BOSTON, MA -- Nanosys and the Optical Systems Division of 3M are collaborating to commercialize Nanosys’ Quantum Dot Enhancement Film color LCD technology, which could result in delivering OLED performance to LCDs, at a fraction of the cost and with better energy efficiency.
3M and Nanosys will work together to commercialize Nanosys' QDEF technology, a drop-in film that LCD manufacturers can integrate with existing production processes. It utilizes the light emitting properties of quantum dots to create a backlight for LCDs.
"Combining the world class-technology and materials expertise of Nanosys with the engineering, design and supply chain capabilities of 3M will unlock a powerful new color viewing experience for consumers," said Jim Bauman, Vice President of the Optical Systems Division at 3M, here at the Society for Information Display venue.
Current LCDs are limited to displaying 35 percent or less of the visible color spectrum.
"We are working together to improve an area of display performance that has been largely neglected for the last decade," said Jason Hartlove, President and CEO of Nanosys. "Working together with 3M and utilizing their outstanding design and supply chain capabilities will allow our QDEF technology to be widely deployed across all product segments and will ensure availability to all customers."
A quantum dot emits light at a very precise wavelength. The ability to control the spectral output of a quantum dot allows QDEF to create an ideal white backlight specifically designed for LCDs. Trillions of these quantum dots are packaged into a thin film that fits inside an LCD backlight unit. QDEF replaces a similar film already found inside LCD backlights, which means that adding QDEF to manufacturing processes requires no new equipment or process changes for the LCD manufacturer.
The Society of Information Display awarded Nanosys with the 2012 Display Industry Awards Gold Display Component of the Year for its QDEF.
The Display Industry Awards recognize innovative display products, components, and applications that hold the most promise for shaping the future of the global display industry. The Display Industry Awards are awarded each year with Gold and Silver honors in three categories: Display of the Year, Display Application of the Year, and Display Component of the Year.
“We commend the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and to helping shape the future of display performance and solutions,” noted Robert Melcher, SID’s Display Industry Awards Committee Chairman.