Fraunhofer Institute for
Applied Polymer Research IAP
Fraunhofer Institute for
Applied Polymer Research IAP

We brighten your future.

Quantum materials

 

CANdot®

 

Semiconductor nanoparticles
in the visible and NIR range

more info
 

Synthesis development | Scale-up

Synthesis methods for
commercial scale and applications

more info
 

Display | Lighting

 

Quantum materials as
custom engineered emitters

more info
 

Sensor applications

 

Optoelectronic and
chemical sensor technology

 

more info
 

Product
authentication

Innovative product labels
verified with smart devices

more info
 

Analysis and regulatory assessment of nanoparticles

more info

CANdot®

 

We offer semiconductor nanoparticles with intense fluorescence in the visible and NIR range. Thanks to many years of expertise, we are able to produce quantum dots customized for a wide range of applications. We ensure that the particles are available for commercialization even after R&D projects. A standard series based on Fraunhofer CAN technology is commercially available worldwide under the name CANdot.

What is CANdot®?

 

Structure

  • inorganic core of semiconductor material determines emission wavelength
  • mostly inorganic shells increase stability
  • ligand shell of organic molecules influences dispersibility of nanoparticles

Customization

  • all three parts of the structure can be customized for your needs

CANdot® Series


CANdot® Series vis

  • emission in the visible range
  • low reabsorption due to giant shell
  • Cd-containing and Cd-free
  • also with polarized emission

CANdot® Series NIR

  • absorption and emission in the NIR range
  • Pb-containing and Pb-free

CANdot®  Series Composite

  • injection-moldable polymer composites

CANdot® Series Spin Coating

  • QD-containing formulations for the production of homogeneous layers

Services

 

Customized solutions | emission wavelength, stability, ligand shell for compatibility with desired process


Scale-Up | synthesis process for QD, 
e.g. transfer to proprietary flow reactor technology (CANflow)


Characterization | extensive characterization of quantum dots, including TEM, Quantum Yield, TGA

Standards | development of quantum materials to meet standards, e.g. RoHS or EuPIA

Consulting

 

Customized adaptations

  • core, shell and ligand shell can be customized for your needs
  • support with modification, processing and application as ink, composite or coating

Applications

  • display, illumination, color converter, QD-LED, polarized emitters (visible) 
  • sensor technology, e.g. color converter (NIR)
  • security features, e.g. uncloneable additive in ink formulations

Wir  stellen sicher, dass die Partikel zur Kommerzialisierung auch im Anschluss an FuE-Projekte verfügbar sind.

 

Synthesis development and scale-up

 

For our customers we develop synthesis processes for quantum materials, in particular for quantum dots. We optimize established synthesis routes and scale them up for commercial applications.

CANflow

Proprietary flow reactor technology for QD synthesis

  • full automation of the process
  • inline characterization for fast optimization
  • unique reproducibility
  • upscaling of throughput for industry-relevant production volumes
  • safety through automation and small reaction volumes
  • easy scale-up for fast market entry


Characterization

  • absorption and emission spectroscopy
  • direct quantum yield measurements
  • fluorescence lifetime determination
  • thermogravimetry (TGA)
  • transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
  • dynamic / static light scattering
  • field flux fractionation (AF4)
  • elemental composition (Cd, Pb)

Services

 

Customized solutions ǀ synthesis processes for improved production quality, incorporation of QDs into various formulations and matrix materials.

 

Scale-Up ǀ syntheses up to the kg range

Further processing | incorporation into masterbatches, inks and processable formulations

Regulatory Adaptations ǀ development of standards-compliant quantum materials (RoHS, EuPIA)

 

Consulting

Display and lighting

 

The quantum dots developed at Fraunhofer CAN are excellent emitters for displays and lighting concepts. Our systems are characterized by high absorption in the excitation range and low absorption in the emission range (negligible reabsorption).

Giant shell Quantum Dots (GSQD)

  • highly stable emitter materials for color conversion and QD LEDs
  • high luminosity meets narrow emission bands
  • shell volume typically at least 10 times the core volume
  • various Cd-containing and Cd-free systems available

 

Quantum Rods

  • elongated emitter materials for polarized light sources
  • can be used as a color converter and emitter in QD LEDs
  • high thermal stability
  • spherical core in elongated shell

Services


Customized solutions ǀ quantum materials as emitters

Broad applicability ǀ emission bands in the VIS/NIR spectral range

Ligand modification ǀ adaptation for the respective process

Structuring ǀ photostructurable nanocomposites, inks, photoresists

Embedding ǀ composites with quantum materials for polymer components

Analytics ǀ optical, microscopic

Consulting

QD | color converter

  • emission based on photoluminescence: Excitation of the emission via the absorption of short-wave photons
  • adaptation of the ligand shell for individual dispersion behavior
  • introduction of quantum materials into monomers and polymer matrices

QD | QD-LEDs

  • emission based on electroluminescence: Excitation of the emission takes place via the injection of charge carriers
  • photostructurable nanocomposites
  • modification of the ligand shell for effective charge transport

Wir  stellen sicher, dass die Partikel zur Kommerzialisierung auch im Anschluss an FuE-Projekte verfügbar sind.

 

Sensor applications

 

Our nanoparticles offer great potential for applications in the field of sensor technology - from absorbers for photodetectors and emitters for optical spectroscopy to the functionalization of chemical sensors or the fabrication of chemiresistors. We synthesize tailor-made nanoparticle systems and develop prototype sensors.

Semiconductor nanoparticles

  • NIR-QDs Pb-haltend/-frei
  • absorber materials e.g. photodetectors
  • emitter materials for NIR light sources
  • ink-based deposition possible using spin coating and inkjet printing

Application example

 

Services

 

Nanoparticles for sensor technology | synthesis processes, characterization, scaling

Functionalization | nanoparticles, design of the ligand shell

Nanoparticle composites | formulations, optimization of deposition processes

Nanoparticle-based sensors | integration of nanoparticles and nanoparticle composites, prototype optoelectronic and chemical sensors 

Consulting

Product authentication

 

For applications such as product authentication or the safeguarding and tracing of supply chains, we use specially designed fluorescent quantum materials. We create cyber-physical systems that uniquely mark products and can be verified using smart devices.

Track & Trace

 

The demand for traceability of supply chains based on barcode solutions is growing steadily. Conventional barcodes are easy to copy, easy to forge and also dependent on databases.

We develop novel cyber-physical label systems for traceability and product authentication using smart devices.

Circular economy

 

The need for precise traceability in the circular economy is increasing.
A resource-saving recycling economy requires smart monitoring of material flows.

We develop cyber-physical systems for an intelligent and networked recycling process.

Services

 

Customized label systems ǀ label with specific fluorescence characteristics

 

Ink development ǀ design of the ligand shell for incorporation into the desired ink formulation or matrix

 

Unique and secure product labeling

 

Consulting








Label systems

  • security label: overt, covert, forensic
  • verification with smart devices
  • no fading, low costs
  • fluorescence: 400–2000 nm
  • lifespan: 10 ns–10 µs

SmartID

Our solution for tamper-proof and resilient supply chains!

to the project

Wir  stellen sicher, dass die Partikel zur Kommerzialisierung auch im Anschluss an FuE-Projekte verfügbar sind.

 

Analysis and regulatory assessment of nanoparticles

 

Are you developing an innovative product with improved properties - and using nanoparticles to do so? This technology offers enormous potential, but brings with it increasingly strict regulations, both in the EU and worldwide. Recycling specifications and approval regulations in particular are becoming more demanding. Take advantage of our know-how to meet these requirements.

Analysis, evaluation

We clarify whether your product is to be classified as containing nanoparticles - a crucial step in meeting legal requirements:

  • shipping conditions
  • occupational exposure limits/ handling
  • import and sales guidelines
  • disposal regulation

This is not only relevant for manufacturers, but also for those placing nano-containing products on the market.

Recycling consulting

 

We support you in designing nanoparticle-containing products such as polymer composites or coatings not only for their service life but also for safe and environmentally sound management afterwards.

By considering recycling early on, you can bring nanotechnology-based products to market in a future-proof and environmentally friendly way. In addition, you gain a competitive advantage through the potential recycling of often costly nanoparticles.

Services

 

Assessment | Is it nano? Does it contain nanomaterials?

Quality testing | Does the supplied, nano-containing product meet your requirements?

Risk assessment | Evaluation of potential hazards of nanomaterials as well as support in preparing safety data sheets

Regulations and requirements | We help you bring your product to market safely

Recycling | Together with you, we consider the entire life cycle of your nano-containing product

Non-binding consultation | Contact us today

Our interdisciplinary team of experts, with more than 50 years of experience in working with quantum materials, supports you in addressing all challenges related to the use of nanoparticles.

We offer a broad portfolio of spectroscopic, electron microscopic, and classical analytical methods.

Get in touch with us – we will be happy to support you.