3C03 Meso-scale photo-polymerization induced phase separation and orientation order of liquid crystal/polymer, and applications to thermo-operated optical attenuators

Abstract

We produced meso-scale phase separation composed of nematic liquid crystal and liquid crystal polymer with targeted properties such as domain size and orientation order, although it's difficult to achieve photo-polymerization induced phase separation (photo-PIPS) using reactive mesogen monomer. Then, we realized various thermo-operated optical attenuators, which are able to control optical transmittance by switching between transparent and opaque states. The device is expected to be applied to smart windowpanes, whose solar transmittance into buildings can be controlled as a function of seasons.