[28.09.2017] Dr. Ekaterina Nannen and Julia Frohleiks, who work in the junior research group “Solid State Lighting” at the “Electronic Materials and Nanostructures” group at the University of Duisburg-Essen, combined for the first time yellow LECs with blue light-emitting quantum dots. Quantum dots are colloidal nanostructures with a size of only 5 nanometers, which have exceptional physical and optical properties. The hybrid QD-LEC devices show stable white light emission while maintaining all benefits which are typical for LECs.

For this “remarkable degree of novelty”, the group was awarded with the “LED Professional Science Award” at the leading international lighting technologies event in Bregenz (Austria). The selection committee certifies the results to have a “significant impact on future research and development”.

[25.10.2016] Lighting-up a bag‘s interior or illuminating joggers from the darkness: Light-emitting electrochemical cells, LECs, provide significant benefits compared to the well-known LEDs, although appropriate light is still lacking. Up to now, only yellow light-emitting LECs are suitable for application, for white light at least one more color component is necessary. Researchers from the Center for Nanointegration (CENIDE) at University Duisburg-Essen (UDE) were for the first time able to modify specifically the emission color and improve the device performance of the LEC at the same time.

Julia Frohleiks, PHD student in the junior research group of Dr. Ekaterina Nannen, based her idea on semiconducting quantum dots, tiny structures which allow for quantum effects.

[24.08.2016] Doping of semiconductors (i.e. the intentional incorporation of impurity atoms) allows the precise tuning of the electrical and optical properties, representing the basis of the entire field of micro- and optoelectronics. Upon further reduction of the dimensions approaching the nanometer scale, doping becomes more and more challenging. Reaching the ultimate limit the question occurs, weather single dopants can generate new functionalities – the cutting-edge research area called “Solotronic”.  Recently, scientists from the “Electronic Materials and Nanostructures”-group at the University of Duisburg-Essen together with Co-workers from the Soul National University have successfully proven that a single magnetic dopant in tiny nanoclusters – built up of only 26 atoms – generates a pronounced magneto- optical response.

[01.04.2016]  New materials of atomic thickness have become popular as so-called “2D materials”. The semimetal graphene or the semiconducting MoS2 are the most prominent examples. If they are incorporated into large-scale fabrication processes, they will provide integrated and sustainable solutions for new products and production strategies. Up to now, innovative devices on 2D base are still retarded by the fragmented production chain. In the framework of the joint project HEA2D a continuous production chain is explored, encompassing deposition techniques for 2D materials, procedures for transfer to foil, large-scale integration into plastic components and eventually the development of demonstrator applications.

The research at the UDE focusses on two points: First, the growth of graphene at reduced temperatures, second, the development of innovative device concepts for light emitters based on 2D semiconductors. Partners in the research network are AIXTRON SE, the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, the Kunststoff-Institut Lüdenscheid, the Coating Machinery GmbH, and the University Siegen.

„HEA2D“ is financially supported by the European Fund for regional development (EFRE) 2014-2020.

[20.11.2015]  With a total volume of 320.000 EURO, the German Research Society supports the research project „Optical and electrical control of magnetism and magneto-optical functionality in semiconductor nanocrystals and nanocrystal devices“ for another 3 years. Goal of the project is to work out a fundamental understanding of magnetically doped semiconductor nanocrystals and to develop schemes for achieving electrical and optical control of magneto-optical functionality. Unique nanomaterials will be prepared by our key partners, Prof. Hyeon, U Seoul, and Prof. Gamelin, U Washington.