Sigma-Aldrich is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with Nanoco Technologies, Ltd., a nano-materials company based in Manchester, UK, to distribute luminescent quantum dot nanocrystals globally. Under the terms of the agreement, Sigma-Aldrich will distribute research quantities (less than 1 g) of seven core-shell semiconductor quantum dots through the Aldrich(R) Materials Science initiative of its Research Specialties business. The nanocrystals will be marketed and distributed under the brand name Lumidots(TM).
Lumidot Quantum Dot nanocrystals
Quantum dots (QDs) are nanometer-sized semiconductor nanoparticles that emit bright, near-monochromatic light (luminesce) under light or electrical stimulation. Emission color can be tuned by choosing nanocrystal size, making QDs ideal luminophors for cutting-edge applications including ultra-thin displays, solid-state lighting, anti-counterfeit protection, and next-generation solar cells. Nanoco developed unique manufacturing methods for making multi-gram quantities of QDs reproducibly and with precise control of size, structure, and luminescence characteristics. The new core-shell Lumidots distributed by Sigma-Aldrich have luminescence colors spanning the entire visible spectrum, in addition to good stability and batch-to-batch consistency essential for research into high-technology applications.
"The new Lumidots are an important addition to our line of nanomaterials products, providing researchers around the world reliable access to high-quality quantum dot nanocrystals. Using these materials, scientists and engineers can focus on developing applications that take advantage of the unique properties of quantum dots. This fits with the main goal of Aldrich Materials Science -- we focus on materials so that our customers can focus on results," said Dr. Ilya Koltover, Product Manager, Aldrich Materials Science.
"This is great for both companies and for global research," said Michael Edelman, CEO of Nanoco Technologies. "It brings Nanoco's manufacturing expertise together with the excellent distribution network operated by Sigma-Aldrich. We are excited to be working with them to extend the range of nanomaterials available to the worldwide research market. We plan to expand this collaboration by offering new ranges of quantum dots later in 2008."
Nanoco will continue to offer larger quantities of quantum dots to partners who move beyond research to development of commercial QD applications.