LC Color is classified as a dichroic dye for liquid crystals. It has an anisotropic chemical structure and can be dissolved in liquid crystals and switched by the liquid crystals to control their light absorption characteristics, enabling light intensity to be controlled in smart window applications.
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Dichroic Dye for Liquid Crystals
LC Color
- Overview
- Grades List
- Applications
Based on the premise of using LC Color with liquid crystals, we have designed it to be highly compatible with high liquid crystal and have a chemical structure with two absorption axes. These two absorption axes can be used to 1) change the transmittance of light by dissolving it in a liquid crystal and controlling its strength by turning it on and off, or 2) arrange it in the same direction on a film to function as a polarizing plate.
Example applications
- Smart windows (liquid crystal light controlling film)
- Monochrome LCDs
- Polarizing plates
- Instant dimming liquid crystal sunglasses
- LCD shutters
Application example 1: Smart windows (liquid crystal light controlling film)
For a long time, the main use of dichroic dyes has been monochrome displays, but it is now shifting to liquid crystal (LC) dimming films for smart windows.
This film, which can be switched between scattering and transmitting states when energized, has long been used in partitions to block line-of-sight and screens to project images when scattered, and in recent years it has been increasingly used as a window film for automobiles.
Our company owns anthraquinone dyes that are expected to have high durability due to their chemical structure, and by adding more LC Color to LCDs, it is even possible to control the amount of light, so it is mainly used for automobiles.
Application example 2: Monochrome LCDs
By adding LC Color to TN/STN monochrome LCDs and absorbing complementary colors using dyes, the brightness difference (contrast ratio) can be increased to improve visibility. This has been a major application in the past, but the scale of this use has been shrinking due to various technological innovations.
Application example 3: Polarizing plates
This is a type of dye-based polarizing plate for situations that cannot be handled by iodine polarizing plates, such as those used in high temperature ranges or molded in vacuum processes.
Our product is a lipophilic dye that cannot be used in iodine polarizing plate manufacturing processes.
Application example 4: Instant dimming liquid crystal sunglasses
It can be used for guest-host (GH) liquid crystal (LC) dimming sunglasses. Most dimming sunglasses have photochromic eyeglass lenses,* but these are analog photochromic devices that have a relatively slow return response. In contrast, guest-host (GH) liquid crystal (LC) dimming sunglasses are digitally driven and have other mechanisms such as solar sensors. They are characterized by their popularity with users and their quick response time.
*Developed as SunSensors™ by our parent company, Mitsui Chemicals, photochromic lenses are more suitable for eyeglass processing, and we prefer digital gadgets.
Application example 5: Liquid crystal shutters
LC Color is being considered as a replacement for mechanical shutters with the aims of miniaturization and increasing response speed.
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Smart window (LC dimming film), monochrome display, polarizing plate, LC instant dimming sunglass, LC shutter
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Advanced Chemicals Division