Abstract— We have developed a process that enables one to conform polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal (PDLC) displays into a particular shape indefinitely. Planar PDLC displays are first fabricated between indium tin oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. This fully functional display can then be conformed to a particular shape by heating above the glass‐transition temperature of PET and then allowing it to cool down to room temperature. The display retains its shape and is fully functional after processing. We have created spiral‐and wave‐like samples and have demonstrated their operation after the conformal process. The stress is relieved in the substrate by conforming. Temperature effects on polymer substrates were investigated for two types of polymer films (PET/ITO substrates and a conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS/PET substrate) to analyze the effects of temperature on the resistance and mechanics of the films under an applied uniaxial strain. We have found a decrease in contrast of the PDLC after conforming, but surprisingly, a reduced threshold voltage and reduced hysterisis occurs.

We have developed an optical stack of holographically formed polymer dispersed liquid-crystal (H-PDLC) devices that is fully operational with nonpolarized light sources. The device consists of two H-PDLC transmission gratings separated by a passive polarization rotator that can output a diffracted s-polarized, p-polarized, or s- and p-polarized beam simultaneously.

We have developed a conformable‐polymer dispersed liquid crystal (C‐PDLC) by processing a PDLC material between conducting indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates above the glass transition temperature of the PET. After first fabricating a PDLC between ITO/PET substrates at room temperature, the display is then molded to conform to a particular template, heated above the glass transition temperature, and then allowed to cool back to room temperature where it is then released from its template. Using this process the PDLC display remains indefinitely conformed while retaining its optical functionality. We present a comprehensive study on the optical performance of these conformable displays, the processing steps necessary for fabrication, and the issues associated with the conducting substrate technology processed above the glass transition temperature.