A laminate includes at least one first reflective layer formed by immobilizing a liquid crystal phase in which a rotational direction of the helical axis is rightward, and at least one second reflective layer formed by immobilizing a liquid crystal phase in which the rotational direction of the helical axis is leftward, in which the laminate has a first transmission band in the wavelength range of 300 to 3,000 nm, the half-width of the first transmission band is 200 nm or less, an average transmittance in a wavelength range from a half-value wavelength A on the short wavelength side of the first transmission band to a half-value wavelength B on the long wavelength side of the first transmission band is 50% or more, and the average transmittance in the wavelength range of 100 nm from the half-value wavelength A to the short wavelength side and the average transmittance in the wavelength range of 100 nm from the half-value wavelength B to the long wavelength side are respectively less than 20%.

A liquid crystal alignment agent capable of forming a liquid crystal display element having good resistance to ultraviolet decay and no mura effect, a liquid crystal alignment film, and a liquid crystal display element having the same are provided. The liquid crystal alignment agent includes a polymer (A), a polysiloxane (B), a polymerizable compound (C) containing a benzophenone structure, and a solvent (D). The polymer (A) is obtained by reacting a mixture. The mixture includes a tetracarboxylic dianhydride component (a1) and a diamine component (a2). The polysiloxane (B) contains a polymerizable unsaturated group, wherein the polymerizable unsaturated group includes a group represented by formula (1-1), a group represented by formula (1-2), or a combination of the two. ##STR00001##

A liquid crystal alignment agent capable of forming a liquid crystal display element having good resistance to ultraviolet decay and no mura effect, a liquid crystal alignment film, and a liquid crystal display element having the same are provided. The liquid crystal alignment agent includes a polymer (A), a polysiloxane (B), a polymerizable compound (C) containing a benzophenone structure, and a solvent (D). The polymer (A) is obtained by reacting a mixture. The mixture includes a tetracarboxylic dianhydride component (a1) and a diamine component (a2). The polysiloxane (B) contains a polymerizable unsaturated group, wherein the polymerizable unsaturated group includes a group represented by formula (1-1), a group represented by formula (1-2), or a combination of the two. ##STR00001##

To provide a mirror with an image display function which is capable of displaying a brighter image and has excellent view angle characteristics. A mirror with an image display function includes an image display device, a wavelength plate, and a circular polarization reflection layer in this order, the circular polarization reflection layer includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer of which a central wavelength of a selective reflection band is positioned in a visible light region, and at least one of the wavelength plate or the circular polarization reflection layer includes a layer formed of a liquid crystal composition containing a disk-like liquid crystal compound.

To provide a mirror with an image display function which is capable of displaying a brighter image and has excellent view angle characteristics. A mirror with an image display function includes an image display device, a wavelength plate, and a circular polarization reflection layer in this order, the circular polarization reflection layer includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer of which a central wavelength of a selective reflection band is positioned in a visible light region, and at least one of the wavelength plate or the circular polarization reflection layer includes a layer formed of a liquid crystal composition containing a disk-like liquid crystal compound.

Methods and compositions for detecting a targeted analyte, such as volatile organic compound (VOCs), are disclosed. Specifically, a cholesteric liquid crystal composition comprising a nematic liquid crystal and a chiral dopant transitions to a liquid crystal blue phase or undergoes other optical changes when in contact with a sample containing the analyte. The phase transition can be readily detected with the naked eye. The disclosed methods and compositions may be used in, for example, dosimeters for detecting analyte (e.g., VOC) exposure. Methods and compositions for producing arrays of liquid crystal thin films are also disclosed. The surface between the microwells in a microwell array is coated with a liquid-crystal-phobic material, such as a fluorinated polymer or a fluorinated silane, creating isolated microwell domains that are preferentially wetted by liquid crystal. Liquid crystal can be added to the microwell domains by simple techniques such as spin coating.

Methods and compositions for detecting a targeted analyte, such as volatile organic compound (VOCs), are disclosed. Specifically, a cholesteric liquid crystal composition comprising a nematic liquid crystal and a chiral dopant transitions to a liquid crystal blue phase or undergoes other optical changes when in contact with a sample containing the analyte. The phase transition can be readily detected with the naked eye. The disclosed methods and compositions may be used in, for example, dosimeters for detecting analyte (e.g., VOC) exposure. Methods and compositions for producing arrays of liquid crystal thin films are also disclosed. The surface between the microwells in a microwell array is coated with a liquid-crystal-phobic material, such as a fluorinated polymer or a fluorinated silane, creating isolated microwell domains that are preferentially wetted by liquid crystal. Liquid crystal can be added to the microwell domains by simple techniques such as spin coating.

A composition for ultraviolet light intensity detection comprises nematic mixed crystals, chiral additives, cholesteric liquid crystals, azobenzene monomers, photopolymerizable monomers and a photoinitiators. When preparing a film having the composition, the steps include mixing each of components of the composition and spreading out the mixture to form a pre-formed film of the mixture, and irradiating the pre-formed film by light to form a film for ultraviolet light intensity detection.

A composition for ultraviolet light intensity detection comprises nematic mixed crystals, chiral additives, cholesteric liquid crystals, azobenzene monomers, photopolymerizable monomers and a photoinitiators. When preparing a film having the composition, the steps include mixing each of components of the composition and spreading out the mixture to form a pre-formed film of the mixture, and irradiating the pre-formed film by light to form a film for ultraviolet light intensity detection.

The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal display device and its manufacturing method. The liquid crystal composition comprises a first composition and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer at a ratio by mass of the first composition to the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer of 2:3 to 4:1, wherein the first composition comprises 15 to 40 parts by weight of a chiral cholesterol ester compound, 59 to 75 parts by weight of nematic phase liquid crystal, and 1 to 10 parts by weight of ferroferric oxide. The liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal display panel, a first transparent electrode, a liquid crystal composition layer, and a second transparent electrode.