SBIR Phase II: Ion and Radical-Free, Polymer-Stabilized, Vertically-Aligned Nematic LCDs for Enhanced Lifetime

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目将开发一种新型工艺，以提高大型液晶显示器（LCD）的质量并降低其成本，特别是用于节能高清电视的LCD。 而不是现有的方法，在显示器内合成的聚合物，这项研究检查聚合物合成和纯化的显示器外。将开发侧基液晶聚合物（SGLCP），其可以以低浓度用作液晶混合物中的掺杂剂，所述液晶混合物是LCD中的活性介质。在第一阶段中发现的成功SGLCP的化学变化将建立对掺杂剂有益作用机制的分子水平理解。掺杂剂对加工行为的影响（例如，填充平板的过程）和最终性能进行表征;结果将指导掺杂剂的工业应用。该项目对新型聚合物掺杂剂的更广泛的影响/商业潜力包括改进LCD-TV的性能，特别是在快速增长的HDTV领域。 液晶显示器由于其低工作电压、低功耗和薄的形状因子而广泛用于电视机中。 将开发聚合物添加剂，以提高开关速度，增强亮度，改善视角，并保持优秀的暗态和高对比度，这是垂直排列的液晶显示器（VAN-LCD）的标志。 这些化合物的潜在收入可能在几年内达到每年1亿美元。 从科学角度讲，液晶中的聚合物掺杂剂代表了一个全新的科学和技术领域。 最后，这项合作研究将涉及微合成，聚合物和LC物理特性以及LC显示器制造的组合，这将使其负责人对将发现转变为有竞争力的产品提供全面的视角。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop a new type of process to improve the quality and reduce the cost of large liquid crystal displays (LCDs), particularly those used for energy efficient high-definition televisions. Rather than the existing approaches that synthesize a polymer inside the display, this research examines polymers synthesized and purified outside of the display. Side-group liquid crystal polymers (SGLCPs) will be developed that can be used at low concentration as dopants in the liquid crystal mixture that is the active medium in the LCD. Chemical variations on the successful SGLCPs discovered in Phase I will establish molecular-level understanding of the mechanism of the beneficial effects of the dopant. Effects of the dopants on processing behavior (e.g., the process of filling the flat panel) and ultimate performance will be characterized; the results will guide industrial implementation of the dopants.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project on new polymer dopants include improved performance of LCD-TVs, especially in the rapidly growing HDTV segment. Liquid crystal displays are widely used in televisions due to their low operating voltage, low power consumption and thin form factor. Polymer additives will be developed that increase the switching speed, enhance the brightness, improve the viewing angle and maintain the excellent dark state and high contrast that are the hallmarks of vertically-aligned nematic liquid crystal displays (VAN-LCDs). The potential revenues of these compounds could reach $100 million annually within a few years. Scientifically, polymer dopants in LCs represent an entirely new field of science and technology. Finally, this collaborative research will involve a combination of microsynthesis, polymer and LC physical properties and LC display fabrication that will confer upon its principals a comprehensive perspective on the transition of discoveries into competitive product offerings.