This talk identifies conditions under which a cognitive/technical object becomes an expression of genericity. The generic status of Quantum Dots (QD)in nanoscale science and technology is today a combinatorial product of four components: 1. the concept of confinement; 2. specific physical objects originating in material science technologies and related experimentation work; 3. the classification of related substances having similar dimensional characteristics into a single closed category; 4. development of downstream market consumables. The concept of quantum confinement in semiconductor materials emerged during the 1970s and acquired a measure of theoretical and soon experimental strength during the 1980s. Quantum confinement refers to the modification of electron-exciton properties within a material smaller than the dimensions required for unfettered behaviour; in the case of electron and excitons, the space is in the range of about 2 nm. Unusual electronic and optical behaviour is observed in such a dimension which does not exist in the natural world. The physics of quantum confinement is linked to the development of zero, one and two dimensional objects which were synthesized for the first time in the 1980s and 90s through the introduction of new technology. Genericity cannot be established on the basis of a single species of object or instrument. It must associate a number of material substances sharing foundational characteristics. The Quantum Dot, a zero dimensional object, belongs to a larger, general category termed " low dimension systems " that includes nanowires (one dimensional) and the nano well and nanotubes (two dimensional). Finally, nowadays quantum dots have become increasingly important devices in opto-electronics, biophysics and in solar energy due to their nanostructured innovative behaviour and capacity. One observes here that QDs extend vertically through the research concept, research object and research tool axis, and that they extend horizontally across multiple domains of the consumer market axis. The development of genericity is a historical process mobilizing a heterogeneous complex of combinatorials. We suggest that QD as a generic material is a consequence and conjunction of quantum confinement theory, low dimensional materials and a species of research objects comprises a pivot of genericity inside nanoscience and technology, and that this genericity both fuels the nano field and constitutes one of its key signatures.