Quantum Dots

Poland-based QD developer QNA Technology announced that it has raised 13 million PLN (just over 3.1 million Euros) to commercialize its quantum dots synthesis and production technology. The company optimizes its QDs for two applications: electroluminescence display devices (QD-EL) and for microLED displays devices based on UV microLEDs.

QNA says that it has been able to develop high quality materials that can be synthesized on a large scale, and it is collaborating with global display industry leaders to bring these materials to market. The company built an experimental medium-scale pilot synthesis line, which it is now validating. The new line allows QNA to gain insights into efficiency and production costs, as the company aims to design and construct a larger-scale production synthesis line in the future.

China-based microLED microdisplay developer Hongshi Intelligence announced that it has developed a full-color microLED microdisplay, with a brightness level of 1.2 million nits(white light).

The microdisplay uses a hybrid stack structure, integrating native blue and green microLED (from two source wafers) and uses quantum dots color conversion to emit red light from blue LEDs.

We're happy to announce the 2025 edition of The Perovskite Handbook. This book is a comprehensive guide to perovskite materials, applications and industry. Perovskites are an exciting class of materials that feature a myriad of exciting properties and are considered the future of solar cells, displays, sensors, LEDs and more. The perovskite industry is at an inflection point, with dramatic investments and commitments, and perovskite could become important material to watch for all display developers, especially for microLEDs where perovskites could be used for both color conversion and actual emission (PeLEDs). The handbook is now updated to January 2025 and lists recent developments and new companies, initiatives and research activities. 

Reading this book, you'll learn all about:

• Different perovskite materials, their properties and structure
• How perovskites can be made, tuned and used
• What kinds of applications perovskites may be suitable for
• What the obstacles on the way to a perovskite revolution are
• Perovskite solar cells, their merits and challenges
• Perovskite QDs, LEDs, and other applications
• The state of the perovskite market, potential and future

The book also provides: a history of perovskite research, a guide to perovskite companies and developers, information on leading collaboration and development projects, a comprehensive list of perovskite companies, market updates and much more!

Belgium-based QD developer and MicroLED Association member QustomDot announced that it has raised 5 million Euros at its pre-Series A financing round.

Several investors participated in this recent round, including Noshaq, EIC Fund, Qbic Fund, Venture Capital, PMV and VIGO Venture. 

Hong Kong based microLED microdisplay developer Raysolve Technology announced a new microdisplay product line, branded as PowerMatch 1. These are 0.13" 320x240 full-color microLED microdisplays, that achieve a high brightness of 250,000 nits (up from 150,000 nits in the company's previous panels). The company is using blue LEDs with quantum dots (QD) color conversion.

The company says that it managed to increase the brightness compared to its previous panels by optimizing both the GaN blue material and the quantum dots conversion materials, in addition to updates to the manufacturing process and the CMOS driver. The new displays achieve the same color performance of their predecessors (108.5% DCI-P3).

How XTPL's Ultra-Precise Dispensing System is Shaping the Future of OLED and MicroLED Displays Exploring the Future of Display Technology: OLED, QD-OLED, and MicroLED Compared

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), QD-OLED (Quantum Dot Organic Light-Emitting Diode), and MicroLED (Micro Light-Emitting Diode) share some common characteristics as emissive display technologies:

1. Emissive nature: They all emit light when an electric current is passed through them.
2. Active matrix: They use an active matrix to control the emission of each pixel.
3. Pixel structure: Each pixel typically consists of three sub-pixels (red, green, and blue) that can be controlled independently.
4. High contrast ratio: They are capable of producing high contrast ratios due to their ability to turn off or dim individual pixels.
5. Fast response time: They have fast response times, which enables them to display fast-moving content without blurring or ghosting.
6. Viewing angles: They can maintain good color accuracy and contrast even when viewed from the side, although MicroLEDs tend to have better viewing angles. 

Fig. 1 XTPL Ultra-Precise Dispensing System

In the past year, microLED startups have raised over $200 million. As some companies (most notably Aledia and JBD in this case) mature and start to build production capacity, the need for funds grows, and we have indeed seen large investment rounds in these companies.

• Kubos Semiconductors: $2 million (May 2024)
• MICLEDI: $17 million (March 2024)
• Mojo Vision: $21.1 million (October 2023)
• Aledia: $129 million (October 2023)
• Comptek Solutions: $8.6 million (August 2023)
• QNA Technology: $4 million (August 2023)
• JBD: A4 round, estimated at $30-130 million (June 2023)

It is great to see these recent funding successes, which will hopefully lead to increased innovation and also initial production. It should be noted that most (if not all) of these financing rounds have been finalized before Apple made its decision to cancel its main microLED wearable project. We do not see Apple's decision as having a major impact on the long-term viability of microLED technologies or on the industry - but we do know that some investors are now hesitant to invest in this market following Apple's project cancellation. 

Innolux showed several new microLED display prototypes at Displayweek 2024, as it focuses on microLEDs as its next-generation display solution.

First, the company showcased a large 106" tiled microLED TV display, build from 96 12.3" modules. The display uses 20x40 um blue microLED chips (with QD color conversion) and an LTPS backplane.

MicroLED display developer VueReal announced a new microLED architecture, based on blue LEDs and QD color conversion, which it brands as QuantumVue. VueReal says it developed its own patented dynamic quantum dot (QD) patterning technology which complements its unique proprietary MicroSolid Printing microLED transfer technology.

VueReal says that its QuantumVue displays offer high sustainability and affordability without compromising image quality. The technology is especially suitable for TV panels as it can offer superior performance at a competitive cost compared to a native RGB microLED display architecture.

Taiwan-based Innolux demonstrated new microLED display prototypes: a wide 187-inch microLED tiled display, a 9.6" flexible automotive microLED prototype and a transparent microLED.

Innolux did not detail much about these new prototypes. All of its microLEDs are based on blue microLEDs with quantum dot color conversion, and LTPS backplanes on glass substrates.