GOALI: Mist-Deposition Based Manufacturing of Matrix Displays from Solution-Processed Semiconductor Quantum Dots

本项目旨在探索使用喷雾沉积工艺作为一种新的纳米制造技术，用于在开发高性能量子点发光二极管（QD-LED）和QD-LED矩阵显示器的背景下有效沉积和图案化半导体纳米量子点（NQD）的纳米薄膜。控制发射NQD膜的厚度、组合物、表面形态和均匀性的工艺变量将被研究，以通过对在雾沉积工艺中的纳米级液滴的形成、充电、运输和聚结过程的理解来建立NQD沉积协议。通过采用喷雾沉积工艺来调整NQD有源层的厚度和形貌，将优化QD-LED器件的加工。LED性能将被表征并与工艺参数相关联，以研究QD-LED加工中雾沉积技术的极限。在雾沉积过程中的顺序阴影掩模图案化的就业将被调查，以创建RGB像素阵列的明亮的量子点发光二极管在大的表面积。本计画的目标是发展一种多功能、高效率且可扩充的全彩色被动矩阵式QD-LED显示器制造技术，并将探讨与QD-LED技术相关的两个基本且相互关联的问题：制造方法与装置。本研究中采用的协同方法将显著扩展对纳米晶量子点加工和器件机理的理解。拟议项目的更广泛影响超出了纯技术奋进的范围，与基于纳米晶量子点的设备在日常生活中的预期未来作用有关。例如，柔性显示器等技术突破将对我们传输和接收信息的方式产生深远影响。由于纳米晶体半导体加工工艺的改进，一系列新的应用将成为可能，这将创造新的可观的市场，因此可能对国家经济产生显着影响。 拟议的研究还将通过参与实验室工作为本科生提供重点研究和学习经验，并帮助他们将基础纳米科学与纳米技术的实际应用联系起来。

This project aims to explore the use of mist-deposition process as a new nanomanufacturing technology for the efficient deposition and patterning of ultrathin films of semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) in the context of developing high-performance quantum dot light emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) and QD-LED matrix displays. The process variables that control the thickness, composition, surface morphology and uniformity of the emissive NQD film will be investigated in order to establish a NQD-deposition protocol through an understanding of the formation, charging, transport, and coalescence process of the nanoscale droplets in mist-deposition process. The processing of QD-LED devices will be optimized by tailoring the thickness and morphology of NQD-active layers with the mist-deposition process. The LED performance will be characterized and correlated to the process parameters in order to study the ultimate limits of the mist-deposition technology in QD-LED processing. The employment of sequential shadow-mask patterning in the mist-deposition process will be investigated to create RGB-pixel arrays of bright QD-LEDs over large surface areas. The target of this project will be the development of a versatile, efficient, and scalable technique for manufacturing of a full-color, passive matrix QD-LED display.This research project will address two fundamental, interrelated issues related to QD-LEDs technology: fabrication method and devices. The synergistic approach employed in this study will significantly expand the understanding of nanocrystalline quantum dots processing and device mechanism. The broader impacts of the proposed project go beyond the realm of a purely technical endeavor and are related to the anticipated future role of nanocrystalline quantum dots based devices in everyday life. For instance, technical breakthrough such as flexible displays will have a profound impact on the way we transmit and receive information. A range of new applications that will be made possible due to the improved processing of nanocrystalline semiconductors will create new sizeable markets, and hence, may have a noticeable impact of nation's economy. The proposed study will also provide focused research and learning experience to undergraduate students by involvement in experimental laboratory work, and help them to bridge the fundamental nanoscience with the real-world applications of nanotechnology.