Quantum Dots are fluorescent semiconducting tiny nanoparticles having substantial optical and electronic properties typically between 1 to 10nms. When particles are excited by UV light, it absorbs energy and re-emits the light in different colours based on the particle size. Thus, if you modify the particle size, it is easy to control the colour of the released spectrum. Distinctive colours can be determined by the morphology of the tiny particles with high surface-to-volume ratios.

As the nanoparticles’ size decreases, the energy difference between the valence band and the conduction band increases. The energy used to excite the dot is consequently released when the dot returns to its ground state, resulting in a colour difference in the emitted light. The colour of that light depends on the energy difference between the conduction band and the valence band

So connecting the new medical knowledge with the art of quantum dots create a new platform for the treatment of sophisticated diseases which is still unclear. This fact will be a good base for delivering new solutions and nanodevices for pharmaceutical and medical development.

Quantum dots are of either single component, core-shell, or alloyed type. Single component quantum dots have uniform internal compositions. Core-shell quantum dots are made by coating by another higher bandgap semiconducting QDs to improve the brightness of particles; for example, CdSe as core and ZnS as a shell. Alloyed quantum dots are homogenously formed of high bandgap and low bandgap semiconductors with a new internal structure and fine crystallite size. Quantum dots can be used for real-time imaging of molecules and cells for weeks and maybe months and can be used to target quantum dots to specific proteins on cells, antibodies, DNA.

Nanostreams is working on a new project to produce various types of quantum dots, and the plan will last for the upcoming 3 years.