Liquid crystals (LCs) in flexible cell were aligned on polyimide (PI) surface treated by a paperlike plasma beam. The beam had energy of 450 eV and incident angle of 70 with respect to normal flexible indium-zinc oxide-coated substrate. The pretilt angle and anchoring energy of LCs on plasma-aligned PI surface were almost identical to the angle and energy of the rubbing PI. However, optical performance of the plasma-aligned cell was superior to the rubbing cell under various bending conditions. Furthermore, such noncontact alignment technology is suitable for large area and roll-to-roll fabrication of flexible LC films. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.