09.12.19
The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and KETI have started working together on the development of printed quantum dot color filters microLEDs in the new research project "CoCoMe."
Quantum dots are nanocrystals with optical, magnetic or electronic properties. These nanocrystals have a diameter of about 1-10 nm. The small diameter causes so-called quantum effects to occur in the crystals. There is a whole class of materials, mostly semiconductor materials, that can be used to make quantum dots (QDs). By adjusting the size of a QD, its properties can be adjusted specifically for the desired application. As a result, the applications may vary widely.
Prof. Dr. Alexander Böker, director of the Fraunhofer IAP, and Dr. Youngsam Kim, president of KETI, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sept. 5, 2019, to continue the collaboration.
At the same time, the partners are launching the joint project "Development of materials and process technology for highly luminance microdisplays" for the development of printed QD-based color filters for displays. The abbreviation "CoCoMe" stands for Color Converting microLEDs.
In this research project, scientists from Fraunhofer IAP and KETI will develop QD color filters. Conventional color filters suffer from high light loss and relatively low color purity. Color filters based on quantum dots are highly efficient because they do not filter light but absorb it with significantly lower losses and release it again in high purity. The project aims to develop QD-based color filters for microLEDs and, also, to realize a new technology of printing these color filters.
"This project gives us the opportunity to work on the latest topics in display research, the microLEDs," said Dr. Armin Wedel, head of Research at the Fraunhofer IAP. "In cooperation with the KETI, which has existed for more than 10 years, we can thus play a leading role in the development of the next generation of displays."
At the Fraunhofer IAP, the QD experts are working closely with the printing specialists for this project. The research team is developing the quantum dots for the red and green color filters as well as the printing technologies for structured and precise plotting of the quantum dots on the microLEDs.
"At the Fraunhofer IAP, we combine many of the competencies of polymer research under one roof," said Prof. Böker, institute director. "We develop new functional materials for a wide variety of organic electronics applications, as well as technologies for efficient processing using printing technologies. We are delighted that we are able to continue our long-term cooperation with the KETI by signing the MoU and the new research project 'CoCoMe,' and that we can profitably use our expertise for display development."
The Fraunhofer IAP and the KETI have been working together for 10 years - among other things, the partners are developing cadmium-free QDs, which have become indispensable in display manufacturing due to EU regulations (RoHS directive).
The project "CoCoMe" has a term of 5 years. After three years, the project will be evaluated by both cooperation partners and the further course of the project will be determined.
Quantum dots are nanocrystals with optical, magnetic or electronic properties. These nanocrystals have a diameter of about 1-10 nm. The small diameter causes so-called quantum effects to occur in the crystals. There is a whole class of materials, mostly semiconductor materials, that can be used to make quantum dots (QDs). By adjusting the size of a QD, its properties can be adjusted specifically for the desired application. As a result, the applications may vary widely.
Prof. Dr. Alexander Böker, director of the Fraunhofer IAP, and Dr. Youngsam Kim, president of KETI, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sept. 5, 2019, to continue the collaboration.
At the same time, the partners are launching the joint project "Development of materials and process technology for highly luminance microdisplays" for the development of printed QD-based color filters for displays. The abbreviation "CoCoMe" stands for Color Converting microLEDs.
In this research project, scientists from Fraunhofer IAP and KETI will develop QD color filters. Conventional color filters suffer from high light loss and relatively low color purity. Color filters based on quantum dots are highly efficient because they do not filter light but absorb it with significantly lower losses and release it again in high purity. The project aims to develop QD-based color filters for microLEDs and, also, to realize a new technology of printing these color filters.
"This project gives us the opportunity to work on the latest topics in display research, the microLEDs," said Dr. Armin Wedel, head of Research at the Fraunhofer IAP. "In cooperation with the KETI, which has existed for more than 10 years, we can thus play a leading role in the development of the next generation of displays."
At the Fraunhofer IAP, the QD experts are working closely with the printing specialists for this project. The research team is developing the quantum dots for the red and green color filters as well as the printing technologies for structured and precise plotting of the quantum dots on the microLEDs.
"At the Fraunhofer IAP, we combine many of the competencies of polymer research under one roof," said Prof. Böker, institute director. "We develop new functional materials for a wide variety of organic electronics applications, as well as technologies for efficient processing using printing technologies. We are delighted that we are able to continue our long-term cooperation with the KETI by signing the MoU and the new research project 'CoCoMe,' and that we can profitably use our expertise for display development."
The Fraunhofer IAP and the KETI have been working together for 10 years - among other things, the partners are developing cadmium-free QDs, which have become indispensable in display manufacturing due to EU regulations (RoHS directive).
The project "CoCoMe" has a term of 5 years. After three years, the project will be evaluated by both cooperation partners and the further course of the project will be determined.
