Tetrapod quantum dot LEDs could lead to cheaper, better HDTVs soon
Until Sony started shipping its Triluminos HDTVs, the future of quantum dot (QD) technology in real-world products was mostly theoretical. Now, a company called Quantum Materials has started shipping its "Tetrapod Quantum Dots" material to an unnamed Asian electronics manufacturer, hinting at the possibility of other QD-enhanced products on the market. The company didn't mention any particular devices, but this tech has the potential to create displays that are brighter, more energy-efficient and have greater contrast than the competition.
This technology allows companies to create LED-backlit LCDs using a single material as opposed to several on traditional ones -- this supposedly keeps costs low, although the aforementioned Sony HDTVs were anything but cheap. Quantum Materials CEO Stephen Squires specifically claims his company's tetrapod technology works with fewer dots overall and better manufacturing tech to hit the lowest cost possible. Samsung and LG have shown off quantum dot tech in years past -- we'll eventually find out if either one is the anonymous manufacturer in line to mass produce it.
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SAN MARCOS, Texas, Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Quantum Materials Corp. (OTCQB:QTMM) announced today it has shipped Tetrapod Quantum Dots in sample quantities to a diversified leading Asian-based electronics manufacturer. Quantum Materials recently developed tetrapod quantum dots to meet the client's performance specifications.
Tetrapod Quantum Dots are an advanced nanoscale material that improves the performance and energy efficiency of very high-resolution computer, TV and smartphone displays. Quantum Materials' patent-pending continuous-flow technology produces uniform, narrow bandwidth tetrapod quantum dots with bright emission, less aggregation, purer colors (including high-luminous red) and precise color rendition.
Manufacturers are seeking to "print" tetrapod quantum dots onto backplane films in liquid crystal displays (LCD) for brighter images, larger screens and a wider gamut of colors to deliver a new visual experience in image technology. Thinner, lighter, brighter and less expensive QD-LED displays, including portable and flexible devices, will offer almost infinite contrast levels, deep black levels and high light output with no motion blur or field-of-view issues.
Stephen B. Squires, Quantum Materials Corp's Founder and CEO said, "Tetrapod Quantum Dots ultimately allow for lower display manufacturing costs due to their superior luminescence and much lower incidence of aggregation. Far fewer quantum dots are required to achieve the same level of performance. We believe this performance advantage coupled with our continuous-flow manufacturing technology will ensure the lowest quantum dot cost."
David C. Doderer, vice president of research and development for Quantum Materials wrote the feature article in the July/August 2013 issue of iSP Magazine entitled "Quantum Dots: The Future of Displays". The article details Quantum Materials' ability to reduce the cost of quantum dot creation while ensuring uniformity in quantities sufficient to meet high volume display-manufacturing needs.
Nanomarkets' August article "Key Quantum Dots Markets" highlighted "U.S.-based Quantum Materials Corporation" and the need for "cost-effective large-scale manufacturing techniques, which will be the key to the commercialization of cost-effective and high-performance QDs".
Susan Eustis of Wintergreen Research stated in their 2013 report, "Quantum Dot and Quantum Dot Display (QLED) -- Markets Reach $6.4 Billion by 2019" that "Once manufacturers learn to integrate higher efficiency luminescent quantum dots into their products, each vendor will need to follow or dramatically lose market share. This level of change brought by quantum dot and quantum dot displays (QLED) represents a new paradigm that will create new industries, products and jobs in science and industry."
