| Oct 29, 2021 |
Unlocking the technology to produce unbreakable screens(Nanowerk News) Cracked phone screens could become a thing of the past thanks to breakthrough research conducted at The University of Queensland. |
| The global team of researchers, led by UQ’s Dr Jingwei Hou, Professor Lianzhou Wang and Professor Vicki Chen, have unlocked the technology to produce next-generation composite glass for lighting LEDs and smartphone, television and computer screens (Science, "Liquid-phase sintering of lead halide perovskites and metal-organic framework glasses"). |
| The findings will enable the manufacture of glass screens that are not only unbreakable but also deliver crystal clear image quality. |
| Dr Hou said the discovery was a huge step forward in perovskite nanocrystal technology as previously, researchers were only able to produce this technology in the bone-dry atmosphere of a laboratory setting. |
| “The emitting materials are made from nanocrystals, called lead-halide perovskites,” he said. |
| “They can trap light and store energy – think solar panels but on the small scale. |
| “Unfortunately, these nanocrystals are extremely sensitive to light, heat, air and water – even water vapour in our air would kill the current devices in a matter of minutes. |
| “Our team of chemical engineers and material scientists has developed a process to wrap or bind the nanocrystals in porous glass. |
| “This process is key to stabilising the materials, enhancing its efficiency and inhibits the toxic lead ions from leaching out from the materials.” |
| Dr Hou said the technology was scalable and opened the door for many applications. |
| “At present QLED or quantum dot light-emitting diode screens are considered the top performer for image display and performance,” he said. |
| “This research will enable us to improve on this nanocrystal technology by offering stunning picture quality and strength.” |
| Professor Vicky Chen said it was an exciting development. |
| “Not only can we make these nanocrystals more robust but we can tune their opto-electronic properties with fantastic light emission efficiency and highly desirable white light LEDs, “ Professor Chen said. |
| “This discovery opens up a new generation of nanocrystal-glass composites for energy conversion and catalysis.” |
| Source: The University of Queensland |
