Hybrid aligned nematic liquid crystal smart glass with asymmetrical daylight controls

We have proposed a hybrid alignment nematic liquid crystal cell using a polymer‐stabilized technology. The cell shows a reverse mode scattering property and is transparent at any viewing angle in the off‐state. The cell turns to opaque in the on‐state and has an asymmetrical scattering property at incident angles. Applying the cell to a smart glass, the cell can selectively scatter a midday sunlight with a function of window blinds. In a polymerization process, an ultraviolet (UV) penetration depth is carefully considered, which results in a change of polymer morphology. The UV irradiation from a homogeneous alignment substrate side causes a polymer‐rich layer near the substrate and the stronger scattering in the on‐state.