The present invention provides a novel non-lamellar liquid crystal-forming composition. An aspect of the present invention is a non-lamellar liquid crystal-forming composition comprising a fatty acid ester and a phospholipid. The fatty acid ester has a hydrophilic group having one hydroxyl group or a salt thereof, and the fatty acid ester is a fatty acid ester having none of the structures represented by General Formulas (A) to (D) (where m is independently 1 or 2; a, b, c, and d are each independently a binding site to a hydrophilic group; n is 0, 1 or 2; and the wavy lines each independently mean an E-isomer or a Z-isomer).

##STR00001##

A liquid crystalline polymer composition having a reduced tendency to create a static electric charge during a molding operation is provided. More particularly, the composition contains an ionic liquid that is distributed within a liquid crystalline polymer matrix. In addition to being electrically conductive, the ionic liquid can exist in liquid form during melt processing, which allows it to be more uniformly blended within the liquid crystalline polymer matrix. This improves electrical connectivity and thereby enhances the ability of the composition to rapidly dissipate static electric charges from its surface.

The invention relates to a photoalignment composition comprising at least a single photoalignment polymer, preferably a homo- or a copolymer having at least one photoreactive group; and at least a single solvent of formula (I)

(RCOOR),

wherein R and R are independently from each other straight-chain or branched alkyl chain, with the proviso that at least one alkyl chain is branched.

Further, the present invention relates to the use of this composition for coating or printing, especially for printing, more especially for inkjet or offset printing processes, and most especially for an offset printing process. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of the photoalignment composition for the preparation of orientation layers for liquid crystals and in the construction of unstructured and structured optical elements and multi-layer systems, especially liquid crystal displays, LCDs.

Provided is a polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by formula (1).

##STR00001##

An aspect can be exemplified, in which, in formula (1), W.sup.1 is hydrogen or a substituent, A.sup.1 is 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene or naphthalene-2,6-diyl, Z.sup.1 and Y.sup.1 are a connecting group, m and n each are an integer from 0 to 7, in which an expression: 3m+n8 holds, Q.sup.1 is a spacer, and PG is a polymerizable group.

A liquid crystal composition including: a polymerizable liquid crystal compound capable of expressing birefringence with inverse wavelength dispersion; a surfactant containing a fluorine atom; and a solvent, wherein the surfactant contains a fluorine atom at a ratio of 30% by weight or less in a molecule of the surfactant.

The present invention describes composite materials presenting an optical, electrical or optoelectronic response to stimuli, respective production method and application as sensitive films for the detection or quantification of a variety of analytes and analyte patterns, including but not limited to volatile organic compounds (VOC), vapors and gases, biomolecules, microorganisms, viruses, cells, and particles, as well as differences of temperature, pressure and electromagnetic fields. The composite material contains a mixture of (i) at least one liquid crystal; (ii) at least one ionic liquid or molecules with surfactant properties; (iii) polymer(s), preferably with natural or synthetic origin; (iv) appropriate solvent(s); optionally (v) a stabilizing element, such as sorbitol; and (vi) an electrolyte, which can be dispensed when the sensitive film is used to obtain an exclusively optical response or when the ionic liquid(s) or surfactant(s) are also conducting materials.

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of monodisperse optical and shape anisotropic polymer particles comprising monomer units of at least one reactive mesogen, such particles per se, the use of these particles for the preparation of optical, electrooptical, electronic electrochemical, electrophotographic, electrowetting and electrophoretic displays and/or devices and security, cosmetic, decorative, and diagnostic applications, and electrophoretic fluids and displays.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, which is capable of freely controlling a tilt angle of an arrangement direction of bright portion and dark portion derived from a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase with respect to a normal line of a main surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer; a cholesteric liquid crystal layer; an optically anisotropic body; and a reflective film. The method for producing a cholesteric liquid crystal layer according to the present invention includes a step X of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer A in which a liquid crystal compound is aligned into a state of a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase, satisfying all of the conditions 1 to 3, and a step Y of carrying out a treatment to increase or decrease a helical pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystalline phase in the cholesteric liquid crystal layer A obtained by the step X to increase or decrease a tilt angle of an arrangement direction of bright portion and dark portion derived from the cholesteric liquid crystalline phase, as observed in a cross-section perpendicular to a main surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer A, with respect to a normal direction of the main surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer A.

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of monodisperse optical and shape anisotropic polymer particles comprising monomer units of at least one reactive mesogen, such particles per se, the use of these particles for the preparation of optical, electrooptical, electronic electrochemical, electrophotographic, electrowetting and electrophoretic displays and/or devices and security, cosmetic, decorative, and diagnostic applications, and electrophoretic fluids and displays.

There is provided a composition containing a discotic liquid crystal compound, a chiral agent, and a surfactant which can form a light reflecting layer formed by fixing a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase, which exhibits excellent durability under a hot and humid environment and excellent heat resistance, and has few alignment defects; a light reflecting film; a luminance-improving film; a backlight unit; and a liquid crystal display device.