Cadmium Free Quantum Dots (CFQD) by Nanoco Group PLC (at scale)

According to their website (graphics are posted there too):  "Nanoco leads the world in the research, development and large-scale manufacture of heavy-metal free quantum dots and semiconductor nanoparticles for use in displays, lighting, solar energy and bio-imaging."  

In short, Nanoco Group PLC makes quantum dots at scale, without heavy metals, that adjust and tune light.  Energy and light comes in, and can be tuned to emit the color you want...all by adjusting the length (think column) of the Cadmium Free Quantum Dots (CFQD).  

What does it do/what is it?  "CFQD® quantum dots are fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles typically between 10 to 100 atoms in diameter, which is about 1/1000th the width of a human hair.  When one of these particles is excited by an external light source, it absorbs the energy and re-emits the light in a different colour depending on the size of the particle. Therefore, by tuning the size of these particles, one is able to control the colour of light emitted to any colour in the spectrum."


What could that mean in quantum computing?  Not sure...except it is good to see other use-cases for commercial quantum materials, in this case lighting and displays.  It improves display and lighting performance and reduces energy consumption. 

Who does/did Nanoco work with?  Dow Chemical, Merck, and Wah Hong Industrial (as of 2016).  

Sources:  http://optics.org/news/7/8/2
http://www.nanocolighting.com/technology/

Other uses include making hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide, solar cells, treating antibiotic and treatment resistant strains of infections, spintronic semiconductor devices (qubit), humidity and pressure sensors, imaging of cancer tumors, miniature lasers for high speed data transfer, and as listed above, TV or computer displays.   

Hawk's Perch - other uses