Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SWIRL (Short-wave Infrared Light emitters based on Colloidal Quantum Dot Technology)
Período documentado: 2022-09-01 hasta 2024-02-29
The goal of the project has been to develop a low-cost high performance SWIR light emitting technology leveraging the unique properties of colloidal quantum dots, particularly their size-tuneable bandgap, their promising optoelectronic properties and the scalable and low-cost manufacturing process that is also compatible for integration with CMOS electronics. The project aimed to develop two light emitting configurations: one on compact electrically driven QD LEDs emitting in the SWIR with high efficiency, suitable for applications that do not demand high optical powers and a QD thin film SWIR light emitter based on downconverting technology, where the QDs act as nanophosphors absorbing visible or near infrared emission by GaAs-based LEDs and emitting in the SWIR avoiding the use of InP epitaxial technology. This technology was aimed for applications requiring high optical power outputs such as automotive, remote sensing, and in-line quality control and material sorting industrial applications.
We have developed a novel QD ink technology that yields quantum dots with very high optoelectronic properties, improved thermal stability and enables scalable high-volume manufacturing using single-step deposition methods. Those inks have then been used in QD LED stack to achieve very high QE and radiance, QE in excess of 10% and radiance more than 35W/m2/Str. We have also developed developed a new QD downconverting technology based on emitter and matrix QDs embedded in suitable polymers to realize thin-film self-standing membranes. We then integrated those DC QD thin films with suitable mirrors and integrated them atop commercially available Visible and near infrared LED (and arrays). We have further constructed a prototype that delivers high optical power in the SWIR, exceeding 700 mW with an optical power-to-power efficiency of 7% and droop-free operation. We then used this prototype to demonstrate relevant use cases for automotive industry for vision through fog and distinction between water and ice, conditions that are relevant for ADAS car technology.
The automotive sector remained the focus of business development activities throughout the duration of the project. Indeed, the business case for the deployment of SWIR sources within the automotive sector was validated during the course of the project. Many automotive manufacturers are aiming to integrate SWIR sensing capabilities within their products (with a specific view to providing next generation advanced driver-assistance systems). Some of these applications will require light sources in the region of interest to be fully functional.
Moving forward, additional research and development will be required to bring this innovation to market. This should be conducted in collaboration with automotive manufacturers and/or tier 1 suppliers in order to ensure that industry requirements are fully met. At present, we are in the process of trying to establish a collaborative research project with a major automotive manufacturer to validate the technology for the applications under study. This would be fully financed by the partner. At present, the IPR situation is relatively strong and we feel confident that our existing patents would be sufficient to set up a licensing deal at the most appropriate point within the product development pathway. However, it remains possible that additional patentable results may emerge as the product becomes more mature.
Moving forward, additional research and development will be required to bring this innovation to market. This should be conducted in collaboration with automotive manufacturers and/or tier 1 suppliers in order to ensure that industry requirements are fully met. At present, we are in the process of trying to establish a collaborative research project with a major automotive manufacturer to validate the technology for the applications under study. This would be fully financed by the partner. At present, the IPR situation is relatively strong and we feel confident that our existing patents would be sufficient to set up a licensing deal at the most appropriate point within the product development pathway. However, it remains possible that additional patentable results may emerge as the product becomes more mature.