Calicut University Researchers Develop Next-Gen LED Using Gold-Copper Nanoclusters
In a remarkable advancement in next-generation lighting technology, researchers at the University of Calicut have developed an innovative LED device based on gold-copper alloy nanoclusters, marking a major milestone in sustainable electronics.
The research, led by Dr. Shibu Sidharth and his PhD student Dr. Rival Jose from the Department of Nanoscience and Technology, has resulted in the creation of a nanocluster-based LED (NC-LED) that emits saturated pure red light with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 12.6% — one of the highest ever reported in its category.
This breakthrough has been published in Advanced Materials (Wiley), one of the world’s top-ranked journals in materials science, with an impressive impact factor of 27.4. This marks the first time a research article from the University of Calicut has featured in such a high-impact international journal, signalling the institution’s growing presence in global scientific innovation.
A Nanotechnology Breakthrough
The core of the innovation lies in atomically precise nanoclusters comprising a gold-copper (Au-Cu) alloy. These minuscule clusters, invisible to the naked eye, showcase extraordinary photophysical properties including high photostability, intense light emission, and environmental friendliness.
Unlike traditional LEDs that often use toxic or expensive rare-earth materials, this novel LED is fabricated using a simple, solution-processed, and eco-friendly method. This not only enhances sustainability but also enables scalability — a crucial factor for commercial viability.
Dr. Shibu Sidharth, the lead scientist, emphasized the dual significance of the research:
"This work not only advances the frontier of nanocluster-based LED efficiency, but also proves that groundbreaking innovation can come from Indian state universities. It's a proud moment for the University of Calicut and for India."
Academic Excellence and Collaboration
Dr. Sidharth’s academic credentials further underscore the weight of this discovery. A graduate of St. Thomas’ College, Thrissur, he earned his PhD under the mentorship of Padma Shri Prof. T. Pradeep at IIT Madras. He has previously held prestigious fellowships in Japan and France, and served at CSIR-CECRI before joining the University of Calicut as an assistant professor in 2021. He is also a recipient of the SERB Ramanujan Fellowship.
This research reflects strong interdisciplinary and international collaboration, with contributions from leading institutions including IISc Bangalore, IIT Madras, Tampere University (Finland), and Hokkaido University (Japan).
Implications for the Future
The new NC-LED technology has potential applications far beyond conventional lighting. With its high efficiency, sustainability, and safety, it could revolutionize areas such as energy-efficient displays, environmentally friendly lighting, and biomedical imaging.
Researchers are now focused on enhancing efficiency further and expanding the LED’s colour range, with the long-term goal of transforming the global LED landscape through nanocluster-based technologies.