An alignment film is given a 2-layer structure comprising a photoalignment film that is photoalignable and a low-resistivity alignment film whose resistivity is smaller than that of the photoalignment film. The photoalignment film is formed by a polyimide whose precursor is polyamide acid alkyl ester, the number molecular weight of the photoalignment film is large, and the stability of alignment of the photoalignment film by photoalignment is excellent. The low-resistivity alignment film is formed by a polyimide whose precursor is polyamide acid, the number molecular weight of the low-resistivity alignment film is small, and the resistivity of the low-resistivity alignment film is small. The 2-layer structure alignment film can be maintaining an excellent photoalignment characteristic, so DC afterimages can be controlled.

An alignment film is given a 2-layer structure comprising a photoalignment film that is photoalignable and a low-resistivity alignment film whose resistivity is smaller than that of the photoalignment film. The photoalignment film is formed by a polyimide whose precursor is polyamide acid alkyl ester, the number molecular weight of the photoalignment film is large, and the stability of alignment of the photoalignment film by photoalignment is excellent. The low-resistivity alignment film is formed by a polyimide whose precursor is polyamide acid, the number molecular weight of the low-resistivity alignment film is small, and the resistivity of the low-resistivity alignment film is small. The 2-layer structure alignment film can be maintaining an excellent photoalignment characteristic, so DC afterimages can be controlled.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal alignment composition comprising first liquid crystal alignment polymer; second liquid crystal alignment polymer; and a cross-linking agent compound, a method for preparing a liquid crystal alignment film using the same, a liquid crystal alignment film and a liquid crystal display using the same.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal alignment composition comprising first liquid crystal alignment polymer; second liquid crystal alignment polymer; and a cross-linking agent compound, a method for preparing a liquid crystal alignment film using the same, a liquid crystal alignment film and a liquid crystal display using the same.

A polymer liquid crystal compound with which a light absorption anisotropic film having a high alignment degree can be formed, a liquid crystalline composition, a light absorption anisotropic film which is formed of the liquid crystalline composition, a laminate, and an image display device. The liquid crystalline composition includes a polymer liquid crystal compound which contains a repeating unit represented by Formula (1) and a dichroic substance. In Formula (1), a difference between a log P value of P1, L1, and SP1 and a log P value of M1 is 4 or greater. In Formula (1), P1 represents a main chain of the repeating unit, L1 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, SP1 represents a spacer group, M1 represents a mesogenic group, and T1 represents a terminal group. ##STR00001##

A polymer liquid crystal compound with which a light absorption anisotropic film having a high alignment degree can be formed, a liquid crystalline composition, a light absorption anisotropic film which is formed of the liquid crystalline composition, a laminate, and an image display device. The liquid crystalline composition includes a polymer liquid crystal compound which contains a repeating unit represented by Formula (1) and a dichroic substance. In Formula (1), a difference between a log P value of P1, L1, and SP1 and a log P value of M1 is 4 or greater. In Formula (1), P1 represents a main chain of the repeating unit, L1 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, SP1 represents a spacer group, M1 represents a mesogenic group, and T1 represents a terminal group. ##STR00001##

A method for aligning molecular orientations of liquid crystals and/or polymeric materials into spatially variant patterns uses metamasks. When non-polarized or circularly polarized light is transmitted through or reflected by the metamasks, spatially varied polarization direction and intensity patterns of light can be generated. By projecting the optical patterns of the metamasks onto substrates coated with photoalignment materials, spatially variant molecular orientations encoded in the polarization and intensity patterns are induced in the photoalignment materials, and transfer into the liquid crystals. Possible designs for the metamask use nanostructures of metallic materials (e.g., rectangular nanocuboids of metallic materials arrayed on a transparent substrate).

Provided herein is technology relating to sensors for detecting an analyte and particularly, but not exclusively, to liquid crystal sensors, methods of producing liquid crystal sensors, and methods of using liquid crystal sensors.

Provided herein is technology relating to sensors for detecting an analyte and particularly, but not exclusively, to liquid crystal sensors, methods of producing liquid crystal sensors, and methods of using liquid crystal sensors.

A liquid crystal aligning agent composition for preparing a liquid crystal alignment film having enhanced stability and exhibiting excellent electrical characteristics, a method for preparing a liquid crystal alignment film using the same, and a liquid crystal alignment film and a liquid crystal display device using the liquid crystal alignment film.