Key Takeaways:
- UbiQD study published in Materials Today Sustainability reveals major productivity gains in controlled-environment agriculture
- Funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and conducted at UC Davis
- Quantum dot-laminated glass increased lettuce biomass by nearly 38% without added energy
- Results confirm potential for passive spectral optimization to enhance sustainable greenhouse production
UbiQD and UC Davis Demonstrate Breakthrough Results in Quantum Dot Agriculture
UbiQD, a leader in quantum dot (QD) materials, announced the publication of peer-reviewed results from a landmark greenhouse study funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Conducted at the University of California, Davis, the study shows that UbiQD’s luminescent QD-laminated glass significantly enhances plant growth, nutrient uptake, and energy efficiency in controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) systems—without electricity or mechanical input.
“New data supports our vision for integrating light-optimizing technologies into agriculture at scale,” said Eric Moody, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at UbiQD.
The findings, published in Materials Today Sustainability, mark the first deployment of quantum dot-integrated structural glass in agriculture. This represents a new iteration of the UbiGro greenhouse technology and provides strong evidence that spectrum-optimized glass can enable higher yields and more resilient food production, particularly in cold or energy-limited regions.
Key Findings from the USDA-Funded Study
The UC Davis experiment compared two matched greenhouses: one equipped with laminated quantum dot glass and one with standard greenhouse glass. Over a full winter lettuce growth cycle, UbiQD’s UbiGro glass achieved:
• 37.8% increase in fresh biomass
• 38% larger leaf area and root length
• 41% higher light-use efficiency
• Significantly elevated nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Mg, Zn, Cu)
• 61% increase in red:blue spectral ratio with no PAR loss
“For glass greenhouse farmers looking to boost output while reducing energy inputs, this is a breakthrough,” said Hunter McDaniel, PhD, CEO of UbiQD. “These results prove that the sun can be engineered passively through QD-infused glass to deliver more productive, resilient, and sustainable food systems.”
“It’s incredibly validating to see these spectral shifts result in measurable improvements in plant performance,” added Moody. “Our film products are already delivering strong results in commercial greenhouses around the world, and this new data supports our broader vision for integrating light-optimizing technologies—like our upcoming glass innovations—into agriculture at scale.”
UbiQD Technology and the Future of Sustainable Food Systems
The study positions spectral engineering as a new tool for sustainable intensification amid global challenges in food, water, and energy. With agriculture accounting for over half of habitable land use and nearly 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, UbiQD’s passive, light-modifying glass offers a pathway to boost yields without increasing inputs.
The peer-reviewed paper, titled “Spectrally selective quantum dot laminated glass for photonic modulation and climate regulation in greenhouses,” describes UbiGro glass as “a promising pathway toward climate-smart greenhouse envelopes that integrate photonics with sustainable food and energy strategies.”
UbiQD’s research and product development continue to bridge advanced photonics with global agricultural sustainability, aiming to deliver scalable solutions for growers and food systems worldwide.
Read the full paper here.
