Electro-mechanical converters using ferroelectric nematic material

Abstract

This invention describes an improved electromechanical principle that uses a dielectric material with an extreme relative permittivity to convert electrical energy into mechanical action and vice versa. Non-magnetic devices are based on the relative motion of the dielectric material in the presence of an electric field. Energy-saving devices utilize high-performance dielectrics based on ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals. Linear and circular mechanical actions relating to electromechanical actuators, non-magnetic motors, and related generators are proposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention describes a modified electromechanical principle that uses dielectric materials (dielectrics) with extreme relative permittivity to convert electrical energy into mechanical action and vice versa. Non-magnetic devices are based on the relative motion of the dielectric in the presence of an electric field. These devices utilize high-performance dielectrics based on ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals. Linear and circular mechanical actions relating to electromechanical actuators, non-magnetic motors, and related generators are proposed. Prior Technology

[0002] Modern civilization relies heavily on the use of electricity for various mechanical functions, primarily driven by electromagnetic motors in various machines, including (but not limited to) tools, pumps, vehicles, robots, consumer electronics, and toys. Similarly, all the electricity we generate is produced by generators based on the same electromagnetic principles.

[0003] Modern electromagnetic motors and generators are highly efficient thanks to the availability of strong permanent magnets developed over the past few decades. However, some inherent drawbacks of electromagnetic principles exist, including the complex manufacturing of electrical coils, the high current required at low speeds, the need for large amounts of copper and rare-earth materials (such as neodymium) in the magnets, and heat generation. The complexity of manufacturing magnetic coils and components on a small scale limits the miniaturization of magnetic motors.

[0004] The alternative electromechanical action is called electrostatic attraction and repulsion. Electrostatic motors and generators have been repeatedly proposed. The electrode gap is typically filled with air, vacuum, or an insulator. They are usually operated using very high voltages. At medium voltages, the mechanical output is far inferior to that of magnetic motors, and they have so far yielded almost no commercial benefits.

[0005] There is significant interest in improvements to alternative electromechanical converters. Most electromagnetic motors achieve their optimal power efficiency only at sufficient speed levels. Therefore, machines requiring minimal power at low speeds or when stationary are ideal. The simple structural principles used in actuators or motors are highly attractive, especially when miniaturization and cost savings are involved. Non-magnetic electrical systems are also attractive from the perspective of operating in environments sensitive to electromagnetic interference.

[0006] The dielectric constant of a material is well known for most materials. It can be determined by measuring the capacitance of a capacitor filled with that material compared to an empty capacitor. The dimensionless relative permittivity (εr) is defined as... ε r = ε / ε 0, ε represents the dielectric constant, and ε0 represents the vacuum dielectric constant. The values ​​of ε and εr can depend on the frequency and intensity of the electric field, its spatial orientation, temperature, and history. The static or low-frequency values ​​of εr are used here. Most materials have εr values ​​below 10. Some polar liquids (such as water or nitromethane) have double-digit εr values, reaching up to 102 (at 1 kHz). A notably high dielectric constant material is, for example, barium titanate. It has been reported that when its dielectric constant reaches approximately 1.104, this value is only obtained in the presence of a strong electric field.

[0007] An electric field exerts its influence on dielectric materials, and vice versa. According to electrostatics, the energy density inside a capacitor depends linearly on the relative permittivity (εr) of the dielectric material. When the dielectric material only partially fills the capacitor under a constant voltage, the dielectric material is mechanically pulled within the electric field, maximizing the energy density inside the capacitor. This force on the dielectric material can be expressed as a pressure p on the surface of the dielectric material, which is tangent to the electric field E. p = ε 0 / 2 ∙ (ε r– 1) ∙ E 2 Where ε0 represents the dielectric constant in vacuum (approximately 8.8∙10-12CV-1 m-1) and the electric field strength in the E series (Vm). The dielectric constant of air is neglected here.

[0008] When there are different dielectrics with relative permittivity values ​​εr1 and εr2 inside the electric field, the pressure value at the separation boundary is... p = 1 / 2 ∙ ε 0∙ (│ε r 1– ε r 2│) ∙ E 2

[0009] In recent years, the application of liquid crystal compounds has greatly expanded to various types of display devices. Most of these devices employ enantiomeric nematic liquid crystal phases, including all common LCD televisions, LCD desktop monitors, and mobile LCD devices. Some alternative liquid crystal phases are known, such as ferroelectric nematic phases or blue phases. However, the ferroelectric nematic phase (Nf-LC phase) has only been theoretically hypothesized for decades, and suitable liquid crystal materials possessing both nematic and ferroelectric properties have not yet been found. Until recently, some chemical structures exhibiting ferroelectric nematic behavior have been reported. Examplely, the ferroelectric nematic material of formula C is disclosed by Atsutaka Manabe, Matthias Bremer, and Martin Kraska (2021): Ferroelectric phase at and below room temperature, Liquid Crystals, 48, 1079-1086 (DOI 10.1080 / 02678292.2021.1921867), and is described as a unidirectional ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal phase (N f-LC phase) with near ambient temperature. C

[0010] Further improvements are needed to enhance the temperature stability of ferroelectric nematic phases at ambient temperature and over long periods.

[0011] The uses of fluorinated liquid crystal materials are known to those skilled in the art. Various compounds containing two 2,6-difluorinated 1,4-epimyne rings have been described as liquid crystals or liquid crystal raw materials, such as, for example, in publication WO 2015 / 101405 A1 and various other publications. The compounds presented therein have been well characterized, but no ferroelectric properties have been reported. Summary of the Invention

[0012] In the first embodiment, the present invention relates to an electromechanical conversion machine comprising two or more electrodes for generating an electric field in a spatial volume distributed between at least two electrodes, and a dielectric material at least partially located in the spatial volume of the electric field between at least two of the electrodes, wherein the dielectric material is spatially variable in position relative to the electrodes. The dielectric material comprises one or more liquid crystal (LC) materials that preferably exhibit a ferroelectric nematic (Nf) phase at a temperature of 10 to 30°C, and preferably enantiomerically ferroelectric nematic phases, wherein the ferroelectric nematic LC material comprises at least two compounds having a molecular structure of Formula I. I in A 1 express , or , A 2 express , , , , or , A 3 express , , , , , Or a single key, The R1 group comprises alkyl groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8, more preferably 1 to 6, and most preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms, wherein, in addition, one or more of these CH2 groups may, in each case, be independently converted to -C≡C-, -CF2-O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH-, , , , , -O-, -S-, -(CO)-O-, or -O-(CO)- are substituted in a manner in which O / S atoms are not directly connected to each other, and in addition, one or more H atoms may be halogenated, or represent H, X-series CN, F, CF3, -OCF3, -NCS, Cl, with CN or F being preferred. L1 series H or CH3, Z 1 series CF 2O or -(CO)-O- or single bond, and Z 2 series CF 2O or -(CO)-O- or single bond.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an electromechanical conversion machine, comprising inserting a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal medium, as defined in the context, into a defined spatial volume and attaching two or more electrodes, wherein the electrodes define a second spatial volume distributed between at least two of the electrodes, and placing the dielectric material in contact with or partially within the second spatial volume.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the electromechanical converter converts electrical pulses into mechanical motion. In another embodiment, the electromechanical converter converts mechanical motion into electrical pulses.

[0015] One aspect of this invention relates to a liquid crystal medium that displays a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal phase over a fairly wide temperature range, preferably at ambient temperature. Preferably, such a medium comprises one or more compounds of formula I, more preferably compounds of formulas IA and IB as defined below, and one or more of IC-1 to IC-3.

[0016] Ambient temperature, sometimes referred to as room temperature, means, in a narrow sense, the temperature at 20°C.

[0017] The application of N f-LC phases in technical applications will significantly benefit from their adaptability to ambient temperatures. Technical devices and electronic applications are typically designed to operate within a range above and below ambient temperature (i.e., room temperature), such as 15°C to 25°C, preferably 0°C to 50°C, and even more.

[0018] The present invention includes stable compounds suitable as components of ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal media, and specifically suitable for electromechanical devices of the present invention.

[0019] Surprisingly, liquid crystal media comprising several selected compounds described below have been found to achieve a ferroelectric phase within a very favorable temperature range, and combinations of certain compounds disclosed in this invention are particularly suitable as components of Nf-LC media. These can be used to obtain LC media with unprecedented properties, including (but not limited to) liquid crystal media for electromechanical devices utilizing the high dielectric constant of materials. The media and compounds used according to the invention are sufficiently stable. Specifically, they are characterized by extremely high dielectric constants and, specifically, extremely high dielectric anisotropy (Δε), thus requiring much lower threshold voltages to uniformly align them. These compounds exhibit fairly good solubility for compounds with similar properties and are miscible with similar compounds. Furthermore, the compounds used according to the invention have high clear points. These compounds also have relatively low melting points, or can remain stably below their equivalent melting points upon supercooling. The present invention can form the desired Nf-LC phase over a considerably wide operating range above and below room temperature.

[0020] High dielectric conductivity enables excellent physical properties. A high (relative) permittivity is particularly advantageous for dielectrics because it provides a high relative permittivity in any volume between charged electrodes. In addition, dielectrics have extremely low conductivity, are insulators, and are unique compared to conventional high εr materials (e.g., barium titanate) due to their isofluid properties and responsiveness to low voltages. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0021] Figure 1 shows the dielectric properties of mixture example 1 over a temperature range of -40 to 110 °C. The T / εr graph, measured at 10 Hz and approximately 50 mV, shows the relative permittivity εr value upon cooling. Between approximately 5 and 55 °C, the εr value has a maximum value (plateau shape) and decreases with increasing temperature. The maximum dielectric constant value of εr at approximately 52 °C is 42400.

[0022] Figure 2 shows an electromechanical actuator with two pairs of electrodes (1, 2) placed along the path of a piston inside the tube (6). The piston includes a housing (4) filled with a dielectric material (3) of ferroelectric nematic LC. A rod (5) is connected to the housing (4) of the piston to transmit motion.

[0023] Figure 3 shows an electromechanical actuator with two pairs of electrodes (1, 2) placed along the path of a piston (4) inside a container (6), wherein the piston (4) is made of a low εr dielectric material (dot region). The piston (4) is located inside a container (6) filled with a dielectric material (3) (striped region) of ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal.

[0024] Figures 4a and 4b show two views of a model of an electric rotary motor having a rotor containing dielectric material and a stator containing electrodes.

[0025] Figure 4a shows a cross-sectional view of a motor having a rotor (1) that houses a chamber (2) filled with dielectric material. The dielectric material is filled at a location away from the electrodes through an opening sealed by a cover (3) (e.g., a screw). Side electrodes (4) of similar size to the rotor are placed separately at a short distance from the rotor. The rotor is mounted on a rotating central shaft (5), while the electrodes remain stationary.

[0026] Figure 4b shows an exploded view of a motor comprising the first and second sectors (1, 2) of the rotor and the electrode pairs (3, 4, 5, 6) constituting the stator. The distance between the rotor and stator is significantly magnified for easier observation (exploded view). The rotor is mounted on a shaft (7) to allow it to rotate. The first sector (1) of the rotor contains a high-dielectric-constant ferroelectric nematic material, and the second sector (2) contains any other non-conductive insulating structural material or voids, which typically have a low relative permittivity (εr < 100). Implementation

[0027] The driving force presented in this paper for a machine is the movement of a dielectric material with a high dielectric constant εr into the space between charged electrodes. During this movement, it displaces any material with a lower εr, air, or vacuum. This displacement can be used to trigger the mechanical movement or motion of a fluid medium, which can be liquid crystal itself, air, or hydraulic fluid.

[0028] Due to the excellent high relative permittivity of the proposed ferroelectric nematic dielectric, the mechanical force or pressure that can be obtained far exceeds the value that can be obtained by existing technology.

[0029] The movement of the dielectric is relative to the electrodes. In this sense, not only can the dielectric move into or out of the space between the electrodes, but the electrodes can also move toward or away from (or both) the dielectric. In another preferred embodiment, only one electrode can move relative to the one or more other electrodes and the dielectric.

[0030] Preferably, the converter according to the invention has a mechanical component for guiding force between the electrode and the dielectric material. In another preferred embodiment, the dielectric is encapsulated in a container (outer shell, see container (4), FIG. 2) that transmits any force to and from the dielectric. Preferably, the dielectric material or its outer shell is mechanically connected to a rod for transmitting force or a shaft for transmitting torque and / or force (see rod (5), FIG. 2).

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, the electromechanical conversion machine operates as a linear electromechanical actuator. In this embodiment, the movement of the machine is substantially linear, preferably back and forth. In a preferred embodiment, the machine includes a confined space in which an LC material is moved along a defined path by a driving electric field. This confined path can be a pipe or a well, in which the dielectric is moved. The medium can be a free-flowing bulk liquid or a dielectric material with a confined volume inside a container. The latter can be, exemplarily and preferably, a hollow piston filled with dielectric material. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the dielectric volume is adopted as the shape of electrodes, which are generally flat. Therefore, the dielectric material or its encapsulation container can be cuboid in shape. Preferably, two opposite sides are flat to achieve close proximity to the electrodes. Preferably, the distance between the electrodes and the corresponding thickness of the dielectric are in the range of 0.1 mm to 50 mm, preferably 5 mm or less. The power of this actuator does not directly depend on the electrode distance, but it strongly depends on the strength of the electric field (~E²). The available mechanical force is relative to the area of ​​the boundary region of the dielectric moving in the space between the electrodes perpendicular to the direction of motion. However, increasing this volume by a thicker electrode space will not lead to an increase in force, because increasing the electrode gap also results in a lower electric field at a constant voltage on these electrodes.

[0032] Therefore, the present invention also relates to an electromechanical conversion machine in which the liquid dielectric material is confined in a container.

[0033] Alternatively, the liquid dielectric material can be placed as a space-constrained bulk liquid inside the machine to allow for material flow. Therefore, the present invention also relates to an electromechanical conversion machine in which the dielectric material is located in a flow path within the spatial volume, and the spatially variable position of the dielectric material corresponds to the flow movement of the dielectric material within the flow path. When the material enters the space between charged electrodes, it triggers the flow movement. The material displaces any air or other solid or liquid material from the space. This combined movement can be mechanically utilized in many known ways.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the electromechanical actuator comprises a solid nonferroelectric dielectric material (preferably εr < 100) within a volume filled with an Nf-LC dielectric material. Preferably, the volume containing both materials is located inside a container (preferably a sealed container). These materials are located between two or more electrodes. In this embodiment, the lower εr nonferroelectric dielectric material functions in the opposite mode because it is pushed out of the electric field, while the Nf-LC dielectric material enters the electric field. Figure 3 illustratively illustrates this electromechanical conversion machine suitable for linear motion. Reservoirs of liquid Nf-LC dielectric on both sides of the piston (4) may be connected via bypass pipes or via one or more through-holes in the piston to allow the medium to be balanced between partial volumes. In another preferred embodiment, the volume and flow rate of the liquid medium and the pressure therein are used for a hydraulic system (hydraulic actuator). In this embodiment, the low εr material preferably fits tightly against the container wall to function as a piston over the liquid medium.

[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, the electromechanical conversion machine is used as a circular electromechanical machine, also known as an (electric) motor. In this embodiment, the principle of the linear actuator, which includes the linear motion described above, is modified to rotation. As with conventional magnetic motors, the motor has a rotor and a stator. Preferably, it has at least three pairs of electrodes and at least two separate volumes of dielectric. To achieve the cyclic rotation as in a motor, the electric field must be a time-modulated field consistent with the rotation mode. This time modulation of the magnetic field suitable for the repeated torsion of the rotor is known from driving conventional electromagnetic motors, in which the magnetic field is modulated by a control power supply. In the present invention, when the dielectric enters the volume of the electric field, the voltage on the electrodes is supplied by the power supply. Physical force is generated during this phase. No voltage is supplied when the dielectric is removed. The potential of the electrodes during this phase can be set to zero. If necessary, the charge between the electrode pairs is reused by transferring or guiding (partially) it to another pair of electrodes. The modulation of this electric field can be achieved by a conventional commutator (e.g., using brushes on a sector-shaped torsional electrode) or by applying separately amplified electronic signals (brushless drive). Controllers for electric motors with multiple circuits and passive rotors (such as, for example, stepper motors, brushless motors) are known to those skilled in the art.

[0036] The motor can be driven, for example, by pulsed DC voltage or by multiphase (e.g., three-phase) DC or AC voltage, wherein each phase addresses a pair of electrodes.

[0037] The dielectric and electrodes are advantageously circular in shape to avoid excessive electric fields at corners and edges.

[0038] dynamo When an initial potential is applied to a pair of electrodes, and a dielectric material moves in and out of the volume between the electrodes, the principle is reversible for power generation. The generated electrical signal overrides the initial voltage. Changes in voltage can be converted into separate DC voltages or currents using conventional methods. In setups similar to actuators and motors, in this mode, mechanical motion is converted into voltage changes at the electrodes, which can then be used as a power source. If applicable, the power output is relative to the frequency of motion or rotation.

[0039] The advantages of the electromechanical converter of the present invention can be seen from different perspectives by comparing it with electromagnetic devices or with electrostatic machines.

[0040] Compared to electromagnetic motors or generators, current converters are relatively simple to construct because they do not require the formation of coils. Electrical components are replaced by electrode pairs. This miniaturization is easier than with coil-based devices. Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to an electromechanical conversion system with a size of 1 mm or less, more preferably 100 µm or less. This size is defined as the distance between two electrodes in a spatial volume containing dielectric material. In another preferred embodiment, the electromechanical conversion system is an electronic structured assembly on a semiconductor wafer or a microelectromechanical system, also known as a MEMS, including (but not limited to) MEMS sensors.

[0041] Regarding power efficiency, it should be noted that the different characteristics of the converter result in very low current during startup or during motion holding. In electromagnetic motors, slow motion leads to excessive current and power loss due to heat generation in the coils. Another problem in conventional motors is the loss based on electromagnetic induction in all magnetizable parts (e.g., coil cores, magnets, etc.). This is unknown for electrostatic rotors made of non-ferritic insulators. Furthermore, this invention does not use rare earth materials as magnets (e.g., neodymium magnets), but is based on a large number of available organic chemicals and common metallic conductors.

[0042] In another embodiment of the invention, the arrangement of the electromechanical converter is varied because the dielectric will remain stationary while the electrodes move (linearly or rotationally) relative to the dielectric. Here, the mechanical commutator and the moving electrodes can be integrated into a combined moving part.

[0043] In another embodiment of the invention, the electromechanical converter is modified to combine parallel machines into a single system for greater power conversion. This can be achieved by stacking multiple alternating dielectric material units (pistons or rotors) and electrodes. Alternatively, according to Figures 4a / 4b, parallel units can be introduced by placing more sectors of dielectric and / or electrodes within the device.

[0044] The liquid crystal medium used in the machine, comprising at least two compounds of Formula I, is stable in a ferroelectric nematic phase at ambient temperature. It operates from extremely low voltages, such as 2 V, to extremely high voltages, up to the breakdown voltages (arc / short circuit) required for different force levels. Existing materials (e.g., barium titanate) indeed require much higher initial electric fields to achieve the high relative permittivity εr required for their performance.

[0045] Those familiar with this technology know from early theoretical work the drive schemes used for capacitor-type motors, which are somewhat similar to the drives of some electromagnetic motors. The motor in Figure 4 is driven by a three-phase periodic alternating potential at three electrodes. This can be achieved by a suitably connected commutator or by an external electrical system. Similar drive schemes are known from conventional brushless motors with several stator coils or from stepper motors. The driving direction depends on the initial rotation caused by the first electric field entering between the electrodes through the first portion (sector) of the dielectric, or simply by an initial rotation caused by an external stimulus.

[0046] The dielectric medium comprising a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal medium is further described below.

[0047] The liquid crystal (LC) material in the ferroelectric nematic (Nf) phase included as a dielectric material (further referred to as a liquid crystal medium) preferably comprises at least 20% by weight or more, more preferably 50% by weight or more, more preferably 60% by weight or more, and even more preferably 65% ​​by weight or more of a compound selected from compounds having a molecular structure of Formula I. The material or medium preferably comprises three, four, five, or six or more compounds of Formula I. Preferably, the compounds of Formula I are selected from compounds of Formulas IA and IB, preferably and independently for each formula, in the percentages provided for each formula.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention uses a liquid crystal medium comprising 10% by weight, preferably 15% by weight or more of one or more of formula IA compounds. IA 10% by weight, preferably 15% by weight or more, of one or more IB compounds. IB and 10% by weight, preferably 15% by weight, more preferably 20% by weight or greater of one or more compounds selected from formulas IC-1 to IC-3, IC-1 IC-2 IC-3 in X 1B indicates -CN or -NCS, with -CN being preferred. X 1C indicates -CN, F, CF 3, -OCF 3, -NCS, SF 5, or O-CF=CF 2, with -CN or F being preferred and CN being the best. Z1A and Z1B independently represent -(CO)-O- or -CF2-O- or a single bond, preferably -(CO)-O- or -CF2-O-. Z 2A and Z 2B independently represent a single bond, -(CO)-O- or -CF 2-O-, with the latter being the preferred single bond. One of the two groups, Z1C and Z2C, represents -(CO)-O- or -CF2-O-, and the other represents a single bond. Preferably, Z1C represents -(CO)-O- or -CF2-O-, and Z2C represents a single bond. L1A, L1B, and L1C independently represent H or CH3, with H being preferred. L 2A series F or H, F is preferred. L 2C series F or H, F is preferred. A 1A express , , , or Better , or , optimal or , A 1B express , , , , , , Better , Wherein L 8B represents alkyl, alkoxy, or alkoxyalkyl, each having 1 to 7 C atoms, preferably CH 3, OCH 3, OCH 2CH 3, CH 2OCH 3, CH 2OCH 2CH 3, CH 2CH 2OCH 3, CH 2CH 2OCH 2CH 3 or CH 2CH 2CH 2OCH 3. A 1C Independently represent , , , or , Better , , or , optimal , or , A 2C express or , Better , m, n = 0, 1, or 2, where (m + n) is a series of 1. R1A, R1B, and R1C independently represent alkyl groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8, more preferably 1 to 6, and most preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms, wherein, in addition, one or more of these CH2 groups may, in each case, be independently converted via -C≡C-, -CF2-O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH-, , , , , -O-, -S-, -(CO)-O-, or -O-(CO)- are substituted in a manner in which O / S atoms are not directly connected to each other, and in addition, one or more H atoms may be halogenated, or represent H, Preferably, R1A, R1B and R1C are halogenated or unsubstituted alkyl groups having 1 to 10 C atoms, wherein, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these groups may be replaced by O- or -CH=CH- in a manner that is not directly connected to the O atom.

[0049] The percentage is provided as a percentage of 100% by weight of the entire medium.

[0050] In the various formulas IA, IB, and IC-1 to IC-3 and their respective sub-formulas, the groups R1A, R1B, and R1C preferably represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. These alkyl chains are preferably straight-chain, or, in the case of R1C, preferably branched at the 2- or 3-position by a single methyl or ethyl substituent. R1A, R1B, and R1C particularly preferably represent a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms or a branched alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, specifically an unbranched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

[0051] The preferred alternative groups R1A, R1B and R1C are selected from cyclopentyl, 2-fluoroethyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclobutylmethyl, 2-methylcyclopropyl, 2-methylcyclobutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 2-ethylpentyl and 2-alkoxyethoxy.

[0052] Compounds of formulas IA, IB, and IC1 to IC-3, containing branched or substituted end groups R1A, R1B, and R1C respectively, can sometimes be important due to their superior solubility in liquid crystal substrates. These groups R1A, R1B, and R1C are preferably linear.

[0053] Groups R1A, R1B, and R1C are particularly preferably selected from the following portions: CH 3 C 2H 5 nC 3H 7 nC 4H 9 nC 5H 11 C 2H 5CH(CH 3)CH 2 nC 6H 13 nC 7H 15 nC 3H 7CH(C 2H 5)CH 2 nC 8H 17 cC 3H 5 cC 3H 5CH 2 cC 4H 7 cC 5H 7 cC 5H 9 cC 5H 9CH 2 CH 2=CH CH 3CH=CH CH₂=CH(CH₂)₂ CH 3O C 2H 5O nC 3H 7O nC 4H 9O nC 5H 11O CH 3OCH 2 C 2H 5OCH 2 CH 3OCH 2CH 2 C 2H 5OCH 2CH 2 cC 3H 5CH 2O cC 5H 9CH 2O The following abbreviations are used for end bases: cC 3H 5 cC 3H 5CH 2 cC 4H 7 cC 5H 7 cC 5H 9 and cC 5H 9CH 2 .

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the medium according to the present invention preferably comprises one, two, three or more compounds of formula IA-1: IA-1 Preferred selections are from formulas IA-1 to IA-3, with the group of preferred formulas IA-1 being: IA-1-1 IA-1-2 IA-1-3 The parameters have their respective meanings given above and are preferred. Z 1A represents -CF 2-O-.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the medium according to the present invention preferably comprises one, two, three or more of the formulas IB-1 and / or IB-2, with the preferred formula being IB-1 compound: IB-1 IB-2 R 1B indicates an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 7, more preferably 1 to 6, and most preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms, wherein, in addition, one or more of these CH 2 groups may, in each case, be independently converted to -C≡C-, -CF 2-O-, -OCF 2-, -CH=CH-, , , , , -O-, -S-, -CO-O-, or -O-CO- are substitutions where the O / S atoms are not directly connected to each other, and in addition, one or more H atoms may be halogenated, or represent H. Preferably, R1B is a halogenated or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms, wherein, in addition, one or more of these groups may be independently substituted with -C≡C- or -CH=CH- in each case. A 1B express , , or Better or , and Z1B and Z2B independently represent -(CO)-O- or -CF2-O-. The preferred selection is from the following formulas, group IB-1-1 to IB-2-3: IB-1-1 IB-1-2 IB-1-3 IB-2-1 IB-2-2 IB-2-3 The parameters have the individual meanings given above. Moreover, specifically, in equations IB-1-1 to IB-1-3, Z 1B is a better representation -CF 2-O- Specifically, in equations IB-2-1 and IB-2-2, Z 2B is a better representation of -CF 2-O-; Moreover, specifically in equation IB-2-3, Z 2B is better represented as -C(O)O-.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the medium according to the invention preferably comprises one, two, three or more selected compounds of formulas IC-1-1 to IC-3-5: IC-1-1 IC-1-2 IC-1-3 IC-2-1 IC-3-1 IC-3-2 IC-3-3 IC-3-4 IC-3-5 Where A1C and A2C are as defined above, Preferred selections are from the group consisting of IC-1-1-1 to IC-3-5-2, and more preferably from the group consisting of IC-1-1-1, IC-1-1-2, IC-1-1-3, IC-1-1-4, IC-3-1-1 and IC-3-2-1. IC-1-1-1 IC-1-1-2 IC-1-1-3 IC-1-1-4 IC-1-1-5 IC-1-1-6 IC-1-2-1 IC-1-2-2 IC-1-1-7 IC-1-1-8 IC-3-1-1 IC-3-2-1 IC-3-3-1 IC-3-3-2 IC-3-4-1 IC-3-4-2 IC-3-5-1 IC-3-5-2 The parameters have their respective meanings given above and are preferred. L 1C represents H, Z 1C represents -CF 2-O- or -(CO)-O-, and X 1C indicates -CN or F, with -CN being preferred.

[0057] The following compounds are particularly suitable for use in media: IC-1-1 to IC-1-4 compounds. IC-1-1-1-1 IC-1-1-2-1 IC-1-1-3-1 IC-1-1-4-1 The parameters are defined as above, with the preferred L1C system being H.

[0058] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the medium comprises up to 100% of one or more compounds, preferably three, four, five, six or more compounds, which are selected from the group 1, the group 1A, the group 1B, and the group 1 / -2 / -3 of compounds. In this embodiment, the medium is preferably mainly composed of these compounds, more preferably substantially composed of these compounds, and most preferably almost entirely composed of these compounds.

[0059] For the purposes of this invention, unless otherwise indicated in specific circumstances, the following definitions are suitable for use in conjunction with the description of the composition's ingredients: - "Contains": The concentration of the component in the composition is preferably 5% or more, particularly preferably 10% or more, and very particularly preferably 20% or more. - "Mainly composed of": The concentration of the component described in the composition is preferably 50% or more, particularly preferably 55% or more, and very particularly preferably 60% or more. - "Basically composed of": The concentration of the component in the composition is preferably 80% or greater, particularly preferably 90% or greater, and very particularly preferably 95% or greater. - "consisting almost entirely of": The concentration of the component in the composition is preferably 98% or greater, particularly preferably 99% or greater and very particularly preferably 100.0%. Preferably, the medium according to this application meets one or more of the following conditions. These preferably include: - 20% or more of compound IA, preferably 25%, preferably 27% or more, and most preferably 32% or more of compound IA. - 17% or more of IB compound, preferably 20% or more, preferably 22% or more, and most preferably 25% or more of IB compound. - 20% or more, preferably 25% or more, of selected IC-1, IC-2 and IC-3 compounds, more preferably 28%, more preferably 32% or more, and most preferably 34% or more by weight. - As needed, 2% or more of an ID (ID-1, ID-2, ID-3, ID-4) compound, preferably 5%, preferably 10% or more, and most preferably 15% or more of an ID compound. - One, two, three or more, preferably three or more, of formula IA-1-1, preferably DUUQU-nF compound, most preferably selected from the group of compounds DUUQU-2-F, DUUQU-3-F, DUUQU-4-F, DUUQU-5-F, and DUUQU-6-F. - One, two, three or more, preferably three or more, of formula IB-1, preferably GUUQU-nN and / or DUUQU-nN compounds, most preferably selected from the group of compounds GUUQU-2-N, GUUQU-3-N, GUUQU-4-N, GUUQU-5-N, GUUQU-6-N, GUUQU-7-N, DUUQU-2-N, DUUQU-3-N, DUUQU-4-N, DUUQU-5-N and DUUQU-6-N. - One, two, three or more compounds of the formula IA-1-3, preferably of the formula GUUQU-nF, more preferably selected from the group consisting of compounds GUUQU-3-F, GUUQU-4-F and GUUQU-5-F. - One, two, three or more compounds of the formula IB-1-3, preferably of the formula DUUQU-nN, more preferably selected from the group consisting of compounds DUUQU-3-N, DUUQU-4-N and DUUQU-5-N. - One, two, three or more IC-1-1 compounds, preferably MUZU-nN or MUQU-nN compounds, more preferably selected from the group consisting of compounds MUZU-2-N, MUZU-3-N, MUZU-4-N and MUZU-5-N. - One, two, three or more IC-3 compounds, preferably selected from the formula MUU-nN or UMU-nN, more preferably selected from the group consisting of compounds MUU-3-N, MUU-4-N, MUU-5-F, UMU-3-N, UMU-4-N and UMU-5-N. - One, two, three or more IC-1-1 compounds, preferably selected from the formula GUZU-nN or GUQU-nN, more preferably selected from the group consisting of compounds GUZU-3-N, GUZU-4-N, GUZU-5-F, GUQU-3-N, GUQU-4-N and GUQU-5-N. and / or - One, two, three or more compounds of the formulas IC-1-1-3 and IC-1-1-4, preferably of the group UUZU-nN and / or UUQU-nN, most preferably selected from the group UUZU-2-N, UUZU-3-N, UUZU-4-N, UUZU-5-N, UUQU-2-N, UUQU-3-N and UUQU-4-N. The number n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.

[0060] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compounds of equations IA, IB, and IC-1 / -2 / -3 are compounds of the first group, group 1. In this embodiment, the concentration of the compounds of this group 1 is preferably in the range of 70% or greater, preferably 80% or greater, more preferably 90% or greater up to 100% or less.

[0061] In addition to compounds of formulas IA, IB, and IC-1 / -2 / -3, the medium according to the present invention, preferably mandatory, includes one, two, three, or more compounds selected from formulas ID-1 to ID-4, as required. ID-1 ID-2 ID-3 ID-4 XD indicates CN, F, CF 3, -OCF 3, NCS, SF 5, or O-CF=CF 2, with -CN, F, -CF 3, -OCF 3, -Cl, or -NCS being preferred, and F or CN being the best. L1D, L2D, L3D, L4D, L5D, L6D, and L7D independently represent F, H, alkyl, alkoxy, or alkoxyalkyl, each having 1 to 7 C atoms, preferably H, F, CH3, OCH3, OCH2CH3, CH2OCH3, CH2OCH2CH3, CH2CH2OCH3, CH2CH2OCH2CH3, or CH2CH2CH2OCH3. Z1D and Z2D independently represent -(CO)-O-, -CF2-O-, single bonds, and preferably both -(CO)-O-. R 1D represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 7, more preferably 1 to 6, and most preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms, wherein, in addition, one or more of these CH 2 groups may, in each case, be independently converted to -C≡C-, -CF 2-O-, -OCF 2-, -CH=CH-, , , , , -O-, -S-, -(CO)-O-, or -O-(CO)- are substituted in a manner in which O / S atoms are not directly connected to each other, and in addition, one or more H atoms may be halogenated, or represent H, Preferred R1D system comprises halogenated or unsubstituted alkyl groups having 1 to 12 C atoms, wherein, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these groups may be independently substituted with -C≡C- or -CH=CH- in each case. R 2D represents alkyl, alkoxy, or alkoxyalkyl, each having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably CH 3, OCH 3, OCH 2CH 3, CH 2OCH 3, CH 2OCH 2CH 3, CH 2CH 2OCH 3, CH 2CH 2OCH 2CH 3 or CH 2CH 2CH 2OCH 3. A 1D Indicates a single key, , , , , or Better single key or , in L 8D represents alkyl, alkoxy, or alkoxyalkyl, each having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably CH 3, OCH 3, OCH 2CH 3, CH 2OCH 3, CH 2OCH 2CH 3, CH 2CH 2OCH 3, CH 2CH 2OCH 2CH 3 or CH 2CH 2CH 2OCH 3. It preferably includes one or more of ID-1-1 to ID-3-1: ID-1-1 ID-1-2 ID-1-3 ID-3-1 The variable groups R1D and L8D are defined as above.

[0062] The corresponding starting materials can generally be easily prepared or purchased by those skilled in this technique using synthetic methods known from the references. The reaction methods and reagents used are, in principle, known from the references.

[0063] In this invention, the following formula 2,5-disubstituted dioxane ring... A preferred representation is the 2,5-trans configuration of the dioxane ring, i.e., the substituents R are preferably in equatorial positions in the preferred chair conformation. The following is a 2,5-disubstituted tetrahydropiperanone. Similarly, it is also preferred to represent the 2,5-trans configuration of the tetrahydropiperanone ring, i.e., the substituents are preferably in the supraorbital position of the preferred chair conformation.

[0064] The liquid crystal medium used according to the present invention has a wide temperature range of ferroelectric nematic phase. It displays a ferroelectric nematic phase range at and above 20°C (ambient temperature). It covers the most technically interesting range from at least 10°C to 50°C and significantly exceeds lower and / or higher temperatures. Therefore, it is very suitable for a wide range of domestic or industrial applications, and even outdoor applications have some limitations. The medium displays a ferroelectric nematic phase at least 20 gErvin or more, preferably 30 K or more, and most preferably 40 K or more. Preferably, the ferroelectric phase is obtained independently of the previous temperature and phase (enantiomeric ferroelectric nematic phase). The achievable combinations of temperature range, clear point, low-temperature stability (LTS), (relative) dielectric constant, dielectric anisotropy, and optical anisotropy of ferroelectric nematic phases containing compounds of formulas IA, IB, and IC-1 / -2 / -3 are far superior to those of such prior art materials. Previously, only a limited number of single-compound materials were available, and these materials had a limited range of ferroelectric nematic phases.

[0065] The liquid crystal medium used in this invention preferably displays a temperature range of 20°C or wider for the ferroelectric nematic phase, preferably extending to 40°C or greater, and more preferably 60°C or greater.

[0066] Preferably, the liquid crystal medium used in this invention displays ferroelectric nematic phases at temperatures ranging from 10°C to 30°C, more preferably from 10°C to 40°C, even more preferably from 10°C to 50°C, even more preferably from 0°C to 50°C, and most preferably from -10°C to 50°C.

[0067] In another preferred embodiment, the liquid crystal medium used according to the present invention preferably displays a ferroelectric nematic phase at a temperature of 10°C to 40°C, more preferably from 10°C to 50°C, even more preferably from 10°C to 60°C, and most preferably from 10°C to 70°C.

[0068] The liquid crystal medium used according to the present invention exhibits excellent dielectric properties. Due to the excellent properties of such liquid crystal media, such as their extremely high dielectric constant ε and their excellent insulating properties, such media can be used in electromechanical devices, including generators (i.e., energy harvesting devices) and actuators.

[0069] Preferably, the medium according to the invention has an εr value of 15,000 or greater, even more preferably 30,000 or greater, and more preferably 35,000 or greater (at 20°C and 10 Hz).

[0070] These advantageous dielectric properties are primarily achieved when the medium is in the ferroelectric nematic phase at temperatures. These dielectric properties can sometimes exhibit hysteretic behavior, especially at varying temperatures, and in this case, the value obtained at a given temperature can depend on the material's history, i.e., whether the material is being heated or cooled.

[0071] The liquid crystal medium according to the present invention preferably comprises 2 to 40, particularly 4 to 20 compounds as other components besides one or more of the compounds according to the present invention. Specifically, such media may comprise 1 to 25 components besides one or more of the compounds according to the present invention. These other components are preferably selected from ferroelectric nematic or nematic (unidirectional or isotropic) materials.

[0072] Existing ferroelectric materials and similar compounds with high dielectric constants used in combination with current materials are selected from, for example, the following structures: The medium used in this invention preferably comprises 1% to 100%, more preferably 10% to 100%, and particularly preferably 50% to 100% of the preferred compound of formula IA and / or IB and / or IC-1 / IC-2 / IC-3 used in this invention.

[0073] The expression "alkyl" includes unbranched and branched alkyl groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, specifically and preferably without branched chain groups methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, and n-heptyl, and additionally, or groups substituted with one methyl, ethyl, or propyl group, such as n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, and n-heptyl. Groups having 1 to 5 carbon atoms are generally preferred.

[0074] The expression "alkenyl" includes unbranched and branched alkenyl groups having up to 12 carbon atoms, specifically unbranched groups. Particularly preferred alkenyl groups are C2-C7-1E-alkenyl, C4-C7-3E-alkenyl, C5-C7-4-alkenyl, C6-C7-5-alkenyl, and C7-6-alkenyl, specifically C2-C7-1E-alkenyl, C4-C7-3E-alkenyl, and C5-C7-4-alkenyl. Examples of preferred alkenyl groups include vinyl, 1E-propenyl, 1E-butenyl, 1E-pentenyl, 1E-hexenyl, 1E-heptenyl, 3-butenyl, 3E-pentenyl, 3E-hexenyl, 3E-heptenyl, 4-pentenyl, 4Z-hexenyl, 4E-hexenyl, 4Z-heptenyl, 5-hexenyl, 6-heptenyl, and the like. Groups having 2 to 5 carbon atoms are generally preferred.

[0075] The expression "halogenated alkyl" preferably includes mono- or polyfluorinated and / or chlorinated groups. This includes perhalogenated groups. Fluorinated alkyl groups are particularly preferred, specifically CF3, CH2CF3, CH2CHF2, CHF2, CH2F, CHFCF3, and CF2CHFCF3. The expression "halogenated alkenyl" and related expressions are explained accordingly.

[0076] The following examples illustrate the invention but are not intended to limit it. Those skilled in the art will be able to extract working details not given in detail in the general description from these examples, summarize them based on general expert knowledge, and apply them to specific problems.

[0077] In the preceding and following text, percentage data refers to weight percentages. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all temperature values ​​claimed in this application, such as, for example, melting point T(C,N), laminar (Sm) to nematic (N) phase transition T(S,N), and clear point T(N,I), i.e., T(Nf,I), are indicated in degrees Celsius (°C), and all temperature differences are correspondingly indicated in different degrees (° or degrees). Furthermore, C = crystalline state, N = nematic phase, Nf = ferroelectric nematic phase, Sm = laminar phase (more particularly SmA, SmB, etc.), Tg = glass transition temperature, and I = isotropic phase. Data between these symbols indicates transition temperatures. Δn indicates optical anisotropy (589 nm, 20°C), and Δε indicates dielectric anisotropy (1 kHz, 20°C).

[0078] The physical, physicochemical, and electro-optical parameters are determined by generally known methods, especially as described in the manual "Merck Liquid Crystals - Licristal® - Physical Properties of Liquid Crystals - Description of the Measurement Methods", 1998, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt.

[0079] Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to identify the appearance of the ferroelectric nematic phase in the material by observing the structure under a polarizing microscope equipped with a hot stage for separately controlling cooling and heating, and to confirm this by measuring the temperature dependence of dielectric properties. The transition temperature was mainly determined by detecting optical behavior under a polarizing microscope.

[0080] The dielectric anisotropy Δε of individual substances was measured at 20 °C and 1 kHz. Therefore, 5 to 10% by weight of the substance under study dissolved in the dielectric positive mixture ZLI-4792 (Merck KGaA) was measured, and the measured values ​​were extrapolated to a 100% concentration. The optical anisotropy Δn was measured by linear extrapolation at 20 °C and a wavelength of 589.3 nm.

[0081] The relative permittivity (εr) of the material, particularly in the ferroelectric nematic phase, was directly determined by measuring the capacitance of at least one test cell containing the compound and having a cell thickness of 250 µm, arranged perpendicularly and homogeneously. Temperature was controlled by a Novocontrol Novocool system set to temperature gradients of + / -1 K / min; + / -2 K / min; + / -5 K / min; + / -10 K / min, applicable to the sample cell. Capacitance was measured using a Novocontrol alpha-N analyzer at a frequency of 1 kHz or 10 Hz with a typical voltage drop from <50 mV to 0.1 mV to ensure it was below the critical limit of the compound under study. Measurements were performed immediately after heating and immediately after cooling the sample(s).

[0082] In this application, unless otherwise expressly indicated, the plural form of a term refers to both the singular and plural forms, and vice versa. Other combinations of embodiments and variations of the invention according to this specification also arise from combinations of the appended claims or plural claims.

[0083] Example The present invention is described in detail by the following non-limiting examples and figures.

[0084] Without further elaboration, it is believed that those skilled in the art can utilize the invention to its fullest extent using the foregoing description. Therefore, the foregoing preferred embodiments should be interpreted as illustrative only and in no way limit the remainder of the invention.

[0085] From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can easily determine the basic characteristics of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and can make various changes and modifications to adapt the present invention to various uses and conditions.

[0086] This applies both to a medium containing its components, which can be a group of compounds and individual compounds, and to a group of compounds having its individual components (i.e., the compounds). The term "concentration" refers only to the concentration of an individual compound relative to the medium as a whole, and includes the meaning that the concentration of the one or more compounds is preferably 1% or greater, particularly preferably 2% or greater, and very particularly preferably 4% or greater.

[0087] Regarding the present invention, This indicates the trans-1,4-extrinyl cyclohexyl group. This indicates a mixture of cis- and trans-1,4-extrinyl cyclohexyl groups and... It represents 1,4-ephedrine.

[0088] In this invention, the term "dielectrically positive compound" refers to a compound having a Δε > 1.5, "dielectrically neutral compound" refers to a compound having a Δε ≤ -1.5, and "dielectrically negative compound" refers to a compound having a Δε < -1.5. The dielectric anisotropy of these compounds is determined here by dissolving 10% of these compounds in a liquid crystal matrix and, in each case, measuring the capacitance of the resulting mixture in at least one test cell having a cell thickness of 20 µm and a vertical and homogeneous surface arrangement at 1 kHz. The measurement voltage is typically 0.5 V to 1.0 V, but always below the capacitance threshold of the individual liquid crystal mixtures (materials) under study.

[0089] The liquid crystal medium according to the invention may also contain other additives as needed, such as, for example, a typical amount of stabilizer. Based on the total amount of the mixture, the amount of such additives used is preferably 0% or more to 10% or less, particularly preferably 0.1% or more to 6% or less. The concentration of individual compounds used is preferably 0.1% or more to 3% or less. When specifying the concentration and concentration range of liquid crystal compounds in such liquid crystal media, the concentration of such and similar additives is generally not considered.

[0090] For the purposes of this invention, unless otherwise expressly stated, all concentrations are indicated as weight percentages and, unless otherwise expressly stated, relate to the composition of the respective mixture as a whole or again as a mixture. Within this text, the term "mixture" describes the liquid crystal medium.

[0091] Unless otherwise expressly instructed, use the following symbols: T(N,I) is also known as T(N f,I) (or clp.) Clearer [℃], Dielectric properties at 1 kHz and preferably at 20 °C, or at other specified temperatures: Δε dielectric anisotropy and screening data, especially for single compounds.

[0092] Specifically, this refers to data from individual compounds in the nematic host mixture ZLI-4792: The unusual refractive index of ne measured at 20°C and 589 nm. The ordinary refractive index measured at 20℃ and 589 nm and Optical anisotropy of Δn measured at 20℃ and 589 nm.

[0093] The following examples illustrate the invention but are not limiting of it. However, these examples demonstrate to those skilled in the art the concept of preferred mixtures of compounds to be used, their individual concentrations, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, these examples illustrate the usable properties and combinations of properties.

[0094] Structural elements are defined by abbreviations in the initials of chemical compounds: [surface] [A] [:cyclic elements] [] C D DI A artificial intelligence P G GI U UI Y M P(F, Cl)Y P(Cl,F)Y np L LI F FI [surface] [B] [Bridging Unit] [] E -CH 2-CH 2- V -CH=CH- T -C≡C- W -CF 2-CF 2- B -CF=CF- Z -CO-O- ZI -O-CO- X -CF=CH- XI -CH=CF- O -CH 2-O- OI -O-CH 2- Q -CF 2-O- QI -O-CF 2- [surface] [C] [:terminal base] [] Individual or combination on the left Individual or combination on the right -n- C nH 2n+1- -n -C nH 2n+1 -nO- C nH 2n+1-O- -On -O- C nH 2n+1 -V- CH 2=CH- -V -CH=CH 2 -nV- C nH 2n+1-CH=CH- -nV -C nH 2n-CH=CH 2 -Vn- CH 2=CH- C nH 2n- -Vn -CH=CH-C nH 2n+1 -nVm- C nH 2n+1-CH=CH-C mH 2m- -nVm - C nH 2n-CH=CH-C mH 2m+1 -N- N≡C- -N -C≡N -S- S=C=N- -S -N=C=S -F- F- -F -F -CL- Cl- -CL -Cl -M- CFH 2- -M -CFH₂ -D- CF₂H- -D -CF₂H -T- CF₃- -T -CF₃ -MO- CFH₂O - -OM -OCFH₂ -DO- CF₂HO - -OD -OCF₂H -TO- CF₃O - -OT -OCF₃ -A- H-C≡C- -A -C≡C-H -nA- CₙH₂ₙ₊₁-C≡C- -An -C≡C-CₙH₂ₙ₊₁ -NA- N≡C-C≡C- -AN -C≡C-C≡N Left side only combination Right side only combination -…n…- -CₙH₂ₙ- -…n… -CₙH₂ₙ- -…M…- -CFH- -…M… -CFH- -…D…- -CF 2- -…D… -CF 2- -…V…- -CH=CH- -…V… -CH=CH- -…Z…- -CO-O- -…Z… -CO-O- -…ZI…- -O-CO- -…ZI… -O-CO- -…K…- -CO- -…K… -CO- -…W…- -CF=CF- -…W… -CF=CF- Where n and m are integers, and the three dots "..." are placeholders for other abbreviations from this table.

[0095] In addition to compounds of formula IA, IB and IC-1 / -2 / -3, the mixtures according to the present invention preferably contain one or more of the compounds mentioned below.

[0096] Use the following abbreviations: (n, m, k, and l are independent integers, preferably 1 to 9, preferably 1 to 7. k and l may also be 0 and preferably 0 to 4, more preferably 0 or 2, and best of all 2. n is preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. In the combination "-nO-", it is preferably 1, 2, 3, or 4, preferably 2 or 4. m is preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. In the combination "-Om", it is preferably 1, 2, 3, or 4, more preferably 2 or 4. The combination "-lVm" is preferably "2V1").

[0097] In this invention and in the following examples, the structure of the liquid crystal compound is indicated by acronyms and converted into a chemical formula according to Tables A to C above. All groups CnH2n+1, CmH2m+1, and ClH2l+1 or CnH2n, CmH2m, and ClH2l are straight-chain alkyl or alkylene groups, each having n, m, and l C atoms respectively. Preferably, n, m, and l are independently 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. Table A shows the codes of the ring elements in the core of the compound, Table B lists the bridging units, and Table C lists the meanings of the symbols for the left and right end groups of the molecule. These acronyms consist of the code of the ring element with an optional linker, followed by the first hyphen and the code of the left end group, and the second hyphen and the code of the right end group. Table D shows the graphical structure of the compound along with its various acronyms. []

[0098] [] [surface] [D] Examples of compounds of formula IA with better illustrative properties DUUQU-nF AUUQU-nF GUUQU-nF Examples of IB compounds with better illustrative properties GUUQU-nN DUUQU-nN AUUQU-nN GUQGU-nN Examples of IC-1 compounds with better illustrative properties GUQU-nN GUZU-nN UUQU-nN UUZU-nN UUZU-nF UUQU-nF Examples of IC-3 compounds with better illustrative properties MUU-nN UMU-nN Other compounds to be used as needed APUQU-nF DPUQU-nF DGUQU-nF PUQU-nF PZU-VN PZU-Vn-N PZU-nV-N PZG-nN CPZG-nN [in] [n] [Tie] [0] [、] [1] [、] [2] [、] [3] [、] [4] [、] [5] [、] [6] [、] [7] [Etc., better] [0] [、] [1] [、] [2] [、] [3] [、] [4] [or] [5] [。] []

[0099] [Example of a mixture] [] Exemplary mixtures are disclosed below. The preparation of these compounds is similar to that of those having the same or similar structures in earlier disclosures. The mixtures are prepared in a conventional manner by combining the desired materials and homogenizing them at a suitable high temperature.

[0100] [] [Example of a mixture] [1] Prepare the following mixture (M-1). Mixture M-1 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 97 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 52 ℃ 1 DUUQU-3-F 18.0 2 DUUQU-4-F 18.0 3 DUUQU-5-F 7.0 4 GUUQU-3-​​N 10.0 ε(20℃, 1 kHz) c = 3960 5 GUUQU-4-N 13.0 ε(20℃, 10 Hz) c = 42200 6 GUUQU-5-N 4.0 7 GUZU-4-N 15.0 8 GUQU-4-N 15.0 Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling

[0101] [] [Example of a mixture] [2] Prepare the following mixture (M-2). Mixture M-2 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 97 ℃ serial number abbreviation / wt% T(FerroN)c = 49 °C 1 DUUQU-3-F 16.0 2 DUUQU-4-F 16.0 3 DUUQU-5-F 7.0 4 GUUQU-3-N 10.0 ε(20°C, 1 kHz) c = 3220 5 GUUQU-4-N 13.0 ε(20°C, 10 Hz) c = 42200 6 GUUQU-5-N 4.0 7 GUZU-4-N 13.0 8 GUZU-5-N 8.0 GUQU-4-N 13.0 Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling

[0102] [] [Example of a mixture] [3] Prepare the following mixture (M-3). Mixture M-3 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 96 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 41 ℃ 1 FIGURE-3-F 15.0 2 FIGURE-4-F 14.0 no = tbd 3 FIGURE-5-F 6.0 and = tbd 4 FIGURE-3-N 9.0 ε(20°C,1 kHz) c = 4060 5 FIGURE-4-N 12.0 ε(20°C,10 Hz) c = 42600 6 FIGURE-5-N 4.0 7 POWER-4-N 15.0 8 GUZU-5-N 10.0 GUQU-4-N 15.0 Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling These are the highest values ​​of the relative permittivity εr of any physical substance known to the author to date.

[0103] [] [Example of a mixture] [4] Prepare the following mixture (M-4). Mixture M-4 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 91 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 33 ℃ 1 FIGURE-3-F 14.0 2 FIGURE-4-F 13.0 3 FIGURE-5-F 5.0 4 FIGURE-3-N 8.0 ε(20°C,1 kHz) c = 5270 5 FIGURE-4-N 11.0 ε(20°C,10 Hz) c = 40,500 6 FIGURE-5-N 3.0 7 POWER-4-N 17.0 8 GUZU-5-N 12.0 GUQU-4-N 17.0 Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling

[0104] [] [Example of a mixture] [5] Prepare the following mixture (M-5). Mixture M-5 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 88 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 25 ℃ 1 FIGURE-3-F 13.0 2 FIGURE-4-F 11.0 3 FIGURE-5-F 4.0 4 FIGURE-3-N 7.0 ε(20°C,1 kHz) c = 5010 5 FIGURE-4-N 10.0 ε(20°C,10 Hz) c = 40200 6 FIGURE-5-N 3.0 7 POWER-4-N 19.0 8 GUZU-5-N 14.0 GUQU-4-N 19.0 Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling

[0105] [] [Example of a mixture] [6] Prepare the following mixture (M-6). Mixture M-6 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 87 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = twenty one ℃ 1 DUUQU-3-F 12.0 2 FIGURE-4-F 10.0 3 FIGURE-5-F 4.0 4 FIGURE-3-N 6.0 ε(20°C,1 kHz) c = 5010 5 FIGURE-4-N 10.0 ε(20°C,10 Hz) c = 39800 6 FIGURE-5-N 3.0 7 POWER-4-N 20.0 8 GUZU-5-N 15.0 GUQU-4-N 20.0 Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling

[0106] [] [Example of a mixture] [7] Prepare the following mixture (M-7). Mixture M-7 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 88 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 35 ℃ 1 DUUQU-3-F 12.0 2 FIGURE-4-F 12.0 3 FIGURE-5-F 4.0 4 FIGURE-3-N 7.0 ε(20°C,1 kHz) c = 5580 5 FIGURE-4-N 11.0 ε(20°C,10 Hz) c = 36,000 6 FIGURE-5-N 3.0 7 POWER-4-N 15.0 8 POWER-5-N 10.0 9 GUQU-4-N 15.0 10 UUZU-4-N 3.0 11 UUZU-5-N 3.0 12 UUQU-5-N 5.0 Σ 100.0 Note: tbd: to be determined. c) Value during cooling

[0107] [] [Examples of Mixtures] [8] Prepare the following mixture (M-8). Mixture M-8 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 88 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 39 ℃ 1 DUUQU-3-F 12.0 2 DUUQU-4-F 12.0 3 DUUQU-5-F 4.0 4 GUUQU-3-​​N 7.0 ε(20℃, 1 kHz) c = 5380 5 GUUQU-4-N 11.0 ε(20℃, 10 Hz) c = 37800 6 GUUQ-5-N 3.0 7 HEAT-4-N 13.0 8 HEAVY-5-N 8.0 9 GUQU-4-N 13.0 10 UUZU-4-N 5.0 11 UUZU-5-N 5.0 12 UUQU-5-N 7.0 Σ 100.0 Note: tbd: to be determined. c) Value during cooling

[0108] [] [Example of a mixture] [9] Prepare the following mixture (M-9). Mixture M-9 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 89 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 44 ℃ 1 DUUQU-3-F 12.0 2 DUUQU-4-F 12.0 3 FIGURE-5-F 4.0 4 FIGURE-3-N 7.0 ε(20°C,1 kHz) c = 5530 5 FIGURE-4-N 11.0 ε(20°C,10 Hz) c = 36200 6 FIGURE-5-N 3.0 7 POWER-4-N 11.0 8 POWER-5-N 6.0 9 CHAPTER-4-N 11.0 10 UUZU-4-N 7.0 11 UUZU-5-N 7.0 12 UUQU-5-N 9.0 Σ 100.0 Note: tbd: to be determined. c) Value during cooling

[0109] [] [Example of a mixture]

[10] Prepare the following mixture (M-10). Mixture M-10 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 107 ℃ serial number Abbreviation / wt% T(FerroN)c = 30 °C 1 MUU-4-N 10.0 2 MUU-5-N 5.0 3 UMU-4-N 10.0 4 UMU-5-N 5.0 5 UMU-6-N 5.0 6 GUUQU-3-N 15.0 7 GUUQU-4-N 10.0 8 GUUQU-5-N 10.0 9 DUUQU-3-F 10.0 10 DUUQU-4-F 10.0 11 DUUQU-5-F [10.0] Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling

[0110] [] [Examples of Mixtures]

[11] Prepare the following mixture (M-11). Mixture M-11 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 108 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 28 ℃ 1 MUU-4-N 7.0 2 MUU-5-N 4.0 3 UMU-4-N 7.0 4 UMU-5-N 4.0 5 UMU-6-N 3.0 6 GUUQU-3-N 15.0 7 GUUQU-4-N 13.0 8 GUUQU-5-N 12.0 9 DUUQU-3-F 7.0 10 DUUQU-4-F 9.0 11 DUUQU-5-F 4.0 12 GUZU-4-N 5.0 13 GUZU-5-N 5.0 14 GUQU-4-N [5] [.0] Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling

[0111] [] [Example of a mixture]

[12] Prepare the following mixture (M-12). Mixture M-12 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 104 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 30 ℃ 1 MUU-5-N 4.0 2 4-N 7.0 3 5-N 4.0 4 FIGURE-3-N 13.0 5 FIGURE-4-N 13.0 6 FIGURE-5-N 12.0 7 FIGURE-3-F 9.0 8 DUUQU-4-F 9.0 9 DUUQU-5-F 4.0 10 GUZU-4-N 10.0 11 GUZU-5-N 5.0 12 GUQU-4-N [10.0] Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling

[0112] [] [Example of a mixture]

[13] Prepare the following mixture (M-13). Mixture M-13 composition Physical properties compound concentration T(N, I) = 103 ℃ serial number abbreviation / weight% T(FerroN)c = 20 ℃ 1 MUU-5-N 6.0 2 UMU-4-N 8.0 3 UMU-5-N 6.0 4 GUUQU-3-​​N 13.0 5 GUUQU-4-N 13.0 6 GUUQU-5-N 12.0 7 DUUQU-3-F 7.0 8 DUUQU-4-F 7.0 9 DUUQU-5-F 3.0 10 GUZU-4-N 10.0 11 GUZU-5-N 5.0 12 GUQU-4-N [10.0] Σ 100.0 c) Value during cooling

[0113] Evaluation Example 1 The capacitor comprising two glass substrates with ITO electrodes was filled with a 110 µm dielectric layer made of the dielectric material of Mixture Example 1. The capacitance of 1.41 µF was measured using a 10 Hz AC voltage. The resulting relative permittivity (εr) of the dielectric was 4.2 ∙ 10⁴.

[0114] Device Example 2 preparation:

[0115] A capacitor (25 mm x 35 mm) comprising two ITO electrodes spaced 750 µm apart was fabricated on a glass substrate. The two long sides were sealed with a combination of UV resin and thin glass tubes acting as spacers. The electrical connection between the two ITO electrodes and the voltage source was made via the edge of the glass. The capacitor was placed in a large-capacity reservoir of the LC dielectric of Mixture Example 1, with the glass substrates in a vertical position. The Nf-LC dielectric was introduced into the open space between the substrates up to the level of the bulk liquid. The glass was marked with a vertical length scale starting from the meniscus of the liquid medium.

[0116] Electromechanical operation (DC): Voltages of 10, 20, 30, and 40 V DC are supplied to the device. The dielectric level inside the capacitor rises against gravity until a new equilibrium position is reached. The limiting level reached by the LC dielectric is proportional to the applied voltage. The initial vertical velocity of filling is also positively correlated with the applied voltage (table).

[0117] Table: Capacitor fill time compared to applied voltage (DC) Voltage Time to fill volume 10 V 26 s 20V 7 s 30 V 4 s 40 V 3 s

[0118] Temperature dependence and comparator The device operates at 20°C and 50°C. At 50°C, the LC dielectric of the device is in a conventional nematic state (non-ferroelectric).

[0119] Although the operation at 20°C is as described above, at 50°C, when a voltage of 40 V is applied, there is no visible change in the level of the LC medium.

[0120] Nonferroelectric nematic liquid crystal media do not respond to electrical signals because their electromechanical response coefficient is several orders of magnitude smaller.

[0121] Device Example 3 The device in Device Example 2 remains in this configuration, but the electrical signals are changed.

[0122] Electromechanical operation (AC): The device in Example 2 is supplied with an AC voltage of 80 V (5 Hz / 20 Hz). The device is filled at a lower rate than the DC voltage.

[0123] The device can adapt to varying power polarization; however, frequent commutation reduces net power conversion.

[0124] Device Example 4. Piston Actuator The piston mechanism shown in Figure 2 is filled with the medium according to Mixture Example 1. The piston moves toward an electrode with an electric potential.

[0125] detail: The setup is similar to that shown in Figure 2. Approximately 1 g of the medium according to Mixture Example 1 is filled into a flat container made of thin glass plates and sealed at the edges.

[0126] The container is suspended vertically from above on a long line and placed on the boundary between two pairs of flat electrodes that fit snugly to the thickness of the container. When a voltage (40 V) is applied to one pair of electrodes, the container moves toward those electrodes due to the electric field force on the dielectric. When the electrodes are grounded, the container retracts to its initial position. By exchanging electrical signals and grounding the two pairs of electrodes, the container can move from one electrode to the other.

[0127] For a piston of dielectric material with a diameter of 1 cm² (parallel to the electric field) and an εr of 42000 in an electric field of 100 Vcm⁻¹, the force system is approximately 2∙10⁻³ N.

[0128] Device Example 5. Variations in Piston Actuators Electromechanical conversion machine with piston according to Figure 3

[0129] Instead of the LC-filled container according to device example 4, a nonferroelectric low-εr piston (thermoplastic) moves within the ferroelectric nematic LC dielectric between capacitor plates. The electric field draws in the dielectric and pushes the piston out of the electric field.

[0130] detail: A flat piece of plastic is loosely confined within a sealed container containing a ferroelectric nematic LC dielectric. The plastic part fills approximately 40% of the container volume and is laterally movable. As shown in Figure 3, the surface of the container has two pairs of electrodes. The movement of the plastic part can be observed when a glass plate is used as the container. When a suitable electrical signal is applied to these electrodes (see Device Example 4), the plastic part can move from one pair of electrodes to the other pair and act as a piston within the dielectric.

[0131] Device Example 6. Circular motor according to Figures 4a / 4b The motor, based on the drawn outline, can be made from suitable plastic parts 3D printed with thin walls. Structural materials suitable for organic substances are selected; however, the solubility in high-molecular-weight, highly fluorinated media used here is generally acceptablely low. A flat, round rotor with a 6 cm diameter fan-shaped chamber suitable for LC media is printed, filled and sealed with the medium of Mixture Example 1. The chamberless portion is partially thermoplastic and air, as stability is necessary during rotation. The rotor's external shape is designed to be flat to prevent excessive wear on the electrodes in contact. The rotor is placed on a shaft and as close as possible to the small gap between the fan-shaped electrode pairs. These electrodes are addressed by an alternating-phase DC voltage with variable amplitude. Rotation is initiated by an external pulse. The rotational speed is determined by the frequency of the phase sequence of the voltage source.

[0132] 1: Electrode / Rotor / First Sector 2: Electrode / Cavity / Second Sector 3: Dielectric material / cap / electrode 4: Casing / Electrode / Piston 5: Rod / Electrode 6: Tube / Electrode / Container 7: Axis

Claims

1. An electromechanical conversion machine comprising two or more electrodes for generating an electric field in a spatial volume distributed between at least two electrodes, a dielectric material at least partially located in the spatial volume of the electric field between at least two of the electrodes, wherein the dielectric material is spatially variably positioned relative to the electrodes, and wherein the dielectric material comprises one or more liquid crystal (LC) materials exhibiting a ferroelectric nematic phase, wherein the one or more LC materials comprise at least two compounds having a molecular structure of Formula I, wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein... Furthermore, one or more of these CH2 groups can, in various cases, be independently substituted with -C≡C-, -CF2-O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH-, -O-, -S-, -(CO)-O-, or -O-(CO)- in a manner where the O / S atoms are not directly connected to each other, and among these, Additionally, one or more H atoms may be halogenated or represent H, X-series CN or F, L1-series H or CH3, Z1-series CF2O or -(CO)-O- or single bond, and Z2-series CF2O or -(CO)-O- or single bond, wherein the one or more LC materials comprise one, two, three or more IB-1 and / or IB-2 compounds: R1B represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms, wherein, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these groups may, in each case, be independently substituted with -C≡C-, -CF2-O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH-, -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -O-CO- in such a way that the O / S atoms are not directly connected to each other, and wherein, in addition, one or more H atoms may be halogenated or represent H, and Z1B, Z2B independently represent -(CO)-O- or -CF2-O-.

2. The electromechanical conversion machine of claim 1, comprising a liquid crystal medium as a dielectric, comprising 10% by weight or more of one or more compounds of formula IA, 10% by weight or more of one or more compounds of formula IB, and 10% by weight or more of one or more compounds selected from formulas IC-1 to IC-3, wherein X1B represents -CN, X1C represents -CN or F, Z1A and Z1B independently represent -(CO)-O- or -CF2-O- or a single bond, Z2A and Z2B independently represent a single bond, -(CO)-O- or -CF2-O-, one of the two groups Z1C and Z2C represents -(CO)-O- or -CF2-O- and the other represents a single bond, L1A, L1B and L1C independently represent H or CH3, L2A is F or H, L2C is F or H, wherein L8B represents an alkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl group, each having 1 to 7 C atoms, m, n 0, 1, or 2, where (m + n) refers to 1, and R1A, R1B, and R1C independently represent alkyl groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. In addition, one or more of these CH2 groups may, in each case, be independently replaced by -C≡C-, -CF2-O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH-, -O-, -S-, -(CO)-O- or -O-(CO)- in such a way that the O / S atoms are not directly connected to each other, and in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by halogens, or represent H.

3. The electromechanical conversion machine as claimed in item 1 or 2, wherein the LC material exhibits a ferroelectric nematic phase at a temperature of 10°C to 30°C.

4. The electromechanical conversion machine as requested in item 1 or 2, wherein the LC material exhibits a relative permittivity εr of 15000 or greater at 20°C and 10 Hz.

5. The electromechanical conversion machine as requested in item 1 or 2, wherein the machine is configured to convert electrical signals into motion.

6. The electromechanical conversion machine as requested in item 1 or 2 is a linear electromechanical actuator that converts electrical signals into linear motion.

7. The electromechanical conversion machine as requested in item 1 or 2, wherein the liquid dielectric material is confined in a container.

8. The electromechanical conversion machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the dielectric material is located in a flow path within the spatial volume and the spatially variable positions of the dielectric material correspond to the flow movement of the dielectric material in the flow path.

9. The electromechanical conversion machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the machine is an electric motor that converts electrical signals into circular motion.

10. The electromechanical conversion machine, as requested in item 1 or 2, converts mechanical motion into electrical signals.

11. The electromechanical conversion machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is a microelectromechanical system having two electrodes spaced 1 mm apart or less in a spatial volume, or an electronic structure integrated on a semiconductor wafer.

12. Use of a liquid crystal material having a ferroelectric nematic phase as claimed in claim 1 or 2 as a dielectric material for use in electromechanical actuators, motors, or generators.

13. A method of manufacturing an electromechanical conversion machine, comprising inserting a liquid crystal medium as a dielectric material as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 into a defined spatial volume and attaching two or more electrodes, wherein the electrodes define a second spatial volume distributed between at least two of the electrodes, and the dielectric material is disposed to contact or partially reside within the second spatial volume.

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