Date: Aug 17, 2011 Author: Rodney H. Brown Source: bizjournals (
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Rodney H. Brown
QD Vision Inc. of Watertown reports it has won a $900,000 development contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to make a pair of prototype devices based on its quantum dot infrared materials.
The nanotechnology company will deliver to DARPA a device with quantum dots as an emissive layer in an electroluminescent electronic device application, and a second, photoluminescent device that is based on a film that is activated by external light sources. Both will be based on QD Vision's quantum dots — semiconductor nanocrystals that can be set to emit light at specific wavelengths.
In May, QD Vision raised $22 million in a funding round to expand its quantum dot technology. The financing was backed by new investors Passport Capital, Novus Energy Partners and Capricorn Investment Group LLC, as well as return backers North Bridge Venture Partners, Highland Capital Partners, DTE Energy Ventures and In-Q-Tel, CIA's investment arm.
That followed two other recent fundings — in December, QD Vision closed on a $10 million financing round from North Bridge Venture Partners, Highland Capital Partners and In-Q-Tel. About one month later, the company added $3 million from DTE Energy Ventures to help expand the market for its technology for LED lighting and displays products.
Last summer, QD Vision named former Emo Labs Inc. CEO Jason Carlson as president and CEO.
