Business Description
Quantum dots are a platform technology with uses in a wide range of applications from life sciences through to optoelectronics dominated by solid state lighting, photovoltaics, and next generation displays. Quantum dot based applications have the ability to potentially offer significant benefits in performance and energy savings compared to those materials currently used in these industry sectors.
Of the range of potential applications for quantum dots Nanoco has focused initially on four application areas. These are solid state lighting, solar energy, life sciences and next generation displays.
A key challenge in the quantum dot field has been the ability to manufacture highly efficient quantum dots in significant commercial volumes. The Directors believe that to date, the quantum dot industry’s production has been limited to the production of milligram to single gram batches.
Nanoco’s technology directly addresses these key challenges. Firstly, Nanoco has developed and patented core technology based on methods for producing highly efficient quantum dots that are tuneable to a specific colour emission. Secondly, Nanoco has developed scalable processes for producing quantum dots.
This technology enables the control of nanoparticle growth thereby allowing the production of larger quantities of quantum dots. The production technology is currently being scaled up from 50 gram batches towards kilogram batches and greater to meet the forecast market demand.
Nanoco has also developed a number of other nanomaterials, methods to improve the performance of quantum dots, additional production methods and the incorporation of the resultant nanomaterials into commercial applications.
Nanoco’s business strategy is to work in partnership with quantum dot application developers. These application developers tend to be large global technology companies working to incorporate quantum dots into a specific end use application. Examples of these applications include quantum dot containing LEDs, displays and solar cells. Nanoco has been successful in signing development contracts as well as establishing distribution channels with multinational companies to supply Nanoco materials. The Directors believe that Nanoco is now well placed to become a successful quantum dot partner of choice for application developers globally.