Innovative Quantum Dot material technology for stunning colours and energy efficiency in QLED televisions

Project Information

Perovskite-QDD

Grant agreement ID: 858089

DOI

10.3030/858089

Project closed

EC signature date 24 May 2019

Start date 1 May 2019

End date 31 December 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 2 617 393,75

EU contribution

€ 1 832 175,63

Coordinated by

AVANTAMA AG
Switzerland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Perovskite-QDD (Innovative Quantum Dot material technology for stunning colours and energy efficiency in QLED televisions)

Reporting period: 2020-03-01 to 2020-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

As with all new technologies taking up incumbent status, the advent of LCD has seen organisations continually look for ways to improve colour performance while retaining optimum energy conservation and cost of production in the process. The next step in this process was to produce organic-LED (OLED) screens that improved colour balance, contrast, and energy efficiency by removing the need for a separate backlight in the screen.

Quantum dot (QD) enhanced TVs (also referred to as Quantum-LED, or QLED TVs) have been deemed the leading technology when it comes to colour performance, and energy efficiency, but have come across some significant stumbling blocks preventing a larger positive impact on the market landscape. Cadmium, using as a standard material in TV production for the past, has been listed as a restricted substance in the European Area and as such are no longer suitable for QLED TVs. Although they perform at significantly better colour performance levels than indium-based QDs, the use of cadmium in EEE is restricted by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances. The other competing technology, Indium, have been recorded with lower quantum yields leading to more energy used and lower quality and durability in TVs.

The SME Instrument project has allowed Avantama to optimise its proprietary production processes to achieve a robust QD technology that meets the high standards of Quantum Yield (QY), with minimal Full Width Half Measure (FWHM), at lower production costs. Avantama's QDs thus meet the market requirements of being the most powerful colour performances ever recorded on tests, regulatory compliant, and cost-effective in production.

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

Avantama has developed their synthesis process on a production scale, validated by achieving key metrics such as quantum yield, emission wavelength, synthesis yield. After being transferred to production scale, the samples underwent reliability testing in order to validate that the new product was functional for a long duration of time (1000 hrs). By tweaking the formulation of the film covering the samples, the company was able to successfully achieve target luminance drops and chromaticity changes.

Pilots with optical film manufacturer and display maker were conducted successfully. Film fabrication and reproducibility were tested, and all of the target parameters (QY, FWHM, wavelength, yield) proved to be better on production scale than on R&D scale.

Following these results, reproducibility specifications for finalised commercial product have been defined. New equipment has been purchased, installed, qualified and tested in-house, making Avantama ready for mass-scale production.

Achievements of the customer pilots and main results of the project have been disseminated through online communication tools and events. Relevant new patents have been filed.

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)

Avantama's solution brings a multitude of impacts to society and individuals. Firstly, the product has a quantum yield of nearly 100%, meaning that nearly all of the incoming light is transferred therefore minimizing energy losses and increasing efficiency of the system. The Perovskite solution also is extremely affordable, coming it around 10 euros per square meter. This allows for savings across the value chain and potential customer base. Finally, and most importantly, the solution is Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive compliant, ensuring that the next generation in screen technology produces minimal toxic waste.

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