Graphene Quantum Dots: Introduction and Market News - Page 5

UltraCharge, an Australian company based in Israel that aims to develop next-gen battery technology, has signed a cornerstone Joint Collaboration Agreement with Dotz Nano, in order to integrate graphene quantum dots (GQDs) in its anode technology for lithium-ion batteries. The agreement will see the two companies enter into a 3-month pilot cooperation program to develop longer-lasting, faster-charging and more dependable technology utilizing GQD’s.

UltraCharge and Dotz Nano intend to develop the next generation of nanoparticles producing inexpensive, non-toxic graphene quantum dots and at up to ten times the production yield compared to conventional alternatives. In addition, UltraCharge has agreed to place an initial order of a minimum of $150,000 USD worth of GQDs for use in LIB anodes, should the pilot program meet technical expectations. The initial order will be subject to UltraCharge receiving purchase orders of at least $1 million USD for their GQD-enriched anodes.

Dotz Nano will reportedly be delivering microscopic, anti-counterfeiting tags (possibly to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics), as part of the company’s first major order. Dotz Nano will receive $135,000 for an order of blue and green Graphene Quantum Dotz (GQDs) to be used for anti-counterfeit printing dyes.

Chief executive Moti Gross said the first major order to Asia would pave the way for greater recognition of the technology. The GQDs bound for the anti-counterfeiting markets are aimed at being used in printing dyes to several companies involved in current anti-counterfeiting mechanisms, several of which, in my opinion, are aimed at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he said.

Dotz Nano, a nano-technology company focusing on the development, manufacture, and commercialization of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), recently announced the signing of a non-binding and non-exclusive MoU with Colorplastic, a polymer compounder located in Switzerland for the implementation of GQDs into the polymer and surface modificant market. The GQDs would be used in automotive plastics and anti-counterfeiting/brand protection applications.

The MoU calls for a 6-month pilot project in which GQDs will be supplied by Dotz to Colorplastic for integration into their products for use in the polymers and surface treatment being commercialized by Colorplastic for use by OEMs. The scope of the pilot is to be defined by the parties, but is to cover the technological development and adaptation of GQDs to Colorplastic's products, including production runs for validating commercial scale. The pilot can be extended an additional 3-months by mutual agreement if needed.

Dotz Nano has announced the successful development of a process to tag fuel derivatives with graphene quantum dots (GQDs). The technology allows GQDs to be optimally added to fuel derivatives via a patent pending method so that the GQDs cannot be easily "laundered" or "washed out" from the fuel.

The new fuel application has been said to successfully withstand various testing procedures used in international bids for fuel taggants. This was achieved by working closely with two international anti-counterfeiting/brand protection companies. Dotz Nano has also submitted a patent application on the specific tagging of fuels with GQDs.

Dotz Nano, the Israel-based company established to commercialize a graphene quantum dot production process developed at Rice University's Tour Labs, has received firm commitments to raise $1.5 million via a placement of shares.

The placement was conducted to take advantage of cost sharing grant funding to access up to circa $2 million in grants over the next 12-18 months. The initial grant was awarded to Dotz by the U.S.-Israel Binational Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation. Additional grant funding is directed from the Office of the Chief Scientist of Israel and from the Ministry of Economy.

Researchers from the ICFO have developed the first graphene-QDs-CMOS integrated camera, capable of imaging visible and infrared light at the same time. The camera may be useful for many applications like night vision, food inspection, fire control, vision under extreme weather conditions, and more.

The imaging system is said to be based on the first monolithic integration of graphene and quantum dot photodetectors, with a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductors) read-out integrated circuit. The implementation of such a platform in applications other than microcircuits and visible light cameras has been impeded by the difficulty to combine semiconductors other than silicon with CMOS, an obstacle that has been overcome in this work.

Researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University in China have created a composite of graphene oxide and perovskite quantum dots that can reduce CO₂ when stimulated with light. It is referred to as the first known example of artificial photosynthesis based on perovskite quantum dots and GO.

The team prepared quantum dots semiconductor nanoparticles of a highly stable cesiumlead halide perovskite, as well as a composite material made of these quantum dots and graphene oxide. Both materials showed an efficient absorption of visible light and strong luminescence. The team used these products to achieve a fundamental step in artificial photosynthesis the reduction of CO2. To simulate sunlight, they used a xenon lamp with an appropriate filter.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) have used mango leaves to synthesize fluorescent graphene quantum dots, and integrated those into probes for bioimaging and intracellular temperature sensing.

The unique quantum dots are reportedly biocompatible, have excellent photostability and show no cellular toxicity. To make them, the team cut mango leaves and froze them using liquid nitrogen. The frozen leaves were crushed into powder and dipped in alcohol. The extract was centrifuged and the supernatant evaporated in an evaporator and then heated in a microwave for five minutes to get a fine powder.

Prof. James Tour's research lab in Rice University is one of the leading graphene research groups in the world, with several key technologies first discovered and developed there. Professor Tour is involved with several application areas - from de-icing coating to energy storage and quantum dots production. Prof. Tour was kind enough to share his time and update us on the latest research and commercialization efforts at his lab.

The Tour group is now commercializing two of its key technologies. First up is the laser-induced graphene (or LiG), which was reported first in 2014. This is a process in which graphene is formed on a flexible polyimide film using a room-temperature laser-based process. It is possible to pattern this graphene to create devices and as it is formed on a flexible film this easily enables flexible electronics applications.

Graphene quantum dots are getting a lot of attention lately, as these new materials are entering the market, and as companies rush to find heavy-metal free quantum dots solutions, especially for the display industry. Don't miss our new article that introduces Graphene Quantum Dots and relates the latest activities in this emerging market.