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

本项目旨在探索利用雾沉积工艺作为一种新的纳米制造技术，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，高效沉积和图像化半导体纳米晶体量子点（NQDs）超薄膜。研究控制NQD薄膜厚度、组成、表面形貌和均匀性的工艺变量，通过了解雾沉积过程中纳米级液滴的形成、充电、传输和聚结过程，建立NQD沉积方案。通过雾沉积工艺来调整nqd有源层的厚度和形貌，可以优化QD-LED器件的加工。为了研究雾沉积技术在QD-LED加工中的极限，我们将对LED的性能进行表征，并将其与工艺参数进行关联。在雾沉积过程中使用顺序阴影掩模图案将被研究，以在大表面积上创建明亮的qd - led的rgb像素阵列。该项目的目标是开发一种通用、高效、可扩展的技术，用于制造全彩、无源矩阵QD-LED显示屏。该研究项目将解决与qd - led技术相关的两个基本问题：制造方法和器件。本研究采用的协同方法将大大扩展对纳米晶量子点加工和器件机制的理解。拟议项目的更广泛影响超出了纯技术努力的领域，并且与基于纳米晶体量子点的设备在日常生活中的预期未来角色有关。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的影响。由于纳米晶体半导体加工技术的改进，一系列新的应用将成为可能，这将创造新的相当大的市场，因此，可能对国家经济产生显著的影响。该研究还将通过参与实验实验室工作，为本科生提供集中的研究和学习经验，并帮助他们将纳米技术的基础科学与实际应用联系起来。

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.