Nano Elements Source, LLC uses bacteria to ferment high-quality, cadmium-free, quantum dot (QD) cores at greatly reduced production costs of traditional synthesis methods. Similar to the process of fermenting alcohol, sugar is fed to single-celled organisms. As these cells grow, they produce the QD cores extracellularly. We have licensed exclusive rights to this proprietary intellectual property.
POTENTIAL
The abundant, photoluminescent QD cores produced by this technology have a narrow size distribution that improves the optoelectronic properties, and makes the particles valuable for wide-ranging industrial applications including energy-efficient, large-area displays and printable electronics. Though QDs have an enormous market potential, implementing them broadly is currently insurmountable due to the extremely high cost of manufacturing. Our technology reduces the cost to a point where market expansion is feasible.
BENEFITS
In addition to producing higher quality QD cores, we can replace the current methods of producing nanoparticles. Nanofermentation reduces the required energy consumption by operating at 70℃ with no additional mechanical inputs. By comparison, current technologies for nanoparticle production include harmful chemicals, temperatures from 400-600℃ and mechanical grinding to reduce the size of the particles. These methods make the energy requirements, and thus cost, for producing the particles extremely high. The reduction in heat and processing through fermentation greatly improves the energy efficiency of producing QD cores.
