Liquid Crystal Vertical Alignment Agent for LCD
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid crystal display (LCD) technologies using polyimide (PI) alignment films face issues with high cost, complex manufacturing processes, poor heating and aging resistance, and hygroscopicity, leading to uneven liquid crystal orientation and reduced quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal vertical alignment agent with the molecular formula R2Si—(OR1)3 is introduced, which replaces PI alignment films, providing a cost-effective and stable solution for vertically aligning liquid crystal molecules, utilizing a small molecule structure that anchors liquid crystals with a stronger anchoring function and simplifies the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyimide (PI) alignment films are used for liquid crystal orientation, then liquid crystal molecules can be oriented in a certain direction, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the PI alignment film layer from the liquid crystal display structure, replacing it with a small molecule vertical alignment agent that is mixed directly into the liquid crystal material. This removes the separate alignment film manufacturing process while maintaining the essential function of liquid crystal orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the alignment function with the liquid crystal material itself by incorporating the small molecule vertical alignment agent into the liquid crystal composition. This combines what were previously separate components (alignment film and liquid crystal) into a single integrated system, simplifying the overall structure and manufacturing process.
2Reliability
If polyimide (PI) alignment films are used, then liquid crystal orientation can be achieved, but heating resistance and aging resistance are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the alignment system by replacing polyimide polymer material with small molecule compounds having specific molecular structures and properties. These small molecules are selected to have higher thermal stability and better aging resistance while maintaining effective liquid crystal anchoring capabilities.
3Reliability
If polyimide (PI) alignment films are used, then liquid crystal alignment can be achieved, but hygroscopicity is high causing uneven orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the hygroscopic polyimide alignment film with small molecule vertical alignment agents that do not exhibit significant hygroscopicity. These small molecules are mixed with the liquid crystal and do not absorb moisture from the environment, thereby preventing the uneven orientation problems caused by moisture absorption in PI films.
4Reliability
If polyimide (PI) alignment films are used, then liquid crystal orientation can be achieved, but the price is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive polyimide alignment films with much cheaper small molecule vertical alignment agents. These small molecules can be synthesized at lower cost and are used in smaller quantities since they are mixed directly with the liquid crystal material rather than being applied as a separate film layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention discards the costly PI alignment film material and process, replacing it with a more economical small molecule-based system that achieves the same alignment function at lower material and manufacturing costs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The new alignment agent ensures consistent and stable vertical alignment of liquid crystals, enhancing response speed and image display performance while reducing production costs and eliminating the need for PI alignment films.
Implementation Method 1
the ability of PI anchoring the liquid crystal molecules is weaker... The anchoring function to the liquid crystal molecules is stronger
Implementation Method 2
a small molecule vertical alignment agent which can make the liquid crystal molecules vertically orientated relative to the substrate surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a liquid crystal vertical alignment agent, and the liquid crystal vertical alignment agent can make the liquid crystal molecules vertically orientated relative to the substrate surface. The liquid crystal vertical alignment agent makes a cheap price, a stable performance and can make the liquid crystal molecules be vertically aligned. The alignment film such as polyimide (PI) in the present liquid crystal display (such as TFT-LCD) can be replaced, which is beneficial for raising the display performance of the liquid crystal display. The present invention further provides a liquid crystal display element, and the liquid crystal display element utilizes the said liquid crystal vertical alignment agent to make the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules in the vertical direction more consistent and have long term stability.