 20%, and wherein the cellulose ester film has a surface with a peak density of from 1,000 to 8,000 (1/mm2).

Abstract: Azo compounds whose free acid forms are represented by the general formula (1) are extremely useful as the dichroic dye to be used in polarizing plates which are excellent in polarization performance and endurance and reduced in the color cross-talk within the visible light region or in polarizers for liquid crystal projectors made by using them; (1) wherein R1 is sulfo, carboxy, or lower alkoxy and R2 is sulfo, carboxy, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy, with the proviso that a case wherein both R1 and R2 are each sulfo is excepted; R3 to R6 are each independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy; and R7 and R8 are each independently hydrogen, amino, hydroxy, sulfo, or carboxy.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an LCD panel, a polarizer assembly having a polarizer and a compensation film, and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer adheres the polarizer assembly to the LCD panel and has an exfoliation force of 16 N/25 mm to 28 N/25 mm. The adhesive layer is formed of acryl polymer and a crosslinking agent with a respective weight ratio of 75:25 to 90:10, or about 85:15.

Abstract: A cellulosic substance composition contains a cellulosic substance having an aliphatic acyl group containing a branched structure having from 5 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A polymer film that has an in-plane retardation Re(?) and a thickness-direction retardation Rth(?) satisfying formula (i) and (ii), and that further has a surface energy of at least one surface is from 50 mN/m to 80 mN/m: (i) 0?Re(630)?10, and |Rth(630)|?25; and (ii) |Re(400)?Re(700)?10, and |Rth(400)?Rth(700)|?35. in the formulae, Re(?) and Rth(?) are measurement values at the wavelength of ? nm, and an optically-compensatory film, an optical material such as a polarizer and a liquid-crystal display device using the polymer film.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] The present inventions provide a polarizing film and a polarizing sheet of which the resistance for the response in the vertical direction against the direction for the extension. [Means to Solve the Problem] In a multi-layered polarizing sheet comprising a laminated body in which a polarizing layer consisting of a polarizing film is held between two transparent plastic materials and is adhered to them, the polarizing layer is produced by dyeing a film made of poly(vinyl alcohol) and the like having a weight average molecular weight of 150,000-500,000 and by extending it. The non-glaring product and polarizing sheet for a liquid crystal display are produced by using the multi-layered polarizing sheet.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film is provided that includes a cellulose acylate that satisfies the degrees of substitution below, and a hydrolysis-condensation product of a hydrolyzable and polycondensable reactive metal compound. 2.5?A+B?3.0 0?A?2.95 (In the expressions, A denotes the degree of substitution by acetyl, and B denotes the total of the degrees of substitution by acyl groups other than acetyl). There is also provided a process for producing the cellulose acylate film, the process including a step of preparing a solution that includes the cellulose acylate above, an oligomeric hydrolysis-condensation product of a hydrolyzable and polycondensable reactive metal compound, and a solvent, a step of casting the solution on a support, and a step of forming a film by removing the solvent and drying.

Abstract: Such a polymerizable liquid crystal composition is to be provided that is excellent in stability in a solution state, shows good coating property on a supporting substrate, and has a uniform homeotropic alignment property. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition contains an acrylate compound, an epoxy compound and a bisphenol fluorene compound. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition contains a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formulae (1-1) and (1-2) as a component (A), a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (2) as a component (B), a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formulae (3-1) to (3-3) as a component (C) and a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formulae (4-1A), (4-1B), (4-2), (4-3), (4-4) and (4-5) as a component (D), and may optionally contain a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formulae (5-1) and (5-2) as a component (E).

Abstract: A retardation film comprising a cellulose derivative and a plasticizer, wherein a total haze, Htotal, of the retardation film meets the following condition: 0.1%?Htotal?0.4%; and a ratio of a internal haze, Hi, to the total haze, Hi/Htotal, of the retardation film meets the following condition: Hi/Htotal?0.5.

Abstract: A polarizing-plate-protecting film 10 comprising a polyester film 1 such as polyethylene terephthalate film, and an adhesion-facilitating layer 2 formed on one surface of the polyester film 1, made of a hydrophilic cellulosic resin such as acetyl cellulose. On the other surface of the polyester film 1, a variety of functional layers 3 such as a hard coat layer, an anti-glaring layer, and an antireflection layer are layered. The hard coat layer 3 is a layer formed by curing, with an electron beam, an ionizing-radiation-curable resin into which an ultraviolet light absorber has been incorporated. A polyvinyl alcoholic polarizing film 5 is laminated to the adhesion-facilitating layer 2 of the polarizing-plate-protecting film 10 with a water-based adhesive layer 4 to form a polarizing plate 20.

Abstract: An optical compensation film including: a support; an alignment film layer including a polymer having a radical polymerizable group; and an optical anisotropic layer including a liquid crystal compound, laminated in this order, wherein a content of a polymerization initiator capable of reacting with the radical polymerizable group and/or a compound capable of reacting with the radical polymerizable group and having two or more vinyl groups is 0.05% by mass to 30.0% by mass with respect to a total solid content of the polymer having a radical polymerizable group contained in the alignment film layer; and the like.

Abstract: An optical compensation film with optically biaxial properties, wherein the longer the wavelength is, the larger the wavelength dispersion of a retardation Re in an in-plane direction and a retardation Rth in a thickness direction against light in a visible light region is; the film contains at least one inorganic particle; a concentration of the inorganic particle in a film surface layer is from 0.05% to 1.0%; an average concentration of the inorganic particle in the film is from 0.01% to 0.3%; and the concentration of the inorganic particle in the surface layer is larger than the average concentration of the inorganic particle in the film.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cellulose ester film comprising the steps of 1) mixing a cellulose ester exhibiting a water content of not greater than 3.0 weight %, at least one plasticizer selected from the groups A and B in an amount of one to thirty weight % of the cellulose ester, and at least one additive selected from the groups of C and D in an amount of 0.01 to 5 weight % of the cellulose ester to obtain a mixture, group A: ester plasticizers formed from a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric carboxylic acid; group B: ester plasticizers formed from a polyhydric carboxylic acid and a monohydric alcohol; group C: hindered phenol anti-oxidants; group D: hindered amine light stabilizers, 2) heating to melt the mixture at a temperature (Tm) of between 150 and 300° C., and 3) forming a cellulose ester film with a melt casting method employing the melted mixture.

Abstract: A polarizing plate is provided. The polarizing plate includes a polarizing film, a first protective film and a second protective film respectively disposed on both sides of the polarizing film, and a polyimide optical compensation film having thickness direction retardation (Rth) or both, in-plane retardation (R0) and thickness direction retardation (Rth) disposed on the first protective film. The invention also provides a liquid crystal display including the polarizing plate.

Abstract: A novel optical compensatory sheet comprising an optically anisotropic layer comprising at least one liquid crystal compound, at least one cellulose ester, and at least one polymer A comprising at least one repeating unit derived from a monomer having a fluoro-aliphatic group, and at least one repeating unit having a group selected from the group consisting of carboxyl group (—COOH) or a salt thereof, a sulfo group (—SO3H) or a salt thereof and a phosphonoxy group {—OP(?O) (OH)2} or a salt thereof, is disclosed. A novel optical compensatory sheet comprising an optically anisotropic layer comprising at lest one liquid crystal compound at least one polymer C, having a weight average molecular weight of not less than 5000 and less than 20000, represented by a formula (1b), and at least one polymer D, having a weight average molecular weight of not less than 20000, represented by a formula (1b), is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarizing film obtained by stretching a polyvinyl alcohol resin film containing iodine, an iodide a cross-linking agent and/or waterproofing agent and then treating the film with a solution containing 0.0001 to 5.0 wt % of inorganic acid except for boric acid or a salt thereof and/or organic acid and having a pH of preferably 2?pH?5, more preferably 2.2?pH?5. Said polarizing film is excellent in wet heat durability and shows less decrease in polarization characteristics in wet heat test and said polarizing film obtained in a further preferable embodiment is also excellent in dry heat durability.

Abstract: A method for producing a cellulose acylate film is provided and includes: casting a cellulose acylate solution onto a support to form a cellulose acylate film; peeling the cellulose acylate film from the support; and stretching the cellulose acylate film, the cellulose acylate film in the stretching having a temperature of 140 to 250° C.

Abstract: An optical film composed of a thermoplastic resin film obtained by using a melt extruding machine, characterized in that said thermoplastic resin film satisfies a relation of the formula below over the whole surface of the film when an angle made by the extruding direction of the thermoplastic resin film from the melt extruding machine and a slow phase axis at each point is ?, and a retardation amount at each point is Re, is provided. [sin2 2?]×[sin2 (?·Re/550)]?4.0×10?5. According to the present invention, an optical film wherein there is no problem on a residual solvent, optical distortion is small, and there is no problem of color unevenness and color absence of a liquid crystal display obtained by using the optical film as a protective film of a polarizer is provided.

Abstract: A laminate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a base material; and a birefringence layer formed on the base material and satisfying a relationship of nz>nx=ny, wherein the birefringence layer contains an acrylate polymer.

Abstract: A norbornene-based polymer, which is formed by addition polymerization of a composition comprising at least one norbornene derivative represented by formula (1): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and n represents an integer of 0 to 2.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for manufacturing complex, anisotropic materials with desirable properties for information storage, processing, and display. Certain of these methods involve employing a magnetic field during manufacture to induce desired orientations of precursors, subunits, and/or molecular subassemblies. The applied magnetic field steers the precursors, subunits, and/or molecular subassemblies into desirable orientations while the precursors, subunits, and/or molecular subassemblies are assembled or self-assemble into a complex, anisotropic material. One embodiment of the present invention is a class of new, complex, well-ordered, network-like materials that include a ferromagnetic-material-based framework in which organic and/or organometallic compounds are organized.