A team of researchers from the University of Calicut has made a significant advancement in lighting technology with the development of unique gold-copper alloy nanoclusters. These tiny materials, which are invisible to the human eye, demonstrate outstanding properties that could change the future of lighting and display technologies, as well as improve biomedical imaging.
The project, led by E.S. Shibu, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Nanoscience and Technology, along with his PhD student Rival Jose, focuses on creating a new type of light-emitting diode (LED). The nanoclusters they developed are known for their strong light emission, stability under various conditions, and compatibility with the environment. This makes them excellent candidates for sustainable applications in the field of technology.
What sets this research apart is its innovative and eco-friendly fabrication method. The researchers used a simple solution-based process that avoids toxic and costly materials, making it both sustainable and cost-effective. The nanocluster-based LED can emit pure red light and boasts an impressive quantum efficiency of 12.6%, a remarkable achievement in the world of non-doped LEDs.
These findings were recently published in Advanced Materials, a highly regarded journal in materials science with an impact factor of 27.4. This publication marks a milestone, as it is the first time the University of Calicut has been featured in such a prestigious journal.
The success of this research was bolstered by collaborations with leading institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, Tampere University in Finland, and Hokkaido University in Japan. It was supported by various funding agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology and the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.
The development of these nanocluster LEDs has the potential to pave the way for more sustainable lighting options and enhance display technologies, while also offering new possibilities in biomedical imaging. The work of Shibu and Jose represents a promising future in nanotechnology and its application in everyday life.
– Rashmi Kumari
