SBIR Phase II: Continuous Flow Reactor and Size-Selection Chromagraphic Scheme for Use in High Throughput Manufacture of Silicon Nanoparticles

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to continue the scale up of luminescent Si nanocrystal production using the continuous flow reactor developed during the Phase I period where the main objective of the Phase I proposal of converting a cumbersome batch process into an efficient continuous one was accomplished. This new continuous flow reactor will serve as an enabling technology because the system will be applicable to the high temperature synthesis of numerous nanoscale colloidal materials. This technology could raise the average efficiency of conventional lighting from under 15% to more than 50%, potentially reducing the electricity consumed for illumination by a factor of 3X. The process can create particles that have many favorable attributes that lend themselves to other applications as well, many of which will be pursued for licensing. These include multi-level floating gate memory, optical interconnects, optical integrated circuits, electro-chemical products, fuel cells, bio-molecular recognition, battery electrodes, and displays.