[Paper] Robust Flexible Liquid Crystal Devices Using Plastic Microtubes

In this paper, we proposed a new device structure using plastic microtubes to realize robust flexible liquid crystal (LC) devices. This device is formed by lining up large number of plastic microtubes, filled with LC, and placing transparent electrodes on the top and bottom. We fabricated the device using the tube bonding technique and demonstrated that a uniform initial alignment can be obtained in the microtubes. We also found that light modulation by vertical electric field drive is possible and that the display characteristics are not disturbed even when high external pressure is applied. This device leads to the realization of flexible LCDs with high durability.