TANAKA Develops Lead-Free Precious Metal Quantum Dot Material for Near-Infrared and Short-Wave Infrared Sensing Through Joint Research with Nagoya University

TANAKA Develops Lead-Free Precious Metal Quantum Dot Material for Near-Infrared and Short-Wave Infrared Sensing Through Joint Research with Nagoya University

Appropriate for a Broad Range of Infrared Sensing Applications, from Smartphones to Biomedical Uses, with Samples Available from January 2027

TOKYO, Oct 20, 2026 – (JCN Newswire) – TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Koichiro Tanaka), a business took part in the commercial rare-earth elements organization of TANAKA, has actually established a lead-free rare-earth element quantum dot product responsive to near-infrared light through joint research study with the Torimoto Laboratory at Nagoya University, Tokai National Higher Education and Research System. The brand-new product uses a detection wavelength variety similar to that of traditional lead-based quantum dot products while consisting of neither lead (Pb) nor cadmium (Cd). This makes the product assuring for usage in customer electronic devices such as mobile phones and in medical fields such as biosensing. Samples are arranged to appear in January 2027.

This product will exist at Okinawa Colloids 2026, a worldwide conference to be kept in Okinawa from November 1 to 6, 2026, and at nano tech 2026: The 26th International Nanotechnology Exhibition & & Conference, to be held from December 16 to 18, 2026.

Background to Development

Infrared noticing innovations are significantly being used in a large range of fields, consisting of 3D noticing and wearable gadgets, facial acknowledgment on smart devices, commercial assessment electronic cameras, vehicle LiDAR, and biosensing. These infrared noticing applications count on photodetector products that are delicate to infrared light.

For these applications, indium gallium arsenide(InGaAs)has actually traditionally been utilized as the main photodetector product. It can spot infrared light at wavelengths of up to 1,700 nm with high level of sensitivity, its production procedure is complicated, including the usage of vacuum procedures, and yield and expense throughout mass production stay obstacles. Need for indium (In), on the other hand, has actually just recently been proliferating in advanced fields such as next-generation high-speed interaction semiconductors for AI information centers, perovskite solar batteries, and mobile phone display screens. Indium production is minimal relative to require, raising issues about steady supply.

On the other hand, quantum dot products (semiconductor nanoparticles) made from lead sulfide (PbS) are being checked out as an option to traditional InGaAs for infrared photodetection. These products can be produced at low expense utilizing printing procedures while supplying high picking up efficiency.

Quantum dots are semiconductor particles a number of nanometers in size. Their distinguishing characteristic is that the wavelengths of light they soak up and produce can be changed by managing particle size. When incorporated into sensing units, they can likewise be transferred utilizing printing procedures ideal for large-area production. Sensing units can for that reason supposedly be made at roughly one-tenth the expense of InGaAs sensing units. PbS, a representative quantum dot product, consists of lead, a compound controlled under the RoHS Directive, and its usage in customer electronic devices is for that reason limited. These limitations show issues over the results of lead on human health and the environment.

To resolve these difficulties, TANAKA and Nagoya University have actually established a next-generation lead-free quantum dot product made up mostly of rare-earth elements.

Functions of the Precious Metal Quantum Dot Material Developed by TANAKA

Established by TANAKA through joint research study with Professor Torimoto of Nagoya University, this substance semiconductor quantum dot product is made up mainly of rare-earth elements and is delicate to infrared light. Like other quantum dot products such as PbS, it needs no vacuum procedure and can be transferred utilizing printing procedures ideal for large-area production. It is for that reason anticipated to streamline the production procedure and minimize procedure expenses.

In efficiency examinations performed by TANAKA, the recently established silver-sulfur-tellurium (Ag-S-Te) quantum dots were integrated as the active layer (photodetection layer) in a basic photosensor, which attained an optimum external quantum effectiveness (EQE) of 18.4% for short-wave infrared (SWIR) light in the 1,200– 1,700 nm wavelength variety. This wavelength variety is less prone to sound from sunshine and the results of unfavorable weather condition, making it possible for high-precision noticing outdoors. Light in this wavelength variety likewise uses higher eye security and easily permeates products and biological tissue.

This advancement is anticipated to allow useful applications throughout a vast array of fields where the adoption of high-performance infrared sensing units has actually formerly been restricted by expense and lead constraints. These consist of customer electronic devices such as smart devices (3D picking up for facial acknowledgment and other functions), vehicle LiDAR, commercial examination video cameras, and biosensing.

In addition to photodetector products for SWIR noticing, TANAKA is establishing luminous products for infrared applications utilizing extremely biocompatible aspects. This quantum dot product can be used to targeted imaging, in which particular sores or cells are made to give off light for high-precision visualization. Due to the fact that rare-earth element quantum dot products include no dangerous compounds with high toxicity to living organisms, such as lead or cadmium, they likewise reveal guarantee for biomedical applications.

Quantum Dot Material Customization and Recycling Technologies

Through joint research study with Nagoya University, TANAKA has actually been establishing innovations for managing quantum dot product structure and particle size and for customizing particle surface areas. By utilizing these innovations, TANAKA will use optimum quantum dot products customized to client requirements and applications, consisting of personalized optical homes such as light absorption and emission and enhanced procedure compatibility.

In addition, although rare-earth elements are utilized as the main parts of this quantum dot product, TANAKA’s long-established rare-earth element recycling innovations will help in reducing product expenses. By recuperating and fine-tuning rare-earth elements from scrap created throughout production and from utilized samples following consumer assessment and screening, TANAKA will help in reducing preliminary examination expenses throughout intro and enhance running expenses throughout mass production.

Future Outlook

This advancement will assist understand safe and sustainable next-generation noticing innovations by offering a product that does not utilize indium, for which supply restrictions are an issue, or lead, which is controlled under the RoHS Directive, and is anticipated to be well matched to mass production through printing procedures. Making use of its long-established rare-earth element products innovations, TANAKA will continue enhancing the efficiency of rare-earth element quantum dot products and establishing applications, while pursuing real-world application in fields varying from next-generation noticing to biomedical applications.

About Nagoya University

Nagoya University is an extensive university with a history covering more than 150 years, tracing its roots to a short-term health center and school developed in 1871. Under its custom of a “free and open-minded” scholastic culture, the university advances education and research study at the greatest international requirements. Through continual innovative activities in research study and education, the university pursues its objective of cultivating bold intellectuals, enhancing its scholastic structures, creating first-rate intellectual accomplishments, and adding to society.
For more details, please go to https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp/

About TANAKA

Because its structure in 1885, TANAKA has actually constructed a portfolio of items to support a varied series of organization utilizes concentrated on rare-earth elements. TANAKA is a leader in Japan relating to the volume of rare-earth elements it manages. Over several years, TANAKA has actually produced and offered rare-earth element items for market and offered rare-earth elements in such kinds as fashion jewelry and properties. As rare-earth elements experts, all Group business in Japan and around the world team up on production, sales, and innovation advancement to use a complete variety of services and products.
With 5,778 staff members, the group’s combined net sales for the ended December 2025 were 1,097,813 million yen.

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News release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20261020_EN.pdf

Source: TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.
Sectors: Metals & Mining, Electronics, Materials & Nanotech

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