A Method of Achieving Homeotropic Alignment for Liquid Crystal Display Devices

KSU.224

Abstract: It is highly desirable to create electronic displays (e.g. liquid crystal displays – LCDs) to be as thin and light as possible, while still maintaining a high degree of ruggedness to withstand forces from pressure, decompression, shear, and shock.  In addition, electronic displays that can be bent, folded, or flexed are also desirable.  Issues that must be addressed to achieve the goal of a rugged and flexible display include appropriate substrate material, structural bonding between the substrates, and proper alignment of the liquid crystals.  This invention generally relates to a form of in-situ polymerization that can achieve both a structural bond between the substrates and a homeotropic, or other predetermined alignment.

Applications:

•          Information displays, electro-optical devices, switchable microlens optics, etc.
•          Telecommunication systems and optical processing

Advantages:

•          Fast switching times for liquid crystal cells
•          High structural integrity between the substrates
•          High contrast
•          Low power requirement.

Inventors:  Dr. Satyendra Kumar, Dr. Bharat Raj Acharya, Dr. Hyunchul Choi