10039215Inert Measurement of Nanoscale SurfaceClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKQuantum Science Ltd (QS) is an award-winning nanotechnology company focusing on innovation, development and supply of quantum dot materials for semiconductor, electronics and healthcare applications. QS has developed INFIQ(r) LF-QD technologies to manufacture a new class of heavy metal-free quantum dots (QDs) which are non-toxic and environmentally friendly semiconductor nanoparticles. Our technologies also include surface engineering, ink formulations, film coating and photodiode fabrication for the heavy metal-free QDs. QS has supplied these INFIQ(r) LF-QD materials and technologies to customers for use in their optoelectronic devices, e.g., infrared photodetectors. To provide our customers with the best materials offering the greatest device performance, it is necessary to have a detailed understanding of the surface structure of our nanomaterials. This information provides feedback on the influence of our processes on the electronic energy structure of the resulting QD solids. Such insights can be obtained via direct measurement and characterisation of the nanoparticle surface, but these characterisations are not possible with off-the-shelf techniques. By working with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) who has cutting-edge facilities and specialised expertise for transferring, loading, and measuring air-sensitive samples under inert atmosphere, we aim to develop the direct measurements systems to characterise short-wave infrared (SWIR) QDs. The heavy metal-free SWIR QDs are in high demand by our customers for applications in the SWIR. Overcoming such measurement challenges will improve QS' product competitiveness, advance customers' device performance, increase sales, gain more market share, and open up new markets.