Dr. Sudhagar is a researcher working for the Department of Materials Engineering at Swansea University in the United Kingdom, whose work is currently focused on the application of quantum dots in the energy, environmental and healthcare sectors.

So, what exactly is a quantum dot? Dr. Sudhagar explains that a quantum dot is an inorganic semiconductor material that ranges from one to 10 nanometers in diameter–which is 14,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Following quantum mechanical behavior, the quantum dot has many applications, including land harvesting, cancer nanomedicine, and solar energy. For example, placing a quantum dot in water and under sunlight causes the water to split into its component parts of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. In addition, it is significantly cheaper than similar, organic materials, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

Also discussed is one of the challenges presented by the existence of toxic cadmium sulfide in quantum dots. How do we go about garnering the uses of quantum dots while preventing the toxicity of cadmium sulfide? Dr. Sudhagar provides two solutions. Tune in to hear his answers to this question and many more.