Azomesogens with 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzene moiety

New mesogenic homologous series having an azo central linkage was synthesized by fixing a rigid 4-methyl phenyl azo group to resorcinol moiety. The terminal and lateral phenolic -OH groups were esterified, one by one, with 4-n-alkoxybenzoyl and acetyl group, respectively. All the twelve homologues synthesized exhibit mesomorphism. The methoxy ton-decyloxy andn-hexadecyloxy derivatives exhibit monotropic nematic mesophase whereas,n-dodecyloxy andn-tetradecyloxy derivatives exhibit enantiotropic nematic mesophase. The mesogenic properties of the present series was compared with those of other structurally related mesogenic series. Paper presented at the 5th National Seminar on Liquid Crystals, University of Jammu, Jammu, December 1997.     

New polymer syntheses: 59. Homo-and copolyesters of 4-(4′-hydrophenoxy)benzoic acid

The homopolyester of 4-(4′-hydroxyphenoxy)benzoic acid (poly(4-HPBA)), was prepared under two different reaction conditions and compared with a sample provided by another research group. Depending on the synthetic route, different melting points, d.s.c. traces and crystal lattices were found. However, after repeated heating and cooling, one thermodynamically stable modification with a melting point of 370–375°C can be obtained. Copolyesters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-(4′-hydroxyphenoxy)benzoic acid were prepared with various molar ratios either in the melt (condensation in bulk) or in solution. These copolyesters were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H n.m.r. spectroscopy, d.s.c. measurements, wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements at various temperatures, and optical microscopy. Whereas copolyesters prepared in solution do not melt below 500°C, those prepared by polycondensation in bulk show melting points down to approximately 260°C and form a nematic melt.     

Electrotunable Non‐reciprocal Laser Emission from a Liquid‐Crystal Photonic Device

A liquid crystal (LC) photonic device with an anisotropic optical heterojunction structure has been fabricated. The device has a phase‐retarding nematic LC (NLC) layer sandwiched between two polymer cholesteric LC films with right‐handed helices of different pitches. Electrotunable non‐reciprocal light transmittance and unidirectional circularly polarized (CP) lasing emission have been successfully demonstrated for this device structure. Two left CP (LCP) lasing emission peaks are observed at the edges of the overlapping region between the two photonic bands in the structure and are shifted upon the application of a voltage. In contrast, a non‐reciprocal right CP (RCP) lasing emission peak emerges at one of the band edges and diminishes upon the application of a voltage. These phenomena are interpreted based on the selective reflection of RCP light and the reorientation of the NLC molecules by the application of a voltage.     

氢键自组装侧链液晶聚合物的制备及性能

为了获得氢键自组装液晶聚合物,制备了两种单体M1和M2,通过调节单体M1和M2的摩尔比,利用氢键自组装方法制备得到了一系列侧链液晶聚合物.利用红外光谱仪(FTIR)、差示扫描量热仪(DSC)和偏光显微镜(POM)测试了氢键自组装侧链液晶聚合物的液晶性能.结果表明,P3和P5液晶聚合物在2 510 cm-1和1 920 cm-1处出现了氢键的吸收峰,而P3、P4和P5液晶聚合物均具有两个熔融吸收峰.P1~P5液晶聚合物具有Grandjean织构,为典型的胆甾相;P6液晶聚合物具有明显的球形织构,为典型的向列相.     

向列相液晶聚合物接枝碳纳米管制备及其性能

为了制备碳纳米管/液晶复合材料,合成了液晶单体1,4-苯二甲酸二-(4-羧基苯)酯,采用原位聚合法将其与1,6-己二酸、1,4-联苯酚、碳纳米管进行共聚,制备了不同配比的碳纳米管/液晶复合材料.利用红外光谱(FT-IR),差式扫描量热仪(DSC)、偏光显微镜(POM)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等研究了碳纳米管在液晶基体中的分散以及复合材料的液晶性.结果表明,少量的碳纳米管可以在液晶中分散良好;液晶复合材料的液晶区间变窄,但没有改变液晶复合材料的液晶类型.     

Main-Chain Nematic Side-Chain Smectic Composite Liquid Crystalline Elastomers

A composite liquid crystalline elastomer is designed, combining main-chain and side-chain mesogenic polymers in the network, and resulting in micro-phase separated regions of nematic and smectic ordering in the macroscopically homogeneous elastomer. A range of different fractions of the components is explored, from fully nematic main-chain system, across to fully smectic side-chain elastomer. Thermal phase transitions of both phases coexisting in the material are detected by calorimetry, and the nematic/smectic structure investigated by X-ray scattering. The tensile stress–strain data reveal the key effect of such a multi-phase composite, where the nematic fraction adds ductility while the smectic fraction increases the modulus and mechanical stiffness. Varying the composition, the authors are able to optimize the mechanical properties of this material type.     

BiNem® manufacturing process for mass production

Abstract— As the need for high‐resolution ultra‐low‐power bistable displays grows, it is important to rapidly implement the mass‐production manufacturing of BiNem® LCDs. The cost‐effective approach for BiNem® manufacturing is based on using STN manufacturing process technologies since BiNem® and STN displays have a similar internal structure. The key differences between BiNem® and STN displays from a manufacturing point of view will be discussed. We show that industrial STN manufacturing equipment can be used to produce BiNem® LCDs at competitive costs. Reflective e‐book display modules with VGA resolution are produced in the pilot‐production series.     

Optical modes for BiNem® LCDs

Abstract— We report on theoretical simulations and measurements of the optics of BiNem® displays, taking into account not only the luminance at normal incidence, but contrast ratio and color shift over the viewing hemisphere as well. Transmissive and reflective BiNem® modes were optimized differently, emphasizing contrast in transmission and paperlike, white appearance in reflection.     

残影不良分析及改善对策研究

通过对大量残影不良样品进行分析,找到了残影不良产生的原因,并基于分析结果设计了改善残影的实验。通过分析发现:残影不良产生的原因是彩膜侧像素与黑矩阵之间的段差过大,在摩擦工程时段差过大区域形成了摩擦弱区,摩擦弱区内的液晶分子配向较弱,导致不良产生。为降低残影不良进行实验,结果显示:在彩膜侧加覆盖层可以有效降低残影不良的发生率,但不适用于量产;通过采用高预倾角的配向膜材料,同时控制配向膜工程到摩擦工程的时间,可使残影不良发生率由28.2%降低至0.2%,为企业的稳定高效生产奠定了基础。