Methods for Fabricating Thermochromic Filters
First Claim
1. A method for constructing a flexible thermochromic liquid crystal filter comprisingproviding a first polarizer film and a second polarizer film each having inner surfaces facing the other;
- orienting the second polarizer film to provide an offset polarity with respect to the first polarizer film;
providing a first alignment structure adjacent the inner surface of the first polarizer film and a second alignment structure adjacent the inner surface of the second polarizer filmplacing a plurality of spacers between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film; and
filling a space created by the spacers between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a wave block in an isotropic state and acts as a depolarizer film in a nematic state.
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Abstract
Thermochromic liquid crystal filters are fabricated by providing two polarizers oriented at offset polarity with respect to each other; providing alignment structures adjacent the inner surfaces of the polarizers; placing a plurality of spacers between the polarizers; and filling a space created by the spacers with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a wave block in an isotropic state and acts as a depolarizer in a nematic state. Alternatively, the filters can be created by encapsulating a thermochromic liquid crystal with a polymer material to form a flexible film and orienting the thermochromic liquid crystal in the polymer material to create a structure that functions as a thermochromic optical filter. Such filters can control the flow of light and radiant heat through selective reflection, transmission, absorption, and/or re-emission. The filters have particular application in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films, materials, and devices, and particularly as construction materials.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for constructing a flexible thermochromic liquid crystal filter comprising
providing a first polarizer film and a second polarizer film each having inner surfaces facing the other; -
orienting the second polarizer film to provide an offset polarity with respect to the first polarizer film; providing a first alignment structure adjacent the inner surface of the first polarizer film and a second alignment structure adjacent the inner surface of the second polarizer film placing a plurality of spacers between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film; and filling a space created by the spacers between the first polarizer film and the second polarizer film with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a wave block in an isotropic state and acts as a depolarizer film in a nematic state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for constructing a thermochromic filter comprising
encapsulating a thermochromic liquid crystal with a polymer material to form a flexible film; - and
orienting the thermochromic liquid crystal in the polymer material to create a structure that functions as a thermochromic optical filter. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification