Quantum Dots: Technical Status and Market Prospects

Report Highlights

• From a total global market of but $10 million in 2004, revenue is projected to reach $500 million by 2009, at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of well over 100%.
• During the period, applications of QDs will become more pervasive, transcending electronics, optoelectronics, optics, energy and many other industrial sectors.
• Market and technological evolution will cut pricing from $3,000 to $10,000 per gram today to $250/kg.
• The first products, QD-bioconjugates, were launched in 2002. Impending QD-based product launches include flash-memory and solar roofing tiles, with OLED flexible displays, flexible electronics, white LED lighting and IT-photonics three to five years out.

INTRODUCTION

Among the many subsets of nanomaterials, quantum dots (QDs) are like no other. At dimensions typically below 10 nanometers, nanocrystalline (NC) semiconductors (SC), metals and magnetic materials all can exhibit extraordinary quantum confinement phenomenon. Basically, at these dimensions their physical size encroaches upon the fundamental quantum confinement dimensions of orbiting electrons that are uniquely prescribed by their atomic nucleus. Within the regime of these critical dimensions, QDs exhibit distinctly different behavior from their bulk form. This manifests itself in distinctly different optical, electronic and magnetic properties.

Current and future applications for QDs impact a broad range of industrial markets. These include, for example: biology and biomedicine, computing and memory, electronics and displays, optoelectronic devices such as LEDs, lighting and lasers, optical components used in telecommunications, and security applications such as covert identification tagging or biowarfare detection sensors.

This BCC study assesses the current state-of-the-art in synthesizing QDs, identifies current market players seeking to exploit QD behavior and evaluates actual or potential markets in terms of application, type and projected market revenues.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report contains:

• A thorough review of the materials used to make QDs
• An in-depth review of the early pioneers and champions in this field in industry, government and academic laboratories
• Detailed analyses of the current state-of-the art in synthesizing QDs
• Examination of possible applications within the next five years
• Discussion of technologies and factors influencing demand
• A review of the most active organizations, promising technical applications and developments
• Profiles of important manufacturers seeking to exploit QD behavior.

METHODOLOGY AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION

This report is primarily derived from the enormous amount of patent and technical literature relating to QDs disclosed in the public domain. In addition complementary information has also been drawn from the community, such as company investment news, company profiles, press releases and personal telephone interviews with selected companies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Oliver, the author of this report, has over 25 years of industrial R&D experience in surface and colloid science spanning a wide range of materials technology. Primarily working as a senior scientist at Xerox Research Centre of Canada he developed an invaluable understanding in advanced materials used in digital printing technologies such as xerography and ink jet printing. More recently through his involvements with the Alberta Research Council and several local universities, his interests have evolved into the realm of nanomaterials and microsystems device integration. He has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from McGill University, a BSc degree in Chemistry from Surrey University, U.K., and currently holds an Adjunct Professorship with the University of Alberta. His publications include more than 40 technical articles and 20 patents.