A composition includes an isomerized polymer containing a structural unit containing an isomerized structure and an isomerized low molecular weight compound, the composition being fluidized by light irradiation from a solid state and being reversibly non-fluidized.

Liquid crystal-based devices for detecting a target contaminant in air, including hydrogen, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, ammonia or carbon monoxide, and methods of using such devices to detect the target contaminant are disclosed. Such devices have a substrate surface that includes one or more metals or metal alloys that is in contact with a liquid crystal composition. When the device is contacted with a sample that contains the target contaminant, an observed change in the orientational ordering of the liquid crystal signals the presence of the target contaminant. In the absence of the target contaminant, no change in orientational ordering occurs.

Disclosed are photonic crystals containing photoresponsive molecules and a method of preparing the same. More particularly, it is possible to synthesize photonic crystals containing photoresponsive molecules that induce photoalignment of azobenzene by ultraviolet irradiation using bent-shaped liquid crystal molecules containing azobenzene, which causes photo-isomerization upon ultraviolet irradiation, form a periodic structure in a visible light region using a self-assembly phenomenon occurring as temperature decreases, realize a reflection color and enable reversible pattering.

A method for producing flakes of a resin thin film including: a step (1) of forming a resin thin film on a substrate film to obtain a multilayer film; a step (2) of pressing the multilayer film by a member having a concavo-convex shape to form cracks in the resin thin film; and a step (3) of stripping the resin thin film from the substrate film to obtain flakes. The step (2) is preferably performed with a pressing pressure of 100 MPa or less. The resin thin film is preferably formed of a cured product of a photocurable liquid crystal composition. The resin thin film is preferably a cholesteric resin layer.

Disclosed is a liquid crystalline epoxy compound wherein an epoxy group is positioned at a side chain of the longer direction of a mesogen group and each of the mesogen group and the epoxy group is connected to the center of the molecular structure through a flexible linkage. Since the liquid crystalline epoxy compound includes an epoxy group positioned at a side chain of the longer direction of a mesogen group and each of the mesogen group and the epoxy group is connected to the center of the molecular structure through a flexible linkage, the interaction between the mesogens in a cured resin product occurs significantly without weakening even after curing, thereby improving the heat conductivity of the resin compound through the active heat transfer between the mesogens.

Disclosed is a liquid crystalline epoxy compound wherein an epoxy group is positioned at a side chain of the longer direction of a mesogen group and each of the mesogen group and the epoxy group is connected to the center of the molecular structure through a flexible linkage. Since the liquid crystalline epoxy compound includes an epoxy group positioned at a side chain of the longer direction of a mesogen group and each of the mesogen group and the epoxy group is connected to the center of the molecular structure through a flexible linkage, the interaction between the mesogens in a cured resin product occurs significantly without weakening even after curing, thereby improving the heat conductivity of the resin compound through the active heat transfer between the mesogens.

To suppress a phenomenon where an optical axis of the optically anisotropic layer is tilted when the optically anisotropic layer is produced by using a liquid crystalline compound showing smectic phase as a materials showing a higher level of orderliness. An optically anisotropic layer wherein a polymerizable composition, containing one or more polymerizable rod-like liquid crystal compound showing a smectic phase, is fixed in a state of smectic phase, and a direction of maximum refractive index of the optically anisotropic layer is inclined at 10 or smaller to the surface of the optically anisotropic layer, a method for manufacturing the same, a laminate and a method for manufacturing the same, a polarizing plate, a liquid crystal display device, and an organic EL display device.

To suppress a phenomenon where an optical axis of the optically anisotropic layer is tilted when the optically anisotropic layer is produced by using a liquid crystalline compound showing smectic phase as a materials showing a higher level of orderliness. An optically anisotropic layer wherein a polymerizable composition, containing one or more polymerizable rod-like liquid crystal compound showing a smectic phase, is fixed in a state of smectic phase, and a direction of maximum refractive index of the optically anisotropic layer is inclined at 10 or smaller to the surface of the optically anisotropic layer, a method for manufacturing the same, a laminate and a method for manufacturing the same, a polarizing plate, a liquid crystal display device, and an organic EL display device.

A composition having a high n, a wide temperature range of a liquid crystal phase, low viscosity, good solubility at a low temperature, high resistivity, a high voltage holding ratio, and stability against heat and light; a liquid crystal composition containing the composition, the liquid crystal composition having a good lens effect and good chemical stability; a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal composition; and a liquid crystal lens including the liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition contains one or two or more compounds represented by general formula (i) and one or two or more compounds represented by general formula (ii).

A composition having a high n, a wide temperature range of a liquid crystal phase, low viscosity, good solubility at a low temperature, high resistivity, a high voltage holding ratio, and stability against heat and light; a liquid crystal composition containing the composition, the liquid crystal composition having a good lens effect and good chemical stability; a liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal composition; and a liquid crystal lens including the liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition contains one or two or more compounds represented by general formula (i) and one or two or more compounds represented by general formula (ii).