newsbytes@clarinet.com (02/04/90)
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1990 JAN 30 (NB) -- The LCD or liquid crystal display market is expected to be one of the fastest growing markets in the future, and Japanese scientists believe they are advancing it further with an innovation in the field of biotechnology. So-called Liquid Crystal Composite Film is a new type of high polymer with regularly ordered holes. The size of the holes is controllable from 1 to 30 microns in diameter. The holes of the high polymer membrane are composed of liquid crystals. The switching speed of the liquid crystal could be increased five to ten times over that of a conventional LCD, which sandwiches liquid crystal with glass, according to the researchers. Theoretically, the adoption of this film would enable a LCD module to weigh less, be larger in size, and be created with other, more flexible materials, rather than just glass. The material was developed cooperatively by Riken Institute (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research) and Kyowa Hakko Kogyo. Dr. Takeo Furukawa of the Riken Institute has not yet addressed future applications of the film, but says the process is under development and has many hurdles before reaching the market. (Naoyuki Yazawa/19900201/Press Contact: The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, 0484-62-1111)