Abstract: An illuminated sign has a primary light source in spaced apart relation to a transparent or translucent substrate having quantum dot phosphors printed or coated thereon. The primary light source may be a blue LED, a white LED or an LED having a significant portion of its emission in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. The LED may be a backlight for the transparent or translucent substrate and/or an edge light, a down light or an up light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are coated beads made of a primary matrix material and containing a population of quantum dot nanoparticles. Each bead has a multi-layer surface coating. The layers can be two or more distinct surface coating materials. The surface coating materials may be inorganic materials and/or polymeric materials. A method of preparing such particles is also described. The coated beads are useful for composite materials for applications such as light-emitting devices.

Abstract: A method of preparing Group XIII selenide nanoparticles comprises reacting a Group XIII ion source with a selenol compound. The nanoparticles have an MxSey Semiconductor core (where M is In or Ga) and an organic capping ligand attached to the core via a carbon-selenium bond. The selenol provides a source of selenium for incorporation into the semiconductor core and also provides the organic capping ligand. The nanoparticles are particularly suitable for solution-based methods of preparing semiconductor films.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing Cu2XSnY4 nanoparticles, wherein X is Zn, Cd, Hg, Ni, Co, Mn or Fe and Y is S or Se, (CXTY) are disclosed herein. The nanoparticles can be used to make layers for use in thin film photovoltaic (PV) cells. The CXTY materials are prepared by a colloidal synthesis in the presence of labile organo-chalcogens. The organo-chalcogens serves as both a chalcogen source for the nanoparticles and as a capping ligand for the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of heat transfer printing using quantum dots is described. The method can be used to form an image using quantum dots on a substrate that is not easily printed using conventional printing techniques. Also described is a quantum dot ink formulation for heat transfer printing. The methods and materials can be used for anti-counterfeiting applications.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) layers for use in thin film photovoltaic (PV) cells are disclosed herein. The CZTS materials are nanoparticles prepared by a colloidal synthesis in the presence of a labile organothiol. The organothiol serves as both a sulphur source and as a capping ligand for the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of preparing Group XIII selenide nanoparticles comprises reacting a Group XIII ion source with a selenol compound. The nanoparticles have an MxSey semiconductor core (where M is In or Ga) and an organic capping ligand attached to the core via a carbon-selenium bond. The selenol provides a source of selenium for incorporation into the semiconductor core and also provides the organic capping ligand. The nanoparticles are particularly suitable for solution-based methods of preparing semiconductor films.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing quantum dots (QDs) by reacting one or more core semiconductor precursors with phosphine in the presence of a molecular cluster compound. The core semiconductor precursor(s) provides elements that are incorporated into the QD core semiconductor material. The core semiconductor also incorporates phosphorus, which is provided by the phosphine. The phosphine may be provided to the reaction as a gas or may, alternatively, be provided as an adduct of another material.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) layers for use in thin film photovoltaic (PV) cells are disclosed herein. The CZTS materials are nanoparticles prepared by a colloidal synthesis in the presence of a labile organothiol. The organothiol serves as both a sulphur source and as a capping ligand for the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) layers for use in thin film photovoltaic (PV) cells are disclosed herein. The CZTS materials are nanoparticles prepared by a colloidal synthesis in the presence of a labile organothiol. The organothiol serves as both a sulphur source and as a capping ligand for the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process for producing copper selenide nanoparticles by effecting conversion of a nanoparticle precursor composition comprising copper and selenide ions to the material of the copper selenide nanoparticles in the presence of a selenol compound. Copper selenide-containing films and CIGS semiconductor films produced using copper selenide as a fluxing agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of heat transfer printing using quantum dots is described. The method can be used to form an image using quantum dots on a substrate that is not easily printed using conventional printing techniques. Also described is a quantum dot ink formulation for heat transfer printing. The methods and materials can be used for anti-counterfeiting applications.

Abstract: Herein, a personal care formulation is described. The formulation includes a personal care ingredient, in which quantum dots and a UVA-absorbing species are dissolved or dispersed. The formulation absorbs at least a portion of light at wavelengths below 280 nm and above 315 nm. In some embodiments, the formulation emits light with a peak maximum in the region of 290 nm to 300 nm. When applied to the skin, the formulation can be used to mitigate some of the harmful effects of sunlight and manmade lighting products, such as compact fluorescent lamps, while enabling the skin to absorb at least a portion of light required to synthesize vitamin D in vivo.

Abstract: A method of preparing metal oxide nanoparticles is described herein. The method involves reacting nanoparticle precursors in the presence of a population of molecular cluster compounds. The molecular cluster compound may or may not contain the same metal as will be present in the metal oxide nanoparticle. Likewise, the molecular cluster compound may or may not contain oxygen. The molecular cluster compounds acts a seeds or templates upon which nanoparticle growth is initiated. As the molecular cluster compounds are all identical, the identical nucleation sites result in highly monodisperse populations of metal oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: Light-emitting materials are made from a porous light-emitting semiconductor having quantum dots (QDs) disposed within the pores. According to some embodiments, the QDs have diameters that are essentially equal in size to the width of the pores. The QDs are formed in the pores by exposing the porous semiconductor to gaseous QD precursor compounds, which react within the pores to yield QDs. According to certain embodiments, the pore size limits the size of the QDs produced by the gas-phase reactions. The QDs absorb light emitted by the light-emitting semiconductor material and reemit light at a longer wavelength than the absorbed light, thereby “down-converting” light from the semiconductor material.

Abstract: A process for producing copper selenide nanoparticles by effecting conversion of a nanoparticle precursor composition comprising copper and selenide ions to the material of the copper selenide nanoparticles in the presence of a selenol compound. Copper selenide-containing films and CIGS semiconductor films produced using copper selenide as a fluxing agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing quantum dots (QDs) by reacting one or more core semiconductor precursors with phosphine in the presence of a molecular cluster compound. The core semiconductor precursor(s) provides elements that are incorporated into the QD core semiconductor material. The core semiconductor also incorporates phosphorus, which is provided by the phosphine. The phosphine may be provided to the reaction as a gas or may, alternatively, be provided as an adduct of another material.

Abstract: By forming nanoparticles from gas-phase precursors within cracks or defects in a gas-barrier film, crack-width may be determined from the diameter of the nanoparticles formed within. The optical absorption and emission wavelengths of a quantum dot are governed by the particle size. For a particular material, the absorption and/or emission wavelengths may therefore be correlated to the particle size (as determined from techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, TEM). Thus, fluorescence measurement techniques and/or confocal microscopy may be used to determine the size of quantum dots formed within a gas-barrier film, allowing both the size and nature of a defect to be determined. The method may be used to assess the potential effects of defects on the integrity of the gas-barrier film.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) layers for use in thin film photovoltaic (PV) cells are disclosed herein. The CZTS materials are nanoparticles prepared by a colloidal synthesis in the presence of a labile organothiol. The organothiol serves as both a sulphur source and as a capping ligand for the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Methods for detecting disease in a patient are disclosed. The methods involve administering to the patient a quantum dot-analyte conjugate, which includes an analyte that binds to a marker for the disease in the patient's gastrointestinal tract. The analyte is conjugated to a quantum dot having a characteristic emission wavelength. Using an endoscopic modality, a physician can illuminate portions of the patient's gastrointestinal tract and detect the presence of the marker based on emission of the quantum dot. Also disclosed are methods of predicting a response to a treatment in a patient.