Sigma-Aldrich Signs Agreement With Nanoco Technologies Ltd
18/01/2008 No Current Property Set
Sigma-Aldrich(TM) is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with Nanoco Technologies, Ltd., a nano-materials company based in Manchester, UK, to distribute luminescent quantum dot nanocrystals globally.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sigma-Aldrich will distribute research quantities (less than 1 g) of seven core-shell semiconductor quantum dots through the Aldrich(R) Materials Science initiative of its Research Specialties business. The nanocrystals will be marketed and distributed under the brand name Lumidots(TM).
St. Louis, MO, January 17, 2008 – Sigma-Aldrich™ (NASDAQ: SIAL) is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with Nanoco Technologies, Ltd., a nano-materials company based in Manchester, UK, to distribute luminescent quantum dot nanocrystals globally. Under the terms of the agreement, Sigma-Aldrich will distribute research quantities (less than 1 g) of seven core-shell semiconductor quantum dots through the Aldrich® Materials Science initiative of its Research Specialties business. The nanocrystals will be marketed and distributed under the brand name Lumidots™.
Quantum dots (QDs) are nanometer-sized semiconductor nanoparticles that emit bright, near-monochromatic light (luminesce) under light or electrical stimulation. Emission color can be tuned by choosing nanocrystal size, making QDs ideal luminophors for cutting-edge applications including ultra-thin displays, solid-state lighting, anti-counterfeit protection, and next-generation solar cells. Nanoco developed unique manufacturing methods for making multi-gram quantities of QDs reproducibly and with precise control of size, structure, and luminescence characteristics. The new core-shell Lumidots distributed by Sigma-Aldrich have luminescence colors spanning the entire visible spectrum, in addition to good stability and batch-to-batch consistency essential for research into high-technology applications.
“The new Lumidots are an important addition to our line of nanomaterials products, providing researchers around the world reliable access to high-quality quantum dot nanocrystals. Using these materials, scientists and engineers can focus on developing applications that take advantage of the unique properties of quantum dots. This fits with the main goal of Aldrich Materials Science – we focus on materials so that our customers can focus on results,” said Dr. Ilya Koltover, Product Manager, Aldrich Materials Science.
“This is great for both companies and for global research,” said Michael Edelman, CEO of Nanoco Technologies. “It brings Nanoco’s manufacturing expertise together with the excellent distribution network operated by Sigma-Aldrich. We are excited to be working with them to extend the range of nanomaterials available to the worldwide research market. We plan to expand this collaboration by offering new ranges of quantum dots later in 2008.” Nanoco will continue to offer larger quantities of quantum dots to partners who move beyond research to development of commercial QD applications. Visit the Sigma-Aldrich Web site to learn more about the Lumidots and other nanomaterials at http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/Area_of_Interest/Chemistry/Materials_Science/Nanomaterials.html.
About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. The Company has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 36 countries and has 7,800 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning Web site at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.
About Nanoco: Nanoco is a nanotechnology company that holds patents related to industrial-scale production of Quantum Dots. Quantum Dots are fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals that can be used in a range of applications from biological imaging to next generation solar cells and displays. The University of Manchester spinout was founded in 2001 and works in partnership with technology driven corporations to bring quantum dot based applications to the market around the world. The company’s web site is www.nanocotechnologies.com.
Cautionary Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future performance, goals, strategic actions and initiatives and similar intentions and beliefs and other statements regarding the Company’s expectations, goals, beliefs, intentions and the like, which involve assumptions regarding the Company’s operations and conditions in the markets the Company serves. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Aldrich is a registered rademark of Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology LP and Sigma-Aldrich Co. Sigma-Aldrich and Lumidot are trademarks of Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology LP and Sigma-Aldrich Co.
