Reacción a "Reactions: Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Bawendi, Brus and Ekimov for discovering quantum dots"

Quantum dots are materials that are already applied in optoelectronics-related technologies, such as QLED TV screens. Beyond technological applications, they have important applications in biomedicine because of their advantages over classical organic dyes used to colour parts of cells. Quantum dots allow much higher light intensities. By controlling their size, you can control where you want them to emit and even go from blue, near ultraviolet, to infrared emissions, which has been exploited for night vision technology.

It is a very versatile material, ranging from applications in infrared solar cell energy to biology. In addition, synthesis processes using organic and inorganic precursors have enabled a large number of groups to synthesise these materials in the laboratory. It is not as specific a technology as silicon, which requires expensive and sophisticated facilities. Quantum dots can be synthesised in the laboratory using selenium, cadmium or even zinc oxide precursors. This award reinforces the idea that there are no technological applications without fundamental research.