This study demonstrates the orientation characteristics of liquid crystals (LCs) on fluorinated self-assembled monolayers (FSAMs) deposited using the gas phase method. The authors confirmed that the FSAMs were properly deposited on indium-doped tin oxide glass substrates using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Compared with conventional polyimide (PI) layers, the authors confirmed that the FSAM is an alternative to the conventional PI layer. Regardless of the positive and negative LC characteristics, the LC molecules were vertically aligned on the FSAMs, with hydrophobic properties. In addition, an LC cell using an FSAM showed faster response times than that with a conventional PI layer when the electro-optical characteristics were examined. Therefore, these results indicate that FSAMs are suitable for LC applications as homeotropic LC alignment layers.

There are test items for lithium-ion batteries in reliability testing for automobiles and motorcycles, but equivalent test items have not yet been established for mobility scooters (also known as electronic wheelchairs). To evaluate the lithium-ion battery pack or system mounted on a mobility scooter, it is necessary to test vibrations and mechanical shock while driving, independent of tests for the lithium-ion battery cells. In an effort to meet this need, test profiles were established for mobility scooter lithium-ion batteries by performing on-road driving tests and mechanical shock tests. The proposed test profiles were validated using robust statistics and proficiency statistics. The safety of the test profiles was tested in a nationally accredited testing laboratory. As a result, the lithium-ion battery mounted on the mobility scooter was found to have incurred no leakage, short circuit, burst, or explosion. The vibration and mechanical shock test profiles proposed in this study are expected to serve as basis data for establishing standards for mobility scooter safety and reliability.

We examine the electro-optic effects of a fluorinated self-assembled monolayer (FSAM) on polymeric light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Owing to the high electronegativity of fluorine atoms, which decreases the hole-injection barrier-height, the LEDs with FSAM as the hole-injection layer (HIL) have the highest current density. The current densities of the LEDs with FSAM, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), and without HIL were estimated to be approximately 1, 0.24, and 0.06 A/cm2 respectively at 10 V. During the operational lifetime of the PLEDs, the driving voltage with FSAM is suppressed owing to the ohmic contact of the FSAM-modified ITO.

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