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Nanotechnology is all around us. New nanomaterials can be used to demonstrate science concepts to facilitate
better understanding of these concepts through visual and hands-on activities. Quantum dots are an excellent
tool for demonstrating both basic and advanced science concepts in the classroom, from colors and light energy
to quantum phenomena and artificial atoms. Imagine introducing Quantum Mechanics in a colorful manner.
Brief background of Quantum dots.
Do you know that most 4K and Ultra High
Definition televisions (TV) available today
contain Quantum dots? The deep physics of
Quantum dots is the reason for the lifelike
picture quality and increased energyefficiency of these TVs. Quantum dot colors
are so pure that it can show you more colors
than ever before, about one billion. That’s 64
times as many colors as a conventional TV
according to Samsung.
How Small Is a Quantum Dot?
Images from Samsung website.
Quantum dots are extremely small nanosized particles, ranging between 1 – 10
nanometers wide. This means that there are billions of these spherical crystal particles inside a 55” High
Definition TV screen. To give you some idea of how tiny they are, 1 nanometer is the same as 1/10,000th the
thickness of a single strand of human hair. This means that Quantum dots are extremely small that you cannot
see them with your naked eye.
What Do Quantum Dots Do?
Quantum dots are very interesting because of their photoactive property. When you shine a light on them, they
absorb the light in the form of energy. Then they can use the absorbed energy to produce their own light with
a specific, pure color, based on its particle size. The smallest Quantum dots emit blue light while the larger
ones emit red light. This light emission process is called photoluminescence (PL) or more specifically is called,
fluorescence. Because Quantum dots can be made that absorb and emit energy in the entire visible spectrum, it
can show a rainbow of colors and display pictures with brightness never seen before. And unlike other light
emitting materials, Quantum dots can do these while using less energy and remaining cooler.
What are applications for Quantum dots?
Quantum dots are an important tool in many real-world applications. In displays, such as televisions, monitors,
tablets and mobile phones, the higher color purity of Quantum dots can improve the picture quality and energy
efficiency of these devices. This can be seen in the new 4K UHD TVs and Amazon Kindle Fire HDX devices.
In medical applications, the higher photostability of Quantum dots provide better optical probes for cancer
imaging. And in solar energy generation, solar cells with Quantum dots as sensitizers are more efficient because
it enables absorption of a wider spectrum of energy from the sun, from ultraviolet to infrared, which traditional
polycrystalline solar cells cannot achieve.
Copyright Navillum Nanotechnologies, Inc. 2016
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Teaching science concepts with Quantum dots.
Quantum dots are a fun and colorful way to introduce traditionally intimidating concepts in Physics and
Chemistry into the classroom. They can be used to illustrate the physical concept of colors as light energy in
the form of waves with distinct wavelengths. They are also an excellent tool for demonstrating quantum
phenomena in advanced courses. The size-dependent spectral properties of Quantum dots can be measured
quantitatively and illustrate the particle-in-a-box theory of quantum mechanics.
Teaching materials and simple hands-on activities using Quantum dots have already been developed with
support from the National Science Foundation. However, toxicity and safety concerns, as well as special
handling and waste management procedures, prevent utilization of these nanomaterials in the classroom.
Fluorescent Quantum dots are typically available as concentrated colloidal suspensions of cadmium selenide
(CdSe) in flammable solvents (ex. hexanes, toluene or chloroform). These solutions must be diluted right
before each use and are consumable. Navillum has developed a Quantum dot kit that overcomes all these issues.
Navillum Quantum dot kit includes a set of four (4) or five
(5) distinct colors or wavelengths of CdSe/ZnS core/shell
Quantum dots casted in a solid polymer (NOT LIQUID)
within a sealed plastic cuvette compatible for UV/Vis
spectrophotometry and fluorimetry. Cadmium-free (Cdfree) options are also available. The cuvettes can be
illuminated directly by an excitation source such as a
black light, blue LED, or a tungsten-halogen lamp. The
Quantum dot wavelengths are dependent on the size of the
particles incorporated in the solid polymer since the
physical size of the Quantum dots dictate the wavelengths
that these particles absorb and emit. Measuring the
absorption wavelengths with a spectrometer (can be
purchased separately) allows students to calculate the
actual particle size of the Quantum dot.
Navillum Quantum dot kits are simpler and worry free.
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No more transferring from stock solutions to
cuvettes. Avoid accidental spills or direct contact
with the Quantum dots.
No solvent evaporation. Avoid particle aggregation and rapid deterioration of Quantum dot properties.
No more rushing to conduct experiments. Our Quantum dots are stable longer term having same
core/shell quality grade as the ones we provide to display manufacturers.
No more hazardous wastes to think about.
The five color Navillum Quantum dot kit comes with a bonus blank cuvette for quantitative measurements.
Order now and catch our introductory discounted pricing for a limited time. Visit us at www.navillum.com for
more details. (Pricing in page 4 of brochure.)
Copyright Navillum Nanotechnologies, Inc. 2016
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Teaching Resources.
A simple hands-on activity, including supplementary teaching materials and worksheets, have been developed
through the support of the National Science Foundation GK-12 and Research Experience for Teachers (RET)
programs and University of Houston for grade levels 7-12. The activity can be found in this link:
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/uoh_nano_lesson02_activity3.
This activity can help the students understand the following concepts:
 Color in terms of light energy and wavelength
 Particle and wave duality
 Discrete nature of energy
 Absorption and Emission
 Fluorescence
 How Quantum dots work
 Interplay between Quantum dot particle size and color
 Practical applications for Quantum dots
Two supplementary teaching materials can be added to introduce nanotechnology.
 NanoTech: Insights into a Nano-Sized World
https://www.teachengineering.org/curricularunits/view/uoh_nano_unit
 Nanotechnology as a Whole
https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/uoh_nano_lesson01
Quantum dots are also an excellent tool for demonstrating quantum phenomena in advanced chemistry,
advanced physics or undergraduate physical chemistry, physics and materials science laboratory courses. The
size-dependent spectral properties of Quantum dots can be examined quantitatively and illustrate the particlein-a-box theory of quantum mechanics. A sample activity and lesson plan were developed by the former
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network through the support of the National Science Foundation.
These can be found in this link: http://www.nnin.org/education-training/k-12-teachers/nanotechnologycurriculum-materials/synthesis-and-characterization.
The activity can help students learn the following concepts in addition to basic concepts highlighted for high
school activity:
 Semiconductors and excitons
 Exciton and quantum confinement in Quantum dots
 Particle in a 1-Dimensional Box
 Connecting the band gap with the optical properties of the Quantum dots
 How nanosized particles of a given substance can exhibit different properties than macro- or micro- size
particles of the same material
 How the colors of the Quantum dots are connected to the nanoparticle size
 Spectroscopy techniques and optical properties (ex. excitation, absorption and emission)
 How to estimate the size of Quantum dots using UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy
 How to create a calibration curve and calculate linear equations
Additional instructional materials for demonstration and quantitative experiments are available and can be
requested for free. Please send an email to sales@ navillum.com.
Copyright Navillum Nanotechnologies, Inc. 2016
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Product Number Description
IK-CZ-5-kit
5- color CdSe/ZnS with blank cuvette, black flock paper and 405 nm LED
laser light.
IK-CZ-4-kit
4 color CdSe/ZnS with black flock paper and 405 nm LED laser light.
IK-CZ-3-kit
3- color CdSe/ZnS with black flock paper and 405 nm LED laser light.
IK-CZ-5
5- color CdSe/ZnS with blank cuvette.
IK-CZ-4
4- color CdSe/ZnS.
IK-CZ-3
3- color CdSe/ZnS.
IK-IZ-5-kit
5- color cadmium-free with blank cuvette, black flock paper and 405 nm
LED laser light.
IK-IZ-4-kit
4 color cadmium-free with black flock paper and 405 nm LED laser light.
IK-IZ-3-kit
3- color cadmium-free with black flock paper and 405 nm LED laser light.
IK-IZ-5
5- color cadmium-free with blank cuvette.
IK-IZ-4
4- color cadmium-free.
IK-IZ-3
3- color cadmium-free.
Blank cuvette
Cuvette containing polymer only for blank measurements in
spectrophotometric experiments.
IK-FP
Black flock paper and 405 nm LED laser
Price
$550
$450
$400
$499
$399
$349
$800
$700
$750
$749
$649
$599
$50
$65
Notes:
1. The five color Navillum Quantum dot kits comes with a bonus blank cuvette for quantitative measurements.
2. Black flock paper is self-adhesive, 8” x 10”, 5 pieces.
3. 5mW 405nm purple laser. Requires 2 x AAA Battery not included.
Order now and catch our introductory discounted pricing for a limited time. Custom orders in glass or quartz
cuvettes will take up to two weeks. Navillum Quantum dots in solution are also available for purchase in our
website (www.navillum.com).
Quantum dots should be kept in a dark place at room temperature to extend the shelf life as long as possible.
Quantum dots should NOT be kept in the refrigerator or freezer.
Contact Information:
Navillum Nanotechnologies, Inc.
2500 S. State St., Ste. D246, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
Email: [email protected]
Call: (801)513-7867 or (419)481-1160
Website: www.navillum.com
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respective owners unless stated otherwise. The above content is provided for information purposes only. All
information included herein is subject to change without notice. Navillum Nanotechnologies is not responsible
for any direct or indirect damages, arising from or related to use or reliance of the above content.
Copyright Navillum Nanotechnologies, Inc. 2016
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