In a process for the purification of a liquid-crystal mixture (7), the liquid-crystal mixture (7) is passed through a first electrodialysis cell (2) and a concentrate solution (14) is passed through a second electrodialysis cell (8) which is adjacent to the first electrodialysis cell (2) and is separated by an ion-exchanger membrane (9), and an electric field transverse to a direction of passage of the liquid-crystal mixture (7) through the first electrodialysis cell (2) is generated with the aid of an anode/cathode arrangement (15, 16) arranged outside the electrodialysis cells (2, 8) so that ionized constituents of the liquid-crystal mixture (7) are discharged at the ion-exchanger membrane (9) and removed from the liquid-crystal mixture (7).

In a process for the purification of a liquid-crystal mixture (7), the liquid-crystal mixture (7) is passed through a first electrodialysis cell (2) and a concentrate solution (14) is passed through a second electrodialysis cell (8) which is adjacent to the first electrodialysis cell (2) and is separated by an ion-exchanger membrane (9), and an electric field transverse to a direction of passage of the liquid-crystal mixture (7) through the first electrodialysis cell (2) is generated with the aid of an anode/cathode arrangement (15, 16) arranged outside the electrodialysis cells (2, 8) so that ionized constituents of the liquid-crystal mixture (7) are discharged at the ion-exchanger membrane (9) and removed from the liquid-crystal mixture (7).

The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, preferably having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy, which comprises a) one or more compounds of formula I

##STR00001## and b) one or more compounds selected from the group of compounds of the formulae II and III

##STR00002##

in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated in claim 1, to the use thereof in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALC, IPS or FFS effect, to displays of this type which contain a liquid-crystalline medium of this type, and to the use of the compounds of formula I for reduction of the dispersion of the birefringence of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of the formulae II and/or III.

The present invention relates to liquid crystal media comprising polymerisable mesogenic compounds with a bent shape, and to electro-optical displays comprising these media as light modulation media. In particular the electro-optical displays according to the present invention are displays, which are operated at a temperature, at which the liquid crystal modulation media are in an optically isotropic phase, preferably in a blue phase.

The liquid crystal light modulator includes a first substrate (10) and a second substrate (20) disposed between two polarizers, and a pair of electrode structures (24, 24). The substrates include homeotropic alignment films (12) and (22), and at least one of the substrates has a function of aligning C-directors of liquid crystal molecules along one direction. The one direction forms an azimuth angle in the range of 35 to 55 degrees with the direction of the electric field generated by the pair of electrode structures (24, 24). A liquid crystal composition layer (31) contains a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having a chiral smectic C phase or a liquid crystal composition that has an achiral smectic C phase and negative dielectric anisotropy. Light transmittance is modulated by the electric field generated by the electrode structures (24, 24) changing the birefringence index of the liquid crystal composition layer (31).

The invention relates to a polymerisable LC medium with flat optical dispersion, a polymer film with flat optical dispersion obtainable from such a medium, and the use of the polymerisable LC medium and polymer film in optical, electro optical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices.

Mesogenic compounds of formula I-Z ##STR00001##
are suitable for use in mesogenic media. Such mesogenic media can exhibit a blue phase and comprise component A, consisting of one or more compounds of formula I-Z, and, optionally a component B, consisting of one or more compounds selected from the group of compounds of formulae
I-M and I-U, ##STR00002##
wherein the parameters are as defined herein. The media can also be stabilized by a polymer. The media can be used in electro-optical light modulation elements and displays.

Provided are a liquid crystal cell and a use thereof. An exemplary liquid crystal cell can be implemented in a bistable mode switching between a haze mode and a non-haze mode even with low driving voltage. Such a liquid crystal cell can be applied to various optical modulation apparatus, such as a smart window, a window protection film, a flexible display element, an active retarder for a 3D visual display, and a viewing angle-controlling film.

Provided are a liquid crystal cell and a use thereof. An exemplary liquid crystal cell can be implemented in a bistable mode switching between a haze mode and a non-haze mode even with low driving voltage. Such a liquid crystal cell can be applied to various optical modulation apparatus, such as a smart window, a window protection film, a flexible display element, an active retarder for a 3D visual display, and a viewing angle-controlling film.

This invention relates to a gel comprising a colloid dispersed in a lyotropic nematic liquid crystal, the lyotropic nematic liquid crystal comprising defect lines formed by the colloid. The invention also relates to a method for making the gel comprising the steps of: (a) mixing a nematogen with a liquid and the colloid to form a resulting dispersion, and (b) applying shear to the resulting dispersion at a temperature such that a lyotropic nematic liquid crystal phase is formed. In addition, the invention relates to an adhesive, lubricant, ceramic, film, spray, gel, lotion, foam, nanowire, yarn, medical implant, wearable, bone graft material, 3D printing material, ink, agrochemical formulation, topical formulation, paint, coating, composite, energy storage material, advanced material, responsive composite, cosmetic product, personal care product, pharmaceutical or foodstuff comprising the gel.