Novel Liquid Crystal material development for improved light processing

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120

September 30, 2021

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q3 2021 update

LightSpace Technologies, Ltd. in cooperation with EuroLCDs, Ltd. has successfully finished the project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Shutters” on Q3 of 2021 (Project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

During project implementation, we have achieved more than planned. In total, 5 new assets have been registered in project partners’ balance sheets, 3 scientific publications already published in SCOPUS cited journals and one more is on the way, instead of only two planned in journals that are not cited in SCOPUS. There are 3 new workplaces for new scientists who will continue to work in the companies that participated in the project. A patent application has been prepared and submitted thus achieving the planned result of IP rights protection.

Project finish is only a milestone, definitely not the finish line of our technology. Gained knowledge in cholesteric-type liquid crystal optical shutter element electro-optical development will allow us to achieve better 3D display systems picture quality and enable further achievements in this field.

The total planned costs of the project are EUR 0.84 million, including ERAF co-funding EUR 514 507.62.

June 30, 2021

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q2 2021 update

LightSpace Technologies, Ltd. in cooperation with EuroLCDs, Ltd. has successfully finished the Q2 of the project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Shutters” 2021 (Project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

LightSpace Technologies, Ltd. and EuroLCDs, Ltd. are continuing to work on most activities of project – from different experimental material sample preparation and further research in cooperation with scientific institutes, to analyzing the received results of the research.

The optimization of dopant synthesis was finished as planned. Central Financing and Contracting Agency has allowed us to amend grant agreement extending final term for 3 more months, so that last work results are included in final report.

EuroLCDs has prepared prototypes with selected coatings which have been evaluated.

The main objective of the proposed project is to gain deeper knowledge about how to improve the electro-optical characteristics of the cholesteric-type liquid crystal optical shutter (diffuser) elements with the primary field of application in volumetric 3D display systems.

The project is planned to be completed by the end of the September, 2021.

The total costs of the project are EUR 0.8 million, including ERAF co-funding EUR 514 530.55.

March 31, 2021

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q1 2021 update

LightSpace Technologies, Ltd. in cooperation with EuroLCDs, Ltd. has successfully finished the Q1 of the project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Shutters” 2021 (Project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

LightSpace Technologies, Ltd. and EuroLCDs, Ltd. are continuing to work on most activities of project – from different experimental material sample preparation and further research in cooperation with scientific institutes, to analyzing the received results of the research.

The optimization of dopant synthesis is in the process as planned and no delays for dopant larger sample are expected.

ISSP prepared samples have been reviewed and analyzed, reports of results prepared. EuroLCDs has prepared prototypes with selected coatings which have been evaluated.

The main objective of the proposed project is to gain deeper knowledge about how to improve the electro-optical characteristics of the cholesteric-type liquid crystal optical shutter (diffuser) elements with the primary field of application in volumetric 3D display systems.

The project is planned to be completed by the end of the June, 2021.

The total costs of the project are EUR 0.8 million, including ERAF co-funding EUR 514 530.55.

December 31, 2020

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q4 2020 update

Project team has successfully made a progress during Q4 of 2020 in the LightSpace Technologies and EuroLCDs joint project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Switches” (project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

The delay on PVD coating source deliveries for ISSP due pandemics was rectified during Q4 and samples have been prepared for review. After review, EuroLCDs will prepare prototypes with selected coatings.

September 30, 2020

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q3 2020 update

Project team has successfully made a progress during Q3 of 2020 in the LightSpace Technologies and EuroLCDs joint project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Switches” (project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

According to the project timeline, project team is continuing work on most activities of project – from different experimental material sample preparation and further research in cooperation with scientific institutes, to analyzing the received results of the research..

The project midterm report received positive evaluation. The optimization of dopant synthesis is in the process as planned.
The delay on PVD coating source deliveries for ISSP due pandemics was noted and project final implementation period was adjusted accordingly. Central Financing and Contracting Agency kindly approved project time frame extension by 3 months.

June 30, 2020

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q2 2020 update

Project team has successfully made a progress during Q2 of 2020 in the LightSpace Technologies and EuroLCDs joint project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Switches” (project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

According to the project timeline, project team continues R&D work – the preparation of different experimental material samples, further material research in cooperation with scientific institutes, verification and analysis of the achieved results.

Work continued on PVD coated layers to study different coating adhesion properties and their reliability at high temperatures. The optimal conditions have been found by varying process parameters during sputtering process.
The main objective of the proposed project is to gain deeper knowledge about how to improve the electro-optical characteristics of the cholesteric-type liquid crystal optical shutter (diffuser) elements with the primary field of application in volumetric 3D display systems.

March 31, 2020

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q1 2020 update

Project team has successfully made a progress during Q1 of 2020 in the LightSpace Technologies and EuroLCDs joint project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Switches” (project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

According to the project timeline, project team continues R&D work – the preparation of different experimental material samples, further material research in cooperation with scientific institutes, verification and analysis of the achieved results. New PVD coating method providing layer variations has been continued to be characterized and evaluated.

Eight new dopants have also been developed and their combinations with liquid crystal have been tested in high speed liquid crystal optical devices. Some of them provided new results and along with other dopants will be further evaluated in our project. To study the surface and stoichiometric influence on Liquid crystal devices stability we continued the work on PVD coated layers. The primary focus is now on coating adhesion properties. The project is planned to be completed by the end of the March, 2021.

December 30, 2019

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q4 2019 update

Project team has successfully made a progress during Q4 of 2019 in the LightSpace Technologies and EuroLCDs joint project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Switches” (project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

According to the project timeline, LightSpace Technologies and EUROLCDS have been working on five (of six) activities – from the preparation of different experimental material samples and further research in cooperation with scientific institutes, to the analyzing of the received results of the research.
New PVD coating method providing layer variations has been developed and currently has been characterized and evaluated.
Four new dopants have also been developed and their combinations with liquid crystals are being tested in high speed liquid crystal optical devices.
The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the March, 2021.

September 30, 2019

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q3 2019 update

Project team has successfully made a progress during Q3 of 2019 in the LightSpace Technologies and EuroLCDs joint project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Switches” (project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

According to the project timeline, research team has been working on first five activities – preparation of different experimental material samples and further research in cooperation with scientific institutes and analyzing received research results. Outsourced partner – Institute of Solid State Physics LU and Latvian Organic Synthesis Institute in previous period has done characterization for optical stack and made samples for display prototypes which are in preparation phase at this moment. The project is planned to be completed by the end of March 2021.

July 30, 2019

Project Funded by ERDF fund supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia No.1.1.1.1/18/A/120 Q2 2019 update

LightSpace Technologies has successfully finished the first period (Q2, 2019) in the project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Shutters” (project number 1.1.1.1/18/A/120).

According to the project timeline, LightSpace Technologies and EUROLCDS have been working on first activities – preparation of different experimental material samples and further research in cooperation with scientific institutes. Institute of Solid State Physics has completed initial material characterization for optical stack calculations and Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis is currently preparing samples for display prototypes. The project is planned to be completed by the end of March 2021.

March 28, 2019

LightSpace Technologies has signed a contract with Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFLA) of Latvia in the realization of project “Improvement of Electro-Optical Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Shutters” (1.1.1.1/18/A/120) on March 28, 2019.

EUROLCDS is the main partner in project realization and will implement experimental technology in production. The project is planned to complete by the end of March 2021.

The main objective of the proposed project is to gain deeper knowledge for improving electro optical characteristics of cholesteric-type liquid crystal optical diffuser elements with the primary field of application in the volumetric 3D display systems.

The scientific research of materials and coatings will be made in cooperation with Institute of Solid State Physics and Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis on the basis of the agreement.
The main objective of the proposed project is to gain deeper knowledge about improving electro-optical characteristics of cholesteric-type liquid crystal optical switching (diffusing) elements with the primary field of application in volumetric 3D display systems.

Research is proceeding as planned and it is expected that research will be carried out as it is planned in the project. Total project costs are EUR 0.8 million (including ineligible costs of EUR 98 127.73 which will be covered by companies own resources). EU Regional Development Fund covered eligible cost part has been planned to be EUR 514 530.55.