Quantum dots as light harvesting antennae in biological systems

This could be an interesting application of quantum dots in light harvesting. A group of scientists have reported a way to transfer light energy through quantum dots into reaction centers of a biological system.This can potentially lead to more efficient photosynthetic systems. Until recently dendrimers with porphyrins or organometallic complexes had been used in these systems. Quantum dots have a broader light energy absorption window and are expected to have higher photo stability than these materials.

Carbon Nanotubes for RFID

University researchers recently have demonstrated use of carbon nanotubes in making RFIDs which could drastically bring down the cost of rfid manufacturing in the near future.

Over the past few years, silver has been the candidate of choice for RFID tags. But as we all know silver is expensive and there has been efforts to replace this with cheaper materials. Copper is another desired choice though its spontaneous oxidation at nanoscale has been a hindering factor to use copper nanoparticles in these applications. In the past few months, companies such as Applied Nanotech and Novacentrix have come up with technologies to print copper nanoink formulations.

With carbon nanotubes entering the race, it will be interesting to see the developments in bringing down the costs involved in this technology as well as flexible printed electronics in the next few years.