Silver Nanocluster Light Converter for Narrow Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting technologies using phosphors for light conversion, such as inorganic ceramics and organic dyes, face inefficiencies due to broad emission spectra outside human eye sensitivity and high costs, while nanoparticles like quantum dots have limitations in luminescence and production costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of a lighting device using fluorescent silver nanoparticles embedded in a polymeric host material, where the nanoparticles are synthesized in situ or pre-produced and embedded in a UV-curable acrylate film, allowing for efficient conversion of blue light to longer wavelengths with controlled absorption and emission peaks, reducing costs and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If organic dyes are used for light conversion, then the device can be manufactured with simpler materials, but the emission spectrum becomes broad and extends into near infrared, causing energy losses as heat and reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the luminescent material from organic dyes to inorganic metal nanoclusters, which fundamentally alters the emission spectrum from broad (extending into NIR) to narrow (within visible range), thereby reducing energy loss as heat while maintaining manufacturing advantages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of metal nanoclusters embedded in a polymer matrix, combining the manufacturing simplicity of organic materials with the narrow emission spectrum and high efficiency of inorganic luminescent materials
2Loss of energy
If inorganic phosphors based on ceramics are used, then the emission spectrum becomes narrow, but the cost increases due to the presence of rare earth metals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive rare earth metals with abundant, inexpensive metals such as silver, gold, or copper to form nanoclusters, achieving similar narrow emission spectrum and high efficiency without the high material cost associated with rare earth elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the size parameter of the luminescent material to the nanoscale (1-10 nm), which fundamentally alters the optical properties to produce narrow emission spectra, replacing the need for expensive rare earth dopants in ceramic phosphors
3Loss of energy
If quantum dots are used as light converter nanoparticles, then the emission spectrum becomes narrow, but the production cost remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive semiconductor quantum dots with inexpensive metal nanoclusters that can be synthesized using simple, scalable methods, achieving comparable narrow emission spectra without the high production costs associated with quantum dot manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex multi-step synthesis process required for quantum dots with a simpler chemical reduction method using sodium borohydride or other reducing agents, dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a cost-effective, environmentally friendly lighting technology with improved luminescent efficiency and tunable color temperature, suitable for various applications including LCD backlighting, offering high-quality white light with reduced energy losses.
Implementation Method 1
Nanoparticles (NPs) of noble metals (noble metal nanoclusters) may exhibit fluorescence when excited with light of an appropriate wavelength
Implementation Method 2
Metal nanoclusters are fluorescent. Nanoclusters contain tens-hundreds of atoms, and are below 2.5-3.0 nm in diameter
Implementation Method 3
The phosphor may be obtained by UV-curing a mixture containing precursors to Ag NPs, photo initiators, stabilizing agents, and acrylate monomers with/without cross linking agents
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a lighting device (1) comprising (i) a light source (10) configured to generate light source light (11), and (ii) a light converter (100) configured to convert at least part of the light source light (11) into visible converter light (121), wherein the light converter (100) comprises a polymeric host material (110) with light converter nanoparticles (120) embedded in the polymeric host material (110), wherein the polymeric host material (110) is based on radical polymerizable monomers, wherein the polymeric host material comprises a poly acrylate polymer and wherein the light converter nanoparticles (120) comprise Ag (silver) nanoparticles having mean dimensions below 3 nm.