The macromolecular nature of cholesteric polymers predetermines the creation of the frozen cholesteric structure in solids, films, and coating. Our group has fabricated a polarizing filter material using the cholesteric phase with selective reflection based on the percentage of the chiral component. The resultant filters can span the visible through IR spectra and are good, for example, for laser light protection. They operate both in the reflective and transmissive mode. This feature opens up the wide perspective for obtaining spectrum filters and reflectors, circular dichroic optical filters, and color-controlled optical elements, regulated by electrical field.
All cholesteric polymers have good adhesion to glass, paper, and polymer supports.
During my M.Sc. project we suggested biokeratoprosthesis, where the peripheral part is made of donor tissue. The junstion of supporting and optical parts of biokeratoprosthesis is carried out according to a technology developed in Eye Microsurgery Complex, Moscow due to a formation of zone of interpenetrated network of synthetic polymer and biopolymer of donor tissue. The purpose of this investigation consisted in the study of clinic results of different biokeratoprostheses with a peripheral part either of native cornea, dura mater, or tanned xenopericard. The best results were obtained in the dura mater group, as there was no protrusion in the 3 years follow-up. S.S. Zakharova and J.R.C. van der Maarel, Supercoiled DNA phase transition and self-assembly.