LEDs & Light Sources
Cadmium-Free Quantum Dot Technology in LED Lighting
Nanoco and its partner Marl International, a pioneer of the LED lighting industry, demonstrated four product lines based on Nanoco’s CFQD® quantum dot film technology last week at LuxLive. The CFQD® Quantum Dot technology as a revolutionary solution for high-end lighting applications in retail and…
Published by LED professional ·
Quantum dots are fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles typically between 10 to 100 atoms in diameter, which is about 1/1000th the width of a human hair.
When one of these particles is excited by an external light source, it absorbs the energy and re-emits the light in a different colour depending on the size of the particle. Therefore, by tuning the size of these particles, one is able to control the colour of light emitted to any colour in the spectrum.
Quantum dots are energy efficient, bright and versatile, making it a true platform technology with applications spanning from LCD displays, lighting to biomedical applications. Moreover, Nanoco’s innovative technology allows for the manufacture of highly efficient quantum dots that are completely cadmium and heavy-metal free.
Nanoco Group plc announced also it has signed a further follow-on joint development agreement with Osram, one of the world’s largest lighting companies, in connection with the use of Nanoco cadmium-free quantum dots in lighting.
Nanoco’s cadmium-free quantum dot technology has the potential to transform LEDs so that they more efficiently produce bright, warm light with the ability to accurately reproduce colors.
“We’re delighted to sign this latest joint development agreement with Osram and to continue this exciting work focused on creating LEDs with substantially improved color performance,” said Michael Edelman, CEO, Nanoco. “Lighting is a core target market for our cadmium-free quantum dot technology.”
Nanoco’s joint agreement with Osram has been in place since 2011 with the objective of delivering LED lighting with superior performance characteristics. Much of the technical work to date has focused on encapsulating Nanoco’s cadmium-free quantum dots so they can withstand the operating conditions associated with LEDs. This latest, 12-month agreement with Osram will further that product development.
Key Properties of Quantum Dots
- Very efficient materials
- Narrow FWHMs (30nm-55nm typical)
- No specific excitation source necessary
- 100% RoHS compliant and Cadmium-free
- Solution processing
- Easy tuneable emission peak simply by controlling particle size
- Not easily saturated by excitation
- Wide range of wavelengths available
Applications
- Restaurant & Hospitality
- Retail
- Museums & Art Galleries
- Hospitals & Schools
