Simultaneous retardation compensation during bending of plastic film coated with a polymer layer of opposite birefringence.
We proposed a method of eliminating the bending-induced retardation of a plastic film by coating it with a polymer layer with an opposite birefringence. We coated a polystyrene (PS) or a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) layer on a polycarbonate (PC) plastic film. The bare PC film is composed of main-chain-type polymers and showed an increase in retardation with bending. The main-chains of the PC polymer are reoriented along the circular arc direction during bending, resulting in a positive birefringence. In contrast, the 11 wt. % PS-coated and the 19 wt. % PMMA-coated PC films showed minimal change in the retardation regardless of the radius of curvature. The PS and the PMMA polymers are of the side-chain-type, and the side-chains were aligned perpendicular to the circular arc direction during bending, resulting in a negative birefringence. Consequently, the bending-induced retardation of the PC film can be compensated by the PS or the PMMA layer during bending of the film. This method of compensating for the bending-induced retardation of the plastic film can be useful for flexible display applications.
Evaluation of curving characteristics of flexible liquid crystal displays fabricated using polycarbonate substrates
The improvement of the contrast ratio of flexible liquid crystal displays (LCDs) fabricated using plastic substrates in a curved state is an important problem to achieve high-quality flexible LCDs. In this study, we evaluated the distributions of in-plane phase retardation and slow axis direction of polycarbonate substrates and the effects of curvature on the electro-optical properties of flexible LCDs. As a result, we clarified that the polycarbonate substrates have high uniformity in the in-plane phase retardation and slow axis direction, and that the change in the phase retardation of the polycarbonate substrate caused by the curvature deformation has a small effect on the electro-optical characteristics of flexible LCDs. We successfully achieved a high contrast ratio of by fabricating the device using polycarbonate substrates. This result indicates that it is possible to realize high-quality images in flexible LCDs fabricated using polycarbonate substrates even in the curved state.
Arc flash hazard assessment in the mining industry
When it comes to electrical safety in the workplace, arc flash has become the most prominent topic over the past decade. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, including state chapters) is the only government body that recognizes NFPA-70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. However, OSHA does not have jurisdiction in mining operations. Electrical safety for the metal and nonmetal surface mining industry is covered by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 30, Part 56, Subpart K (Electricity). The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is responsible for enforcing electrical safety in mining operations. CFR Title 30 does not reference personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect electrical workers against arc flash hazards. This paper provides maintenance and safety personnel in surface Metal/Nonmetal mining operations with a step by step guide to implementing an electrical safety program that meets the requirements of MSHA, CFR Title 30 and NFPA-70E.