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.
The new UV-free VA (vertically aligned) polymer additive technology that we developed under this Phase II will enable the reduction in cost of the manufacture and improvement in performance of VA-LCDs that are currently the leading technology in HDTVs. Addition of as little as 0.05% (1 part polymer in 2000 parts LC host) of this polymer additive results in greater speed and lower power consumption compared to current VA LCDs. Our proprietary family of additives, "polymer dopants", eliminates the UV exposure required in the fabrication of current PS-VA displays, further reducing display manufacturing costs. In addition, we have developed a broad temperature (+80 to -30ºC) and low viscosity VA-nematic LC mixture (the LC host), comparable with VA hosts used in current HDLCDs that can be used with our new polymer additives, that afford a turn-key solution for the display manufacturer, making this technology even simpler, and therefore more attractive for the manufacturer to use. Nematic LCDs overwhelmingly dominate the 157 Billion dollar display market, with the VA mode capturing approximately 70% of this market. Because of its superior performance, traditional UV-based PS-VA LCDs have captured a majority of the VA LCD market, however, it is an expensive and complicated manufacturing procedure. The newly developed UV-free PS-VA polymer additives eliminate the UV step, resulting in a simpler, lower cost, higher yield process. The result is a less expensive PS-VA display with improved image quality and lower power consumption.
