Quantum Dots Enjoy the Glow of a Bright Future

Quantum Dots Enjoy the Glow of a Bright Future
Quantum Dot’s Flexability Make them Useful in a Number of Areas

Many people have never heard of quantum dots, but they are an increasingly important part of nanotechnology. Quantum dots nanotechnology are approximately 5.5 to 6.5 nanometers in diameter. Nanometers are very small; equivalent to 1/1,000,000,000th of a meter. Though small, quantum dots are making a big difference in a number of areas including medicine, lighting, and solar energy.

Quantum Dots in Medical Technology

Quantum dots are being used in medical technology to track and monitor cell changes. Quantum dots are much brighter and more stable then their predecessors in medical technology, which were organic dyes. These benefits allow for much clearer results, and longer observation periods. Quantum dots are currently being used to track the development of cancer cells, so there’s a chance that the use of quantum dots in medicine could lead to better cancer treatments in the future.

Quantum Dots in the Home

Another use of quantum dots is in LED lights. LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode, and it is the newest technology in lights. Compact fluorescent bulbs are already more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and LED lights last four times as long and use half the energy of compact fluorescent bulbs. The biggest problem with LED lights is that they are new still a new technology, so the cost per bulb is still high. As with all new technologies, price goes down over time. This means that eventually LED lights will replace compact fluorescent bulbs as the light bulb of choice.

Quantum Dots in Solar Technology

A hot topic currently is solar energy, and quantum dots are being used in solar energy research as well. Much like how quantum dots are being used to improve LED lights, quantum dots are being used to improve solar receptors. Currently the theoretical limit for energy conversion is 33%, while using quantum dots increases the efficiency to approximately 60%. This is due to quantum dots’ ability to absorb and emit radiation. If the integration of quantum dots into solar receptors goes well it could be a major factor in solar panels becoming more mainstream and practical.

Keep an Eye Out for Quantum Dots in the Future

As you can see, there are a number of industries who need to buy quantum dots. Quantum dots are an exciting and emerging new technology which a great deal of potential. Keep and eye out in the future for some of the advancements mentioned here involving quantum dots.

Silicon Chemical Corporation (SCC) Donates to Portland State University (PSU) for Solar Energy Research

Silicon Chemical Corporation (SCC) has donated funds toward developing a public-private partnership with Portland State University (PSU) in support of Dr. Carl Wamser’s research in the development of novel chemical processes for solar energy. SCC is particularly excited about the research PSU is conducting on new materials for solar energy production and the effects this research will have on our environment and life styles. Support of PSU’s research creates an ideal partnership for SCC as its new solar energy division, “SCC Solar” moves forward with implementation of advanced solar technologies.

“I appreciate very much the freedom and flexibility that you implied in your donation. I am still thinking of all the ways that these funds can be used to enrich the solar activities I do,” said Dr. Carl Wamser, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Portland State University.

SCC provides technology and equipment for the solar energy market, including the production of raw materials to produce high purity silicon and silane for the manufacture of single crystal and thin-film solar cells. SCC is also helping their clients to complete the value chain through the delivery and application of the client’s products in the USA by SCC Solar. As a company, SCC is focused on fully integrating the various phases of solar energy production to maximize raw material and energy efficiency while minimizing impact to the environment. SCC’s is a leader in the quest for zero emission discharge and a more sustainable production model for all aspects of solar energy.

“We’re grateful for your partnership in expanding resources for the sciences, one of the University’s leading priorities. Philanthropy like yours helps to provide a high quality research and teaching environment. Your contribution will show a strong return in the years ahead as Portland State scientists continue to create new knowledge and find groundbreaking ways to apply it to industry, improve the quality of lives and sustain our planet’s resources,” said Wim Wiewel, President of Portland State University.

“Collaboration with industry is an important component of our growth in research. I hope that you will find avenues for investigations and idea sharing with Carl and other scientists at PSU. Your gift to Dr. Wamser’s program will strengthen his ability to disseminate information about his work and lead to exploring a new area in solar research — the solar generation of fuel,” said Marvin A. Kaiser, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Portland State University.

“Our corporate goal is to develop and implement clean renewable solar energy while supporting the work being conducted locally that will provide valuable results for both Portland State University and SCC,” said Gary W. Phillips, president of Silicon Chemical Corporation. “We share a common vision for the future of solar energy.”

Portland State University’s ongoing solar activities include Carl Wamser’s lab, which works on organic solar cells based on conductive polymers. The long-term goal of his work is to produce inexpensive plastic films with solar activity (for either photovoltaic or solar-initiated chemistry). Funding from the National Science Foundation and others will power a project investigating the combination of green roofs and solar arrays; this is a collaborative project with Carl Wamser, David Sailor (Engineering), and Todd Rosenstiel (Biology). Also, three faculty members of the physics department carry out solar research on novel photovoltaic materials: Rolf Könenkamp (nanostructured semiconductors), Raj Solanki (silicon nanowires), Jun Jiao (carbon nanotubes).

As an outreach program, the PSU Photovoltaic Test Facility has been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to establish a site for comparing various photovoltaic technologies. Up to 11 different 1 kW arrays will be deployed, with data sent to the internet. The Photovoltaic Test Facility will work with OMSI to use the data stream for a renewable energy exhibit. In addition, basic research projects have been funded by NSF, DOE, ONAMI, BEST, and the PSU Sustainability Initiative.

About SCC

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, USA, Silicon Chemical Corporation (SCC) provides process technology, equipment and professional services for the electronic and solar industries. SCC’s core technology is the production of the raw materials to produce high purity silicon and silane for the manufacturing of single crystal and thin-film solar cells. SCC is uniquely qualified in these fields with SCC staff having over 100 years of experience in process development, design, construction, and operation of silicon related process facilities. Key technology areas provided by SCC include trichlorosilane (TCS) and silane production and purification, effluent gas recovery (EGR), waste chlorosilane treatment and HCl recovery, energy conservation, mitigation of site emissions and wastes using leading edge environmental equipment and controls.

As the solar industry continues to grow worldwide, SCC will be at the forefront of technological innovations in partnership with outstanding academic institutions. With our SCC Solar division, SCC provides a bridge for our present and future clients to market their products in the USA, which is rapidly becoming the leading market for the solar industry.