UbiQD, Inc., a New Mexico-based nanotechnology development company, announced that it was recently awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant will provide $750,000 in funding over two years for UbiQD's continued research and development of quantum dot-tinted glass luminescent solar concentrator technology for electricity-generating windows.

The company was previously awarded a $225,000 Phase I SBIR grant in July 2016, the results of which were published in ACS Energy Letters in January 2018. The publication highlights UbiQD's novel quantum dot laminated glass concept and the first-ever third-party certified solar window efficiency. 

"With NSF's support we demonstrated a novel, high-performance sunlight-harvesting window concept in Phase I," said Dr. Hunter McDaniel, Founder and CEO of UbiQD. "Now with continued funding in Phase II, we plan to optimize for a higher performance-to-cost ratio, scale-up product prototypes, and deploy our windows in pilot installations."

To further accelerate glazing market exploration, UbiQD has hired Jeffrey Granato as an Advisory Board Member. Granato, who worked for DuPont for more than three decades, is a highly energetic leader with proven experience in developing new and growing markets, and has deep knowledge of the window industry. 

"I am excited to be back in the glass industry and working with UbiQD," said Granato. "Quantum dot technology has the potential to be a game-changer by turning curtain walls into solar collectors without sacrificing optical quality." 

UbiQD | ubiqd.com