US Patent 8021008 - Solid state lighting using quantum dots in a liquid

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8021008.html

In LED and lighting applications quantum dots are most often formed within a thin film or solid matrix material which can diminish the effective photoconversion efficiency. This patent from ABL IP Holding teaches an alternative system in which the quantum dots are maintained in a liquid medium to improve the efficiency. Claim 1 reads:

1. A lighting apparatus for providing general lighting in a region or area intended to be occupied by a person, the lighting apparatus comprising:

a source of light of a first spectral characteristic of a light intensity for a general lighting application;

a reflector having a reflective interior surface for directing light from the source in a direction to facilitate said general lighting application in the region or area; and

a liquid containing quantum dots, for producing a wavelength shift of at least some light from the source to produce a desired second color characteristic in light output from the lighting apparatus.