Researchers at the Oregon State University have studied new manufacturing technology for "quantum dots". The results of their study may be applied to a new generation of LED lighting able to produce a more user-friendly white light. The LED lights manufactured using the quantum dots technology while also use less toxic materials. This low-cost manufacturing process will take advantage of simple microwave heating. The study was published in the Journal of Nanoparticle Research.
The environmental, cost, and performance improvements could lead to solid state lighting systems that will help the nation cut its lighting bill nearly in half, according to the researchers participating in this study. These new LED lights will produce a more user-friendly light that consumers will really like and, compared to the cost of incandescent and fluorescent lighting, they will be much cheaper, researchers said.
The same technology could also be widely incorporated into improved computer screens, lighting displays, television sets, smartphones and various other systems. The research paper has been published in the Journal of Nanoparticle Research. The key technological differences over the present technology of LED manufacturing include using of both a "continuous flow" chemical reactor and microwave heating technology.
The continuous flow system is energy efficient, cheap, fast and will cut manufacturing cost while the microwave heating technology will allow precise control of heat needed during the process. The microwave approach will make use of nanoparticles that are exactly the right composition, shape, and size.
According to Greg Herman, an associate professor and chemical engineer in the OSU College of Engineering, quantum dots can be applied to a variety of technologies and products. However, the most important for mass consumer use is manufacturing improved LED lighting.
Herman added that their team made a breakthrough that can finally allow producing energy efficient, low cost LED lighting systems with the soft quality of white light that is more eye-friendly and consumers will really like. At the same time, the scientist explained further, this technology will dramatically reduce materials waste and use nontoxic materials. The improvements will translate to environmental protection and lower cost.
According to Herman, some of the best existing LED lighting today uses cadmium, which is highly toxic. The system currently being developed at OSU is based on copper indium diselenide, which is not only providing high energy efficiency, but it is also a much more benign material.
