A Curtin University professor has discovered a new eco-friendly alternative to LED lights in a bid to expand sustainable lighting options.

Quantum Dots are tiny particles have optical properties that emit small blue colour when exposed to light, creating a brighter and longer lasting solution. The lights last up to 30 000 hours.

Professor Guohua Jia, head of Curtin’s Molecular and Life Sciences school, collaborated with researchers from the University of Shanghai, Jillian, Fudan, TCL Research and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

He says Quantum Dots are offer an environmentally friendly alternative to other LED light sources.

“For this type of quantum dot its eco-friendly because it contains properties that aren’t toxic such as traditional LEDS that contain cadmium, which is highly toxic,” he says.

“In this work we use more friendly material that contains selium sulphur which makes this material more green and more compatible, these Quantum Dots have record efficiency and have a longer lasting lifetime.”

Doctor Guohua Jia says his team had to overcome several challenges in finding this new discovery.

“At the beginning of the research, we discovered certain elements didn’t mix very well and caused an unstable chemical reaction. Later on we figured out by adding a small amount of sulphur element it created these types of blue LEDS,” he says.

 Curtin sustainable engineering student, Racheal Donholm says this is a win for the planet and a step closer towards global sustainability.

“Finding a different way to light up the planet and increase sustainability that doesn’t harm the planet is great, hopefully it takes over LEDS in the future,” she says.

“Helping protect the resources of the planet for the future generations that will inhabit it so yeah I think this new discovery is a win for the earth.”