Feb 24 2011
Electronics.ca Publications, the electronics industry market research and knowledge network, announces the availability of a new report entitled "Quantum Dots: Technologies and Global Markets".
Among the many subsets of nanomaterials, quantum dots (QDs) are like no other. At dimensions typically below 10 nanometers (nm), nanocrystalline (nc) semiconductors (SC), metals, and magnetic materials can all exhibit extraordinary quantum confinement phenomenon. At these dimensions, QDs exhibit distinctly different behavior from their bulk form, which manifests itself, for example, in distinctly different optical, electronic, and magnetic properties.
Today, scientists can precisely synthesize nanocrystalline materials at these critical dimensions and thereby systematically tune their quantum confining behavior. As a result, there is currently enormous interest in exploiting and capitalizing on the unique properties exhibited by QD materials. As a harbinger for future business developments, colloidal QD-bioconjugates are among the first wave of commercial product applications stimulating market interest. Primarily, these have quickly established a niche market in the life sciences and biomedical communities, where they provide unrivalled cellular imaging and therapeutic detection capabilities. Other promising prototype developments of SC QDs now on the commercial-horizon include: a new generation of Flash memory devices; nanomaterial enhancements for improving the performance of flexible organic light-emitting diodes (LEDs), as well as solid-state white-LED lighting; and a core technology used in flexible solar panel coatings.
With these impending commercial developments and their enormous business potential, this report provides a timely assessment of quantum dot materialsÑwhere they currently are, and where they might be in the foreseeable future. The primary objective of this report is threefold: (1) to assess the current state-of-the-art in synthesizing QDs; (2) to identify the current market players seeking to exploit QD behavior; and (3) to evaluate actual or potential markets in terms of application, type, and projected market revenues.
The anticipated exponential growth in demand is practically consistent with both the scalability and current production economics of several QD producers. Within the next five years these developments will result in colloidal QDs initially priced at around $10,000 per kilogram eventually falling to as low as only $250 per kilogram. In addition to more economic production processes, it is also expectedÑbased on the recent technical and business literatureÑthat improved reaction methods, green chemistry, and the use of less toxic semiconductor or other nanocrystalline QD materials, will emerge.
Current and future applications of 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 report probes in considerable depth the early pioneers and champions in this field both in industry, government, and academic laboratories. The most active organizations, promising technical applications, and developments realizable within the next 5 years, will all be highlighted.
This up-to-date technical assessment and business analysis should prove an especially valuable resource to individuals and organizations seeking more insight into the current status of QDs, their stand-alone capabilities within the spectrum of nanomaterials, and time-to-market commercial development. The reportÕs comprehensive technical and business assessment on the current status of the QD-based industry should prove informative to nanomaterials manufacturers, investors seeking near-term commercialization opportunities, technologists confronted with nanomaterial device integration issues, and companies specifically interested in exploiting QDs in biological, biomedical, electronics, energy, optics, optoelectronics, and security applications.
Based on a comprehensive technical and market assessment, this report reveals the onset of several impending QD-based product launches. The global market for QDs, which in 2010 is estimated to generate $67 million in revenues, is projected to grow over the next 5 years at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 58.3%, reaching almost $670 million by 2015, representing a tenfold increase. Following the initially modest revenues generated by standalone colloidal QDsÑprimarily serving the life sciences, academic, and other industrial research and development (R&D) communities within the next 2 years several significant product launches are expected with colloidal or in situ QD underpinnings. These will bolster market revenue considerably. The biggest growth sectors will be in optoelectronics, solar energy, optics, and electronics, adding to strong growth already established in the biomedical sector. Specific QDbased products include lasers, sensors, Flash memory, lighting and displays, secondand third-generation solar panels, security deterrents, and several enhancements to portable devices.
Source: http://www.electronics.ca/