Highly efficient, heavy metal-free color conversion ink technology for microLED applications

Project Information

QustomDot

Grant agreement ID: 101145322

DOI

10.3030/101145322

EC signature date 15 February 2024

Start date 1 March 2024

End date 31 August 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 3 571 281,25

EU contribution

€ 2 499 894,25

Coordinated by

QUSTOMDOT
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - QustomDot (Highly efficient, heavy metal-free color conversion ink technology for microLED applications)

Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The display industry is rapidly evolving, with microLED technology poised to become the next generation of displays. MicroLEDs offer numerous advantages over existing technologies, including higher pixel density, longer lifetimes, greater brightness, higher energy efficiency, and superior color gamuts. However, the widespread adoption of microLEDs has been hampered by several challenges, including the high cost and low performance of red microLEDs, complex driving electronics, and complex and expensive mass transfer.

Quantum dot color conversion (QDCC) technology has emerged as a promising solution to these challenges. QDs are semiconductor nanocrystals that can absorb blue or UV light and emit a pure, single color. This property makes them ideal for converting blue LEDs into red or green LEDs, which can significantly improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of microLED displays.

However, existing QD solutions have several drawbacks. Many contain toxic heavy metals, which are restricted by environmental regulations. Heavy metal-free alternatives often suffer from poor stability and performance. Additionally, display manufacturers lack the expertise to customize QD solutions for their specific applications and processes.

QustomDot has developed a groundbreaking heavy metal-free QD technology that addresses these challenges. Our InP-based QDs are not only environmentally friendly but also exhibit exceptional stability and optical properties. We offer customized QD ink formulations tailored to specific display applications and manufacturing processes. This unique approach enables display manufacturers to easily integrate our QD solutions into their products, unlocking the full potential of microLED technology.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

1. Refined Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy:

1.1 Strategic Shift:

Initially, we targeted the OLED market. However, limited market access due to the dominance of two major players necessitated a strategic shift. We are now focusing on the microLED market, which offers broader industry engagement, a stronger need for our QD solutions, and a developing ecosystem ripe for new materials and partnerships. Key drivers include Taiwan's national strategic investment in microLED, an increased potential customer base reducing reliance on a few dominant players, and a strong market pull driven by the need for innovative QD solutions.

1.2 Market Access & Commercial Progress:

We have established strong relationships within the microLED ecosystem, collaborating with key players across the value chain. We are leveraging Taiwan's national focus on microLED to drive adoption. Our technology supports diverse display applications, including smartwatches and large information panels. We are actively sampling our inks with key industry players, including Innolux, AUO, Coretronic, Playnitride, BOE, and Aledia. We have entered product qualification with at least one major customer.

1.3 Business Model Stages:

QD integration customization and product qualification with customers are ongoing. Demo-scale in-house production of QD inks for device prototyping is planned for 2025-2026. Pilot to volume production with production partners for volume sales is scheduled for 2026 and beyond.

2. Refined QD Product and Technology Offering:

We are focusing on sourcing best-in-class QDs with excellent optical properties and scalability. Our expertise lies in ligand exchange, making QDs compatible with inks for demanding integration. We formulate inks tailored to key customer specifications. We offer ligand-exchanged QDs for integration into other resins, such as photoresists. We are developing a range of ink formulations for various applications.

3. QD Product Roadmap Aligned with the Industry:

Gen0 sampling kits, consisting of 5-20 mL batches with minimal specifications to generate interest and intended for evaluation on R&D printers with efficiency below 35%, are currently being sampled. Gen1 demo kits, consisting of 20-80 mL batches with specifications and volume for demo manufacturing and efficiency above 35%, are in preparation for launch. Gen2 inks for pilot production, consisting of batches greater than 150 mL with specifications and volume for pilot production, representing a real commercial product with efficiency above 40%, are in development.

Current Status:

We are currently sampling Gen0 inks and preparing to launch Gen1. Significant progress is being made with key customers, notably Innolux, followed by AUO, Coretronic, Playnitride, BOE, Aledia, and others. We have also presented our results and roadmap at a number of industrial conferences in 2024, including SID Display Week 2024 (Exhibition Forum, San Jose, USA), Eurodisplay 2024 (Grenoble, FR), MicroLED-Connect (Eindhoven, NL), QD Industry Forum 2024 (Palm Springs, USA), and IDW 2024 (Sapporo, JP).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Key advancements beyond state of the art lie in surface modification routes for Cd-free QDs (patent pending on surface preparation) and ink formulation (patent close to submission). Inks developed are currently evaluated by the industry and are positively perceived by the customers.