About
the LCI
The Liquid Crystal Institute (LCI) advances basic
research by
providing state-of-the-art facilities and research programs
focused on liquid crystal science and display development.
The LCI benefits industry through cooperative research efforts
and by preparing graduate and undergraduate students with
the knowledge and experience necessary for successful careers
in the expanding field of liquid crystal displays.
The LCI
plays an important role in applied liquid crystal research.
Past cooperative industrial projects include the following
achievements:
- TN
and STN modeling and optimization
- Cholesteric
bistable reflective displays
- Page-size
zero power displays
- Optical
compensators
- Optimization
for wide viewing angle LCDs
- 3-D
model of director orientation in micro-displays
- Diffractive
devices
- PDLC
windows
- Electronic
shutters
- Patterned
alignment layers
- Rub-free
alignment layers
- Plastic
substrate LCDs
- IR
devices for telecommunications
- SmC*
devices
- Polymer
stabilized bistable display devices
- Custom
liquid crystalline materials
Membership Benefits
Companies can participate in LCI's research and technology development
through the Industrial Partnership Program. The program provides
the following services to assist companies working on liquid
crystal applications:
- A window
to current advances in liquid crystal science and technology
- A
cost-effective means to leverage research budgets
- Assistance
in solving specific problems
- Access
to trained personell for short term projects
- Access
to specialized resources for prototype development
- Access
to high volume LCD manufacturing equipment for process
evaluations
Industrial Participation
More than 45 companies have joined the LCI Industrial Partnership
Program since its inception in 1991. Member companies participate
in symposia, short courses, and workshops.
Industrial partners provide direction for future research
and activities and contribute their expertise to the LCD Research
Facility Advisory Board.
Membership Fees
and Services
Companies can join the LCI Industrial Partnership Program
for a $10,000 annual fee. The fee includes $4,000 in credits
which may be used to purchase services. The following services
are available to members at reduced rates:
Research
and Problem Solving
- Short
course on liquid crystal applications
- Half-day
company visit with targeted seminar
- Access
to graduate student for short research or modeling projects
- Modeling
software
- Custom
technology reports
- LCI
scientist consultations
Device Prototypes and Characterization
- Direct
access to prototyping facility and LCD manufacturing equipment
- Characterization
software
- Contract
prototype development
- Device
characterization
- Liquid
crystalline material synthesis
- Technical
and engineering assistance
- Documented
process training
Materials Characterization
- Elastic,
refractive and dielectric constants of LC materials
- Pretilt
angles and surface anchoring of alignment layers
- Optical,
scanning electronc and atomic force microscopy
IPP Contacts
|
Philip J. Bos, IPP Director
Ph.D., Physics
Kent State University (1978)
Tel: (330) 672-2511
pbos@lci.kent.edu
|
|
Douglas R. Bryant
Prototype Facility Manager
M.S. Electrical Engineering
Univ. of Southern California (1992)
Tel: (330) 672-1583
dbryant@lci.kent.edu
|
 |
Bentley Wall
Process Development Scientist
Tel: (330) 672-1555
bentley_wall@yahoo.com |
|
