Compact glovebox with ample workspace used by Quantum Dot startup QDI
Using a glovebox to create quantum dots for use in a bleeding-edge medical application? That is what Dima Bederak is doing at X-ray detector startup QDI Systems. They are using Laser 2000’s glovebox to work with chemicals and materials that are sensitive to oxygen and water. In this article, we talk about the technology QDI Systems is developing, their challenges in scaling up and why they chose for this glovebox. Dima even shares some benefits of the glovebox that he discovered while working with it!
“If you want to be successful and contribute something to the world, you have to solve a lot of difficult tasks”
At QDI Systems, Researcher Dmytro (Dima) Bederak is working on a novel X-ray detector based on colloidal quantum dots. QDI is a spin-off from the University of Groningen and the Zernike Institute where Dima completed his master's degree as well as his PhD in nanoscience.
Quantum Dot X-ray detector
“QDI Systems was started through the university’s Venture Lab by founder Artem Shulga. I was already working on quantum dots and had numerous discussions with Artem about the technology and ideas, so it made sense to continue my work at the company after finishing my PhD. I could stay in the university lab [at first] and just switched employers, the 31st of August was my last day as a PhD student, September 1st was my first day at QDI.
At QDI, I am now working on making real world application of this technology possible, which, not surprisingly, comes with its own set of challenges. In academia you just have to prove that the technology works through, for example, in a few pixels device, but in order to use it in larger imaging devices we have to scale everything up. That is what the R&D team that I’m a part of is working on.”
Scaling up
“The first application that we are working toward is mammography. We have chosen this application because we think the technology can have the biggest impact, improving early-stage diagnostics by providing higher-quality images at a lower cost. Every step of this development requires new equipment and comes with its own challenges, we are tackling those one by one.
At the same time, we are in close contact with various manufacturers of X-ray devices. They are very enthusiastic about our technology, one even called it ‘biggest technological improvement of the decade’. That is partly because, while regular X-ray device manufacturers need to work in cleanrooms or with high-vacuum machines, our technology is useable ‘in air’ and is based on solution-processable deposition. That significantly lowers the cost of our technology compared to the regular X-ray technology. At the same time, our material is more sensitive enabling us to achieve a higher resolution, so our technology delivers a higher quality image at lower cost and with lower radiation dose for the patients. Their enthusiasm further fuels our ambition to get this technology ready for real world applications.
Using a glovebox to create quantum dots
“When I started my PhD, I found out that a bottle of just 100 mg of quantum dots was very expensive. And with X-ray technology requiring a relatively thick film of quantum dots at the substrate, the cost of the quantum dots would quickly become a limiting factor. So, at QDI Systems we decided to start manufacturing those ourselves. And a key instrument for that is a high-quality glovebox.
The lab space we were working at before Covid hit was well-equipped, but when we had to move out, it became necessary to equip our own empty lab rather quickly. That meant that fast delivery times were an important requirement besides a well-designed, practical glovebox. We found what we needed through Laser 2000.”
Advantages of the Laser 2000 glovebox
“Working in various laboratories, we already had a good sense of what we were looking for in a glovebox. We were looking for a compact, low-footprint glovebox that had a big ante-chamber. And at Laser 2000, we found exactly what we needed, a glovebox that we could lease and that would be delivered quickly. Everything except the pump is located under the glovebox which means that the glovebox takes up the minimal amount of space.
Laser 2000 helped us by setting up the glovebox and has been answering our mostly technical questions very quickly and clearly. That’s a factor we didn’t consider beforehand, but it is such a relief that we can contact Laser 2000 with any technical questions, they are really helping us use this device optimally.
Another thing that I have since learned to love about the glovebox is that its detectors for oxygen and water are solid state detectors. With other brands, these will have to be services but this device is completely maintenance free. The solvent trap and the purifier obviously have to be regenerated every now and then but that is very easy as well. We couldn’t be happier with the glovebox and Laser 2000’s service.”
Would you like to know more about our glovebox or other laboratory products? Please contact Svante van der Rijst via svante@laser2000.nl or +31-297-266191. He is our specialist in, among other things, gloveboxes and would be happy to tell you everything there is to know.
