Abstract
This paper describes the fabrication and performance of a novel device based on liquid crystals dispersed in a polymer matrix. A low molecular weight liquid crystal material is introduced into a pre-formed, thin, porous, low density polymer film. Application of an electric field across the thin film produces a change in the transmission of the film just as in conventional Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals (PDLC) due to the reorientation of the liquid crystal director. Thus the device acts as a shutter. One significant advantage of this type of device over conventional PDLC is that there is no intermixing of the liquid crystal and monomeric material. Also compressible porous polymer matrices can be formed1 giving the potential for controllably distorting the pores in a given direction. The formation and switching characteristics of a device using a porous polymer based on styrene and divinylbenzene is described.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 567-575 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology. Section A. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals |
| Volume | 263 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1995 |
| Externally published | Yes |