quantum dots – TechConnect Briefs

Fabrication and Opto-Electronic Modeling of Down-Shifting Enhanced Photovoltaics

Montes-Bojorquez J.R., Villa-Bracamonte M.F., Ayon A.A., University of Texas at San Antonio, US

We report the fabrication and spectroscopic ellipsometry characterization of layer-by-layer assembled quantum dot multilayered films and their influence in the power conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells. The experimental performance of the resulting structure that [...]

From Flasks to Applications: Combinatorial Chemistry and Scale-up of High-Performance Complex Nanomaterials using Automated Synthesis

Hanson C.J., Jeffrey S., Hu Z., Htoon H., Hollingsworth J., Los Alamos National Laboratory, US

Semiconducting nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots (QDs), that emit light with near-unity quantum yield and that are extremely photostable are attractive options as down-conversion and direct electricity-to-light materials for a variety of applications, including [...]

Synthesis of highly efficient ZnAgInS-ZnInS/ZnS quantum dots and application for down-converted LEDs

Oh J.H., Lee K.N., Lee S., Kim S., Lee K.N., Lee S., Do Y.R., Kookmin University, KR

This study introduces innovative exothermic reaction assisted synthetic method for highly efficient green emitting ZnAgInS-ZnInS/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) by simply adding excess amounts of Zn precursors (Zinc acetate dehydrate, ZAD) and application for down-converted light [...]

Photodegradation of Organic Dyes using CdSTe Quantum Dots

Aviles-Martin C., Alamo-Nole L., Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, US

The inappropriate disposal of organic dyes used in a variety of industrial applications has become the contamination source of many water sources. This environmental problem has created the need for more effective and simple methods [...]

Nano-engineering Core/Shell Quantum Dots for Ultimate Utility in Light-emission Applications

Htoon H., Hollingsworth J.A., Los Alamos National Laboratory, US

Quantum-confinement effects have been used for decades to tune semiconductor opto-electronic properties. More recently, particle-size control as the primary means for properties control has been succeeded by nanoscale hetero-structuring. In this case, the nanosized particle [...]

Enhanced Kinetics of Enzymatic Nanosensors

Breger J., Walper S., Ancona M., Stewart M., Susumu K., Medintz I., Naval Research Laboratory, US

Nanosensors employing quantum dots (QDs) and functional moieties such as enzymes are promising for diagnostics and chemical/biological threat activity. Their small size permits cell penetration and their inherent photochemical properties are well-suited for rapid, optical [...]

Cellular Delivery Modalities for Semiconductor Quantum Dots: A Comparative Analysis

Field L.D., Naval Research Lab/ University of Maryland College Park, US

Fluorescence continues to be one of the most useful tools employed by life scientists to visualize cellular processes. Semiconductor nanocrystals or quantum dots (QDs) have been demonstrated to be superior alternatives to traditional fluorophores (dyes [...]

Sensing voltage change across a lipid bilayer

Chen Y., Makinen A.J., O’Shaughnessy T.J., Efros A.L., Huston A., Susumu K., Stewart M.H., Delehanty J.B., Naval Research Laboratory, US

Developing nanoscale probes capable of real-time sensing and imaging of neuronal action potentials would be useful in understanding neuronal communication. However, current available tools for imaging action potentials lack either the spatial or temporal sensitivity [...]

Layered Quantum Dot based Chromogenic Membranes for pH Sensing

Cole I.S., Trinchi A., Hardin S.G., CSIRO, AU

The development of inexpensive, flexible, robust pH sensors with an optical mode of operation remains a key challenge. Monitoring pH is a critical capability, and in most lab applications is carried out using the electrochemical [...]

Fluorescent-Plasmonic Quantum Dot-Gold based Nanohybrids: Basic Research for Next Generation Materials and Tracking of Biological Events

Merkl J.-P., Schmidtke C., Aldeek F., Safi M., Strelow C., Feld A., Kloust H., Heidari H., Bals S., Lange H., Mattoussi H., Weller H., University of Hamburg, DE

A novel hybrid nanoparticle is presented based on encapsulated fluorescent CdSe/ZnSe/ZnS core/shell/shell quantum dots (QDs) with zwitterionic capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This hybrid is fully characterizes by variouse techniques including optical spectroscopy, (cryo) transmission electron [...]