3D Printers can now Produce LEDs

Hat Tip: c|net

C/net isn't one of my usual sources when blogging on this site, but the story is interesting enough to deserve mention.

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a 3D Printer capable of printing LEDs in layers.  The bottom layer is a ring made of silver nanoparticles (used to conduct electricity.)  This is followed by a couple of polymer layers and then a layer of cadmium selenide nanoparticles in a zinc sulphide case.  The top layer is an eutectic gallium indium cathode.

The cadmium selenide layer is known as a quantum dot, and is what actually produces light.  The color of light produced by a quantum dot LED depends on the size of the dot.  Quantum dot LEDs are capable of producing any wavelength of light in the visible spectrum.  The manufacturer just needs to produce a dot of the correct size.

The ability to produce any color of light means that quantum dot LEDs can be used in devices like computer displays.  (They are actually small enough that they could conceivably be used to put a display on a contact lens.

They also appear to produce better color, brighter light with lower power consumption than current LEDs.


For photographers that could lead to LED displays on cameras that produce images that are easier to see in sunlight with lower power consumption than current displays.  It could also lead to brighter artificial light sources with better color.  There would also be lower power consumption. 

Computer monitors might also benefit from the technology.  Better color, brighter display and lower power costs?  (And possibly no color management.)

What photographer would turn that down?