Officials of the U.S. Display Consortium in San Jose, Calif., are hiring Elsicon Inc. of Wilmington, Del., to develop the technology, materials, and tools to create a liquid crystal alignment layer by other than mechanical rubbing means. This new technology would meet special application needs for alignment to improve process control on pre-tilt angles, emininate cleaning, and reduce cost of flat panel display ownership. Elsicon officials will set up a facility to develop and evaluate materials for alignment layers, and to define the conditions by which experts can produce and control alignment by exposure to UV light. - J.K.