Process for manufacturing liquid crystal device substrates

A process for manufacturing a device for containing a liquid crystal material between two spaced electrodes, comprising:

• providing a substrate having a first surface;
• forming a plurality of spacers distributed on the substrate first surface by:
• applying to the first surface an admixture comprising:
• spacers, comprising polymeric spheres;
• a liquid comprising:
• one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, or propanol;
• and
• a dispersant, comprising an ester alcohol present in amounts between about 0.1% and 1.0% by weight;
• the spacers dispersed in the liquid while agitating a reservoir of the admixture with ultrasonics to maintain a uniform dispersion of the spacers in the liquid;
• spinning the substrate while applying the admixture;
• applying ultrasonics to the substrate while applying the admixture;
• and
• applying ultrasonics at the point of application of the admixture onto the first surface while applying the admixture;
• and
• evaporating, at ambient temperature, the liquid from the first surface, leaving a plurality of spacers distributed on the substrate first surface.

A process for manufacturing a device for containing a liquid crystal material between two spaced electrodes, comprising the steps of:

• A) providing a substrate having a first surface;
• B) forming a plurality of spacers distributed on the substrate first surface by;
• applying to the first surface an admixture comprising;
• spacers, comprising polystyrene divinylbenzene spheres;
• a liquid that does not contain any chlorofluorocarbon
• solvents, comprising;
• one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, or propanol;
• and
• a dispersant, comprising 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3 pentanediol, in an amount between about 0.1% and 1.0% by weight;
• the spacers dispersed in the liquid by agitating a reservoir containing the admixture with ultrasonic vibration to maintain a uniform dispersion of the spacers in the liquid;
• spinning the substrate while applying the admixture;
• applying ultrasonic vibration to the substrate while applying the admixture;
• and
• applying ultrasonic vibration at the point of application of the admixture onto the first surface while applying the admixture;
• and
• C) evaporating the liquid from the first surface at ambient temperature, thereby leaving a plurality of spacers distributed on the substrate first surface.