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EPSRC Reference: GR/N30972/02
Title: DICHROIC AND FLUORESCENT DISPLAYS USING NEW CHIRAL NEMATIC FLEXOELECTRO-OPTIC BIMESOGENS
Principal Investigator: Coles, Professor HJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 November 2002 Ends: 29 February 2004 Value (£): 110,032
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We have recently discovered and patented a new class of highly twisted nematogenic (HTN) symmetric and asymmetric bimesogens that give rise to extremely high flexoelectro-optic coefficients. Preliminary birefringence devices switching 'in plane' demonstrated field on AND field off response times of between 20 and 500 microseconds which were independent of field (#1-5V/mm). The bipolar switching angles of the refractive index ellipsoid were over 90 degrees and independent of temperature. Devices have been driven 'in plane' and orthogonally in reflective mode to give molecular mirrors. The main aim of the present proposal is to synthesise new bimesogens incorporating dichroic and fluorescent dyes, to give high dye solubility and stability, to incorporate these bimesogneic dyes in the HTN matrix and examine the dye guest host (DGH) mode for both dichroic (absorption) and fluorescence (emissive) modes. The latter will lead to coloured, high brightness and contrast reflective or transmissive devices with one or zero polarisers and temperature independent properties with the same fast response at low fields. We will then incorporate these materials as 'neat' materials and soft gels in glass and polymer (flexible) substrates and examine passive matrix addressing schemes for complex information displays. Our main industrial partner is Merck R&D (UK).
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Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk