What Flexible GH-NO-LC stands for?
- Smart Films LC Team
- Feb 5, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 26
Flexible Guest Host (GH) Normally Open (NO) Liquid Crystal (LC)
Flexible guest-host (GH) liquid crystal (LC) systems represent an innovative and dynamic approach in the field of materials science and display technology. These systems are characterized by their ability to incorporate guest molecules into a host liquid crystal matrix, allowing for a wide range of optical and electro-optical properties that can be finely tuned for various applications.
Overview of Liquid Crystals
Liquid crystals are unique materials that exhibit properties between those of conventional liquids and solid crystals. They can flow like a liquid but also have the molecular ordering characteristic of a solid crystal. This dual nature allows liquid crystals to be responsive to external stimuli such as electric fields, temperature changes, and even light, making them ideal for a variety of applications, particularly in display technologies like LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays).
Flexible Guest-Host Systems
The concept of flexible guest-host systems involves embedding specific guest molecules within a liquid crystal matrix. These guest molecules can significantly alter the physical properties of the liquid crystal, enhancing its performance and expanding its functionality. The flexibility of these systems is crucial, as it allows them to be used in applications requiring bendable or stretchable materials, such as wearable technology, flexible displays, and advanced optical devices.
Normally Open (NO) Configuration
In the context of liquid crystal displays, a Normally Open (NO) configuration refers to a state in which the liquid crystal is in a non-active state when no external voltage is applied. This means that the liquid crystal molecules are arranged in a way that does not allow light to pass through, effectively blocking visibility. When an electric field is applied, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules changes, allowing light to pass through and creating a visible image or display.
Advantages of Flexible GH NO Liquid Crystals
The combination of flexibility, guest-host interactions, and the NO configuration presents several advantages:
Enhanced Optical Performance: The incorporation of guest molecules can lead to improved optical clarity, contrast ratios, and color rendering, making displays more vibrant and visually appealing.
Mechanical Flexibility: The flexible nature of these systems allows for the development of displays that can be bent, twisted, or otherwise manipulated without compromising performance. This is particularly useful in applications such as foldable smartphones or wearable devices.
Tailored Properties: By selecting specific guest molecules, researchers can customize the properties of the liquid crystal, such as response time, temperature range, and optical characteristics, to suit particular applications.
Energy Efficiency: Normally Open configurations can contribute to lower power consumption in devices, as they only require energy to change states, rather than to maintain a state of visibility.
Applications
Flexible guest-host NO liquid crystals have a diverse range of applications across various fields:
Display Technologies: They are crucial in the development of next-generation displays, including flexible screens for smartphones, tablets, and televisions.
Wearable Electronics: Their adaptability makes them suitable for wearable devices that require lightweight and flexible display solutions.
Smart Windows: These liquid crystals can be used in smart window applications, where they can change opacity in response to external stimuli, enhancing energy efficiency in buildings.
Optical Devices: They can be utilized in advanced optical devices, such as tunable lenses and beam steering applications, where precise control over light is necessary.
Summary
In conclusion, flexible guest-host normally open liquid crystals represent a significant advancement in material science and display technology. Their unique properties and versatility open up new avenues for innovation in various fields, paving the way for the next generation of flexible, efficient, and high-performance devices. As research continues to evolve, the potential applications and enhancements of these systems are likely to expand, leading to even more exciting developments in the future.
Guest Host film is a type of light control film that works by changing its optical properties in response to an applied voltage. Normally open Guest Host LC film is designed to be in its "transparent" state when no voltage is applied, allowing light to pass through freely. When a voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules in the film twist, causing the film to become tinted and block certain amount of light. The Liquid Crystal is the Host and Dyes are the Guests.
The amount of light that is tinted is dependent on the voltage applied, allowing the film to be used for variable light control, which also known as gray scale. There is no use of traditional polarizers and therefore the visible light transmission (VLT) is high and can reach app. 80%
Flexible GH-NO-LC film is used in applications such as smart wearable devices like Ski Goggles, Sunglasses, Helmets, AR glasses and more, where the ability to control light transmission is important.

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