UbiQD, a player in quantum dot technology and manufacturing from New Mexico, announced it will acquire perovskites startup BlueDot Photonics. The deal enables UbiQD to secure exclusive rights to BlueDot's intellectual property, which was originally developed at the University of Washington.
UbiQD will use BlueDot's doped perovskite materials to enhance silicon solar panel efficiency and performance.
"Solar power remains the backbone of the renewable energy transition, but the industry still faces efficiency and cost constraints," said Hunter McDaniel, Founder and CEO of UbiQD. "BlueDot pioneered a transformative approach with quantum cutting -- essentially multiplying usable photons to enhance energy capture. By bringing their technology into our portfolio, we're positioned to accelerate next-generation solar materials and drive meaningful efficiency gains at scale."
UbiQD works with quantum dot technology in the solar space. Quantum dots are semiconductor nanoparticles that exhibit high-efficiency photoluminescence over a wide range of tunable colors, making them effective at optimizing light spectra. In 2023, UbiQD partnered with thin-film solar manufacturer First Solar to explore ways to incorporate quantum dot technology in advanced solar panels. The company was also awarded an Advanced Energy Pilot Program by the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department to bolster UbiQD's advanced solar energy innovation and commercialization. In early 2024, UbiQD initiated a collaboration with Los Alamos National Lab to explore quantum-enhanced materials for clean energy applications.
"Bringing our work to UbiQD is an exciting next step for this technology," said Jared Silvia, Co-Founder and CEO of BlueDot. "Our mission has always been to push the boundaries of solar efficiency, and UbiQD has the expertise, infrastructure and industry partnerships to bring this to market at scale."