Encapsulated Polymer Stabilized Cholesteric Texture Light Shutter

摘要

We developed an encapsulated polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (EPSCT) light shutter, from a mixture of Polyvinyl Alcohol, cholesteric liquid crystal, photo-polymerizable monomer, surfactant and water. The liquid crystal and monomer was encapsulated into tens-micron droplets by emulsification. The encapsulated material was coated and sandwiched between substrates. Then the material was irradiated by UV light to polymerize the monomer. EPSCT has the advantages of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) that it is self-adhesive and can be manufactured in a roll-to-roll process. It also has the advantages of polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (PSCT) that it has highly transparent state and large viewing angle. EPSCT can be used for flexible displays and switchable privacy and energy-saving architectural windows.