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Quantum Materials Corporation

Quantum Materials Corporation

Synthesis and Mass-Production of Highly Functionalized Colloidal Tetrapod Quantum Dots

Quantum Materials Corporation (QMC) is now commercializing a low cost quantum dot technology of a superior quality and characteristics. This revolutionary new quantum dot production technique, developed by Dr. Michael S. Wong and colleagues of William Marsh Rice University, Houston, TX., has been acquired under an exclusive, world-wide license. Our new synthesis method is mass producible using continuous flow technology processes developed in conjunction with a leading continuous flow microreactor technology. QMC's research and development group was instrumental in developing the new scaling-up process.

We are now implementing one or more QMC owned mass production lines with the design of each pilot line to scale from the initial kilogram+ output of the line at least by an order of magnitude to 100 kilograms per day per microreactor in the second half of 2011. To put this in perspective, less than one month's quantum dot production at 100kg/day would equal the display industry's total consumption of quantum dots in 2010. The production lines can be replicated as necessary to increase output capacity as needed.

Continuous flow microreactors manufacture the highly desirable CdSe tetrapod quantum dots at a small fraction of the cost compared to competing suppliers. Being able to supply large scale quantities with superior characteristics is a 'disruptive game changer' enabling quantum dot projects ready for commercialization to be brought to fruition today, years earlier than was thought possible. QMC Tetrapod Quantum Dots address a tremendous need in a variety of industries including semiconductor electronics, printed electronics, and medical diagnostic and biomedical applications. While QMC expects CdSe tetrapods to be our flagship product, our technologies are capable of producing a range of other inorganic hybrid tetrapods and other shapes for specific purposes in niche industries and to third party developers of quantum dot products.

Mass-Production of Thin-Film PV Quantum Dot Solar Cells

QMC's subsidiary Solterra Renewable Technologies has the parallel objective of revolutionizing the solar cell industry by being the first solar cell maufacturer to be able to offer a solar electricity solution that competes on a completely non-subsidized basis with the price of retail electricity in key markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Solterra's primary focus will be to combine QMC's CdSe Tetrapod Semiconductor Quantum Dots with our proprietary Roll to Roll quantum dot printing processes. Quantum Dot printed solar cells are very cost-effective (since material is only deposited in the required areas) and can be performed with fewer steps at lower temperatures suitable for flexible plastic substrates. Continuous R2R processes can produce 1 gigawatt of solar cells per year running at the relatively modest speed of 100 meters per minute for one 8 hour shift. Depending upon project requirements, an additional 2-3 work shifts plus scale-up to 600 meters/minute are well within possibilities. The economies of scale from a single production line operating at high output are perfectly suited to quickly supplying large solar farms. Clear LCOE advantages over CSP and silicon panel technologies can be readily ascertained.

Mass-Production of Printed Electronics

While Solterra will be dedicated to R2R Solar Cell Printing, QMC will adapt the same R2R quantum dot printing presses for printed electronics via high speed silk screen process, rotogravure or flexography. Electronic devices and circuits can be made by printing solution-based materials onto flexible substrates in layers with different functions and with high precision. Possible devices might be photovoltaic cells, an emissive or reflective display, a battery or any combination of electronic components. Materials and manufacturing costs become lower and high customization becomes feasible. Printed quantum dot electronics will create new applications that are lightweight, robust and with production costs suitable for disposable electronics.

Quantum Materials Corporation
Texas State University
STAR Park
3055 Hunter Road
San Marcos, Texas
78666
USA
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http://www.qmcdots.com

Type: 
Industry