An optically transparent actuator apparatus is provided that includes an optically transparent bi-stable member including an optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layer. The bi-stable member is structured to move from a first state to a second state in response to a first stimulus and from the second state to the first state in response to a second stimulus. Also, a display apparatus includes a plate member and an actuator assembly coupled to the plate member. The actuator assembly includes a number of optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layers, wherein each of the optically transparent liquid crystalline polymer layers is structured to move from a first state to a second state in response to a first stimulus.

The invention relates to a polymerisable LC material comprising at least one di- or multireactive mesogenic compound and at least one compound of formula I,

##STR00001##

in which the parameter R.sup.1, A.sup.1, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, n, Sp, P, p1, p2, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, r1, r2, m and R.sup.2 have one of the meanings as given in claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates also to a method for the preparation of a polymerisable LC material, a polymer film obtainable from the corresponding polymerisable LC material, to a method of preparation of such polymer film, and to the use of such polymer film and said polymerisable LC material for optical, electro-optical, decorative or security devices.

A polymerizable liquid crystal composition capable of manufacturing an optically anisotropic film having excellent light fastness; and an optically anisotropic film, an optical film, a polarizing plate, an image display device, and an organic electroluminescent display device, each of which uses the polymerizable liquid crystal composition. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition of an embodiment of the present invention contains a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having reverse-wavelength dispersion properties and an ultraviolet absorber represented by Formula (1), in which a maximum absorption wavelength A of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a maximum absorption wavelength B of the ultraviolet absorber satisfy Formula (2), and a content of the ultraviolet absorber is 1% to 20% by mass with respect to a content of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. ##STR00001##

Provided is a compound which is capable of reducing a tilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule, and a polymerizable composition, a cured product, an optical film, a polarizing plate, and an image display device, each using the compound. The compound is represented, for example, by Formula (I), P-Sp-Z-G.sup.1-(X.sup.1-Cy.sup.1)n-(X.sup.2-A.sup.1)m-X.sup.3-A.sup.2.

An object of the present invention is to provide a compound having an excellent rate of change in HTP caused by exposure. Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition formed of the compound, a cured product, an optically anisotropic body, and a reflective film.

The compound of the present invention is represented by General Formula (1).

##STR00001##

In General Formula (1), a portion where a solid line and a broken line are parallel to each other represents a single bond or a double bond.

In General Formula (1), X.sup.1 to X.sup.8 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent. However, at least one of X.sup.1, X.sup.3, X.sup.5, or X.sup.7 and at least one of X.sup.2, X.sup.4, X.sup.6, or X.sup.8 represent a substituent including a group represented by General Formula (2).

##STR00002##

In General Formula (2), Z represents a single bond or —O—. Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group not including an aryl group. *1 and *2 represent bonding positions.

There are provided a projection image-displaying member, a windshield glass, and a head-up display system in which both high visible light transmittance and good tint of a screen image displayed are achieved. The projection image-displaying member has a selectively reflecting layer that wavelength-selectively reflects light. The selectively reflecting layer has a maximum reflectivity in a wavelength range of 700 to 850 nm at an incidence angle of 5° and has a peak with a reflectivity of 15% or more in a wavelength range of 470 to 540 nm. The selectively reflecting layer further has two or more peaks of reflectivity in a wavelength range of 540 to 700 nm.

Provided are a film which includes at least an a liquid crystal polymer and a filler, and has a melting calorie equal to or greater than 0.5 J/g; a laminate which includes at least the film and a metal layer or a metal wire which is disposed on at least one surface of the film; and applications of the film.

A liquid composition comprising: a liquid crystal polyester powder comprising a liquid crystal polyester and having an average particle diameter of 30 μm or less; and a medium, wherein a specific gravity of the medium measured in accordance with JIS Z 8804 using water as a reference substance is 0.90 or more.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition capable of forming a light absorption anisotropic layer with an excellent surface state and an excellent alignment degree, a light absorption anisotropic layer, a laminate, and an image display device. The liquid crystal composition is a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal compound A represented by Formula (I) Q1-V1-SP1-X1-(Ma-La)na-X2-SP2-V2-Q2, a compound B represented by Formula (II) Q1-V1-SP1-X1-(Mb-Lb)nb-SP3-(Mc-Lc)nc-X2-SP2-V2-Q2, and a dichroic substance.

A liquid crystal polyester comprising a repeating unit (A1) represented by the formula (A1) and a repeating unit (A2) represented by the formula (A2). A molar ratio (phenolic hydroxyl groups derived from the repeating unit (A2)/phenolic hydroxyl groups derived from the repeating unit (A1)) is 1 or lower, as calculated by .sup.1H-NMR. A ratio [repeating unit (A2)/repeating unit (A1)] is 1.2 or larger. The number of the repeating unit (A1) is 20% or more and the number of the repeating unit (A2) is 58% or more based on 100% of a total number of all repeating units of the liquid crystal polyester. A flow starting temperature of the liquid crystal polyester is 250° C. or more.

—O—Ar.sup.11—CO—  (A1)

—O—Ar.sup.12—CO—  (A2)

Ar.sup.11 represents a phenylene group and Ar.sup.12 represents a naphthylene group. A hydrogen atom is optionally substituted.