Quantum Materials to quadruple lab space and add scientists

 
Green tetrapod quantum dots from Quantum Materials

Quantum Materials Corp from San Marcos (TX), USA, developer and manufacturer of tetrapod quantum dots for use in medical, display, solar energy and lighting applications, has announced the signage of an agreement with STAR Park, a Science, Technology and Advanced Research institution within Texas State University. The contract enables the company to quadruple its quantum dot production space once the new state-of-the-art laboratory and offices are completed in June 2015. The company is also recruiting to double its scientific staff effective January 2015.

“It is extremely gratifying that our work is meeting with industry acceptance from some of the most technologically advanced companies in the world,” said Quantum Materials founder and CEO Stephen Squires. “Our expansion demonstrates our commitment to meet the demands of next-generation television and display, solid-state lighting and solar energy manufacturers. We will bring to San Marcos top scientists and chemists to develop non-heavy metal tetrapod quantum dots and thick-shell technology to optimise them for each client’s purpose and to their true commercial potential.”

Recently, Samsung and LG Display evaluated the use of quantum dots to create the next-generation Ultra High Definition televisions rather than OLEDs. An industry analyst estimates that a 55in quantum dot TV would only cost consumers about 35% more than a current LCD TV, while an OLED TV could be five times more expensive. Quantum Materials’ patented and automated process for quantum dot manufacture is reported to be capable of further reducing manufacturer’s costs through economies of scale.

At this time, there are a few heavy metal (Cadmium-based) quantum dot televisions on the market. Quantum Materials acknowledges being aware of ecological concerns about Cadmium and is currently developing non-heavy metal (NHM) quantum dots for the UHD display market. Industry research is said to have shown NHM quantum dots to be environmentally friendly, but have yet to demonstrate that the materials offer levels of quality, quantity, reliability and cost-efficiency that justify industrial production. According to the company, these problems can be overcome with automated processes and top scientific personnel.

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