Advancing display technology with quantum dot inks
The display industry is constantly seeking technologies that deliver higher brightness, better colour quality, lower power consumption and more sustainable manufacturing. While LCD and OLED technologies have enabled significant advances, both face limitations. “LCD displays suffer from lower colour purity and energy losses associated with colour filters,” notes Kim De Nolf, founder and CEO of QustomDot(opens in new window) in Belgium. “OLED displays meanwhile can experience degradation and burn-in over time.”
Emerging microLED technology
Emerging microLED technology offers significant advantages in brightness, efficiency and lifetime. However, its manufacturing remains complex and expensive. In addition, using three colours on three separate wafers makes the process very complex. “The main cost of the microLED production process driver is the red LED,” explains De Nolf. “This is 20 % more expensive than the blue or green counterpart.” QustomDot’s idea was to replace the red microLED with a technology called quantum dot colour conversion (QD CC), enabling a blue microLED to be transformed into a red one. Furthermore, the company has pioneered a new generation of environmentally friendly QD inkjet inks to help unlock the commercial potential of microLED displays.
From the lab to three-litre reactors
The aim of the QustomDot project, supported by the European Innovation Council(opens in new window), was to help the company scale up its prototypes and achieve market readiness. “To achieve our objectives, we adopted a highly customer-centric approach from the outset,” adds De Nolf. “We began by supplying material samples to prospective customers across the display value chain and worked closely with them to understand their technical requirements, performance expectations and manufacturing constraints.” This feedback played a crucial role in guiding the company’s R&D efforts, allowing it to continuously refine and optimise QD materials through multiple development cycles. Another major focus was demonstrating scalability. Significant effort was invested in scaling up production processes and successfully transitioning from laboratory experiments to production in three-litre reactors. “We also actively engaged in business development activities, building relationships with key industry players and understanding regional market needs,” says De Nolf.
mNew generation of display technologies
A key outcome has been the successful development of patented cadmium-free QD inkjet inks. These QD inks can be integrated into displays by using inkjet printing, offering excellent colour conversion performance while meeting environmental and regulatory requirements. “By replacing the red microLED with blue LEDs and QD inkjet inks, we can help to accelerate the transition of microLED technology from a promising emerging innovation to a widely adopted reality,” says De Nolf. “As this technology reaches the market at scale, it has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of electronic devices while delivering a superior user experience.” The potential societal impact should also not be underestimated. “Displays are the primary interface through which people communicate, access information, learn, work, and stay connected,” remarks De Nolf. “We hope our work contributes to making these connections more accessible, more immersive, and more sustainable for future generations.” Then next phase, say De Nolf, will focus fully on the customer. “We are actively working with leading display companies worldwide to validate our product at their facilities,” she adds. “This will allow us to engage in pilot projects in the near future.”