Liquid Crystal Element With Segmented Polymer Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of liquid crystal display devices is expensive and requires large production lines, and existing polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) technologies face challenges in achieving efficient optical modulation and light shielding rate variability due to contamination of the polymer network by anisotropic dyes.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal device comprising two or more partition walls with a polymer network and a first liquid crystal compound, where a second liquid crystal compound and an anisotropic dye are physically separated from the polymer network, allowing for phase-separated and switchable orientations, thereby enhancing light shielding rate variability and reducing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional PDLC structure with dispersed liquid crystal compound in polymer is used, then the manufacturing process is simpler compared to LCDs, but the anisotropic dye contaminates the polymer network causing reduced light shielding rate variability
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional regions: a polymer network region containing the polymer matrix and first liquid crystal compound, and a liquid crystal layer region containing the second liquid crystal compound and anisotropic dye. This segmentation prevents the anisotropic dye from contaminating the polymer network while maintaining the PDLC's optical modulation functionality through the phase-separated liquid crystal compounds.
2Adaptability or versatility
If anisotropic dye is mixed with polymer network in conventional PDLC, then the device can achieve optical modulation, but the dye contamination inhibits transmissivity and reduces curable polymer network properties
Solution Approach 1:
The anisotropic dye is extracted from the polymer network and relocated to a separate liquid crystal layer region. This extraction eliminates the harmful contamination effect on the polymer network's curable properties and transmissivity, while the optical modulation capability is preserved through the liquid crystal compounds' phase separation and orientation control in the adjacent region.
3Ease of manufacture
If liquid crystal compound is dispersed in polymer network, then the PDLC can be prepared by simpler processes, but the light shielding rate variability is reduced due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the device are assigned different compositions and functions: the polymer network region contains polymer matrix and first liquid crystal compound for structural stability and curable properties, while the liquid crystal layer region contains second liquid crystal compound and anisotropic dye for optical modulation. This local quality differentiation maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving high light shielding rate variability through the interface between regions.
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 device exhibits excellent light shielding rate variability characteristics, minimizing transmissivity inhibition and maintaining curable polymer network properties, suitable for applications in optical modulation devices such as smart windows and flexible displays.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid crystal compound is present in an unaligned state in the PDLCs. Therefore, when a voltage is not applied to the PDLCs, the PDLCs are in an opaque state... When a voltage is applied to the PDLCs, the liquid crystal compound is aligned accordingly to be in a transparent state
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal layer comprising a second liquid crystal compound and an anisotropic dye, both of which are present in a region formed between the two or more partition walls wherein the first liquid crystal compound is phase-separated from the polymer network
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device, a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal device, and the use of the liquid crystal device. The liquid crystal device according to the present invention has excellent light shielding rate variability characteristics. Such a liquid crystal device can be applied to various optical modulation devices such as a smart window, a window protection film, a flexible display device, an active retarder for displaying a 3D image, or a viewing angle adjustment film.