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

这项小企业创新研究（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）的质量并降低成本，特别是用于节能高清电视的液晶显示器。与现有的在显示器内部合成聚合物的方法不同，这项研究考察了在显示器外部合成和纯化的聚合物。侧基液晶聚合物（SGLCPs）可以在低浓度下用作液晶混合物的掺杂剂，而液晶混合物是LCD中的活性介质。在第一阶段成功发现的SGLCPs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（例如，填充平板的过程）和最终性能的影响将被表征；研究结果将指导该掺杂剂的工业应用。该项目对新型聚合物掺杂剂的广泛影响/商业潜力包括提高lcd电视的性能，特别是在快速增长的高清电视领域。液晶显示器由于其低工作电压、低功耗和薄的外形而广泛应用于电视。聚合物添加剂将被开发，以提高开关速度，提高亮度，改善视角，并保持良好的黑暗状态和高对比度，这是垂直排列向列液晶显示器（van - lcd）的标志。这些化合物的潜在收入在几年内可能达到每年1亿美元。从科学上讲，聚合物掺杂剂代表了一个全新的科学技术领域。最后，这项合作研究将涉及微合成、聚合物和LC物理性质以及LC显示制造的结合，这将赋予其负责人一个全面的视角，将发现转化为有竞争力的产品。

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.