The 3M Company’s Optical Systems Division integrate technologies with Nanosys that will result in wide color gamut technology that supports consumer electronic displays, through which Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) can display 50 % more color.
3M and Nanosys will jointly commercialize Quantum Dot Enhancement Film (QDEF) technology of Nanosys. QDEF is a drop-in film that can be incorporated to the current production processes by LCD developers. Based on the light emitting properties of quantum dots, an ideal backlight for LCDs can be developed, thereby promoting the efficiency and color performance of LCDs.
According to the VP of the Optical Systems Division at 3M, Jim Bauman, a new color viewing feature will result through the integration of Nanosys materials expertise and innovative technology with the highly-efficient engineering, design and supply chain capabilities of 3M.
3M technologies have represented a history of better LCD performance. The LCD’s color performance has however remained standard. The existing LCDs are constrained to display 35 % or less of the visible color spectrum. There is a dramatic difference between the viewing experiences on an LCD than that existing in the real world. Wide color gamut displays provides the consumers with more immersive, visceral, and true visual experience.
A quantum dot is capable of emitting light at a specific wavelength. This dot measures 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. QDEF has the potential to control the spectral output of a quantum dot that enables developing an ideal white backlight specially created for LCDs. Trillions of these quantum dots are packed to form a thin film, being in-built within an LCD backlight unit. QDEF substitutes a similar film that was present within LCD backlights. Furthermore, the integration of QDEF within manufacturing processes does not require new equipment or alteration in process.
Source: http://www.3m.com/