| abstract |
A novel liquid crystal compound has the molecular structure: <IMAGE> n = 0, 1 or 2. where R is an alkyl group, which may contain up to 18 carbon atoms and which may be normal or branched and may contain a chiral center, <IMAGE> is a bicyclo (2.2.2) octane ring, -X- is <IMAGE> +TR <IMAGE> and Y is a cyano group CN or R1 or OR1 where R1 has the same definition as R. The compound may be used in mixtures with other liquid crystal compounds in the same or other families and the compound or mixtures may be used in known liquid crystal devices, eg the twisted nematic and cholesteric-to-nematic phase change devices, depending on its properties. |