Forecasting and prediction

Many notable figures played a role in the invention of the lightbulb. Although Thomas Edison is normally credited for this due to his designs success. In 1879 Edison and his team discovered that a carbonized bamboo filament burnt for more than 1,200 hours (Palermo, 2014). More than a century later even though the design of the bulb has changed considerably, it is still in use. But that may change soon. A chemistry graduate student from Vanderbilt University accidentally developed a new technique that involves coating a blue LED with quantum dots that glow white in response to the blue light from the LED(). Although LEDs have been used for decades in consumer electronics, they produce a bluish-white light that is not enough for general use. The students discovered that microscopic semiconductor nanocrystals also known as quantum dots can absorb the blue light and emit a warm white light. According to Salisbury (2008) the group was exploring two applications for semiconducting Nano crystals, one for medical use and one for lighting solar cells. Michael Bowers one of the students put a solution containing the nanocrystals into a small glass cell and illuminated it with laser. As per Michael Bowers the quantum dots were supposed to emit blue light but instead they gave of a white glow (Salisbury, 2008). The group then set out to do more research on the applications and published the work in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (Bowers, McBride, & Rosenthal, 2005, p. 15378–15379) and also received a breakthrough award from popular mechanics (Ward, 2009).
The applications for this technology are still being studied but it could open doors as said earlier replacing the light bulb and instead using the nanoparticles on other surfaces to illuminate. Carey (2005) suggested that if the new process is developed into commercial production. Quantum dot mixtures could be painted on almost anything, for instance, walls or tables and electrically excited to produce light.

Supporting Forces

NanoScience

On the discovery, Rosenthal commented that the exciting thing about it is the fact that it’s a nanoscience phenomenon (Salisbury, 2008). The growing interest in nanotechnology could be a supporting force for this technology.

Cheaper and better lighting

 According to Zyga (2012) the brightness, efficiency, lifetime and low turn-on voltage show that quantum dot devices could offer promising application on electronics and lighting devices. The author also adds that since quantum dots can be printed as ink, displays and devices will benefit from low-cost production methods. Vandervell (2014) adds that gadgets would enjoy improved battery life and also superior image quality due to lighting, these are powerful combination in today’s market.

Other Applications

 The discovery could potentially pave way for quantum dot research in other areas. For instance developing high speed Ethernet data communications as showed by Borghino (2010). Meštrović (n.d) also shows that trends are evident that the quantum dots will become dominant florescent reporters in biology and medicine over the next decade.

References

Borghino, D. (2010, June 4). World's first 25gbps data communication using quantum dot laser achieved. Retrieved from http://www.gizmag.com/25gbps-communication-with-quantum-dot-laser/15310/
Bowers, M. J., McBride, J. R., & Rosenthal, S. J. (2005). White-light emission from magic-sized cadmium selenide nanocrystals. Journal of The American Chemical Society, 127(44), 15378–15379. doi:10.1021/ja055470d
Carey, B. (2005, October 21). Accidental invention points to end of light bulbs. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/428-accidental-invention-points-light-bulbs.html
Meštrović, T. (n.d.). Quantum Dots in Biology and Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.news-medical.net/health/Quantum-Dots-in-Biology-and-Medicine.aspx
Palermo, E. (2014, February 15). Who Invented the Light Bulb? Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/43424-who-invented-the-light-bulb.html
Salisbury, D. (2008). A Little Matter of Light. Retrieved from http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2008-06/a-little-matter-of-light/
Vandervell, A. (2014, December 16). Quantum dots explained: What they are and why they’re awesome. Retrieved from http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/quantum-dots-explained-what-they-are-and-why-they-re-awesome
Ward, L. (2009). Bulb slayer: Lighting the world with LEDs. Retrieved from http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a1397/4212848/
Zyga, L. (2012, April 20). Quantum dot LEDs get brighter, more efficient. Retrieved from http://phys.org/news/2012-04-quantum-dot-brighter-efficient.html