INNovation
Nanoco Technologies originated at the University of Manchester
Initially this process , which Pickett patented , was used to produce cadmiumbased quantum dots . But the method was swiftly refined to prepare quantum dots free of cadmium and other toxic heavy metals . At the time it was the only company in the world capable of producing large quantities of cadmiumfree quantum dots , and it is now the only manufacturer able to respond to large bespoke orders .
Not SO heavy metal Nanoco ’ s cadmium-free production process is good news for consumer health , and most regulators agree that TVs and other household items shouldn ’ t use toxic heavy metals . However , some obstacles must still be overcome .
One shortcoming is an exemption to the EU ’ s Restriction on Hazardous Substances directive . This regulation
controls the use of cadmium in many consumer electronic devices and it was one of the reasons Nanoco worked so hard in the first place to ensure its process is cadmium-free .
“ There ’ s currently an exemption in place on the ban which allows continued use of cadmium as a colour-converting material in displays ,” Pickett says . “ This was due to expire , but despite the fact that an overwhelming vote in the European Parliament supported the ban , the European Commission has instead decided on another round of consultation , which effectively keeps the exemption in place . And that ’ s a shame , because all it ’ s going to do is allow the cheap import of Chinese-made cadmium-tainted televisions into Europe .” ■
nanocotechnologies . com
Cadmium ( Cd )
Cadmium ( atomic number 48 ) is used in electronic equipment , car batteries , and pigments . The European Union ' s Restriction on Hazardous Substances ( RoHS ) specifies maximum levels for Cd as < 100 ppm . It is one of six substances banned by the RoHS directive , which regulates hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment but allows for certain exemptions and exclusions from the scope of the law .
At the time it was the only company in the world capable of producing large quantities of cadmium-free quantum dots
54 | UKSPA breakthrough | SPRING 2017