V-Shaped SmC* switching FLC compounds

Chiral aryl esters of 4-alkyl-3-chlorobiphenyl-4'-carboxylic and 4(6-aIky1cyc1ohex-2-enonoy1-3)benzoic acids have been synthesized. The phase transition temperatures and V-shaped SmC* switching ofthe prepared compounds are discussed

Unique chiral compounds as part of mixtures with optimized properties for different types of FLCDs

The effect of the molecular structure of liquid crystals on their mesomorphic and physico-chemical properties is studied. The unique compounds described in this work contain three or four phenyl rings. Modifications of the molecules via bridge fragments or via lateral substituents allowed the preparation and optimization of specific mixtures for different purposes. The formation of defect-free layers in ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) stable against various mechanical or temperature deformations is studied. The impact of viscous-elastic and chiral properties on the formation of smectic C* layers were established. A new electro-optic effect based on chiral-nematic mixtures for creating high-speed devices with switching time less than 1 ms was developed. All the boundary conditions necessary for the realization of this effect were experimentally investigated

Shock-Free Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Compositions: Optimized Chiral Compounds and Their Mixing Ratio with Non-Chiral Components

The best chiral compounds for the design of shock-free ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions with a wide temperature range of the chiral smectic C phase have been developed. For these experiments about 70 different 4-ring chiral compounds were synthesized and investigated. The influence of the chiral fragment, the mixing ratio between chiral and non-chiral molecules, and the pretilt angle of the alignment materials on the quality and on the mechanical stability of the orientation were investigated. New optimized ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions for the fabrication of shock-free ferroelectric liquid crystal displays with high contrast ratio are presented

Photocytotoxicity of mTHPC (Temoporfin) Loaded Polymeric Micelles Mediated by Lipase Catalyzed Degradation

Purpose. To study the in vitro photocytotoxicity and cellular uptake of biodegradable polymeric micelles loaded with the photosensitizer mTHPC, including the effect of lipase-catalyzed micelle degradation. Methods. Micelles of mPEG750-b-oligo(ɛ-caprolactone)5 (mPEG750-b-OCL5) with a hydroxyl (OH), benzoyl (Bz) or naphthoyl (Np) end group were formed and loaded with mTHPC by the film hydration method. The cellular uptake of the loaded micelles, and their photocytotoxicity on human neck squamous carcinoma cells in the absence and presence of lipase were compared with free and liposomal mTHPC (Fospeg ®). Results. Micelles composed of mPEG750-b-OCL5 with benzoyl and naphtoyl end groups had the highest loading capacity up to 30 % (w/w), likely due to π–π interactions between the aromatic end group and the photosensitizer. MTHPC-loaded benzoylated micelles (0.5 mg/mL polymer) did not display photocytotoxicity or any mTHPC-uptake by the cells, in contrast to free and liposomal mTHPC. After dilution of the micelles below the critical aggregation concentration (CAC), or after micelle degradation by lipase, photocytotoxicity and cellular uptake of mTHPC were restored. Conclusion. The high loading capacity of the micelles, the high stability of mTHPC-loaded micelles above the CAC, and the lipase-induced release of the photosensitizer makes these micelles very promising carriers for photodynamic therapy in vivo. KEY WORDS: drug release; enzymatic degradation; meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC); photodynamic therapy (PDT); polymeric micelles

V-Shaped SmC* switching FLC compounds

Chiral aryl esters of 4-alkyl-3-chlorobiphenyl-4'-carboxylic and 4(6-aIky1cyc1ohex-2-enonoy1-3)benzoic acids have been synthesized. The phase transition temperatures and V-shaped SmC* switching ofthe prepared compounds are discussed

Unique chiral compounds as part of mixtures with optimized properties for different types of FLCDs

The effect of the molecular structure of liquid crystals on their mesomorphic and physico-chemical properties is studied. The unique compounds described in this work contain three or four phenyl rings. Modifications of the molecules via bridge fragments or via lateral substituents allowed the preparation and optimization of specific mixtures for different purposes. The formation of defect-free layers in ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) stable against various mechanical or temperature deformations is studied. The impact of viscous-elastic and chiral properties on the formation of smectic C* layers were established. A new electro-optic effect based on chiral-nematic mixtures for creating high-speed devices with switching time less than 1 ms was developed. All the boundary conditions necessary for the realization of this effect were experimentally investigated

Shock-Free Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Compositions: Optimized Chiral Compounds and Their Mixing Ratio with Non-Chiral Components

The best chiral compounds for the design of shock-free ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions with a wide temperature range of the chiral smectic C phase have been developed. For these experiments about 70 different 4-ring chiral compounds were synthesized and investigated. The influence of the chiral fragment, the mixing ratio between chiral and non-chiral molecules, and the pretilt angle of the alignment materials on the quality and on the mechanical stability of the orientation were investigated. New optimized ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions for the fabrication of shock-free ferroelectric liquid crystal displays with high contrast ratio are presented