News
Printed electronic greetings cards developed
A Manchester company has helped to pioneer state-of-the-art printed electronic greetings cards for Hallmark subsidiary Tigerprint.
Nano ePrint, along with Cambridge-based printing electronics firm Novalia, has been awarded an undisclosed amount in funding to deliver the £300,000 project, which uses 2D nanoscale technology to print electronic circuits on the cards. It works with mainly metallic oxides, a printable semi-conductor material and PET film as a flexible substrate.
The company uses embossing and stamping to create planar transistors and diodes, which it claims simplfies the circuitry on the cards, making it less visible to the eye, but 10 times more effective than conventional printed electronics.
Novalia, which was created in 2004, produces print that is "enabled with interactivity". It uses conductive inks that are sensitive to touch, light, moisture and even sound.
Creative designer Maria Menicou described one of the cards that uses this technology: "The greeting card has a picture of a cupcake with candles on it. When you pick it up, it triggers the birthday card and touching it makes it come to life.
"The candles and cupcake flicker and, when you blow on the cupcake, two of the candles go out. If you blow again, all the candles go out."
Mark Boyden, technical manager at Tigerprint, said: "Nano ePrint has overcome many of the obstacles delaying the successful introduction of printed electronic products – their unique programmable approach fits perfectly with the requirements for functional greeting cards and other novelty products, such as toys and games."
The majority of the funding for the project came from Northern Way, a joint collaboration of three UK Regional Development Agencies across the North of England.
Printed electronics: greetings cards
Comments
The comments below do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of printweek.com, Haymarket Media Group or its employees
'Not A Doctor' (NDCT) - 03 March 2010
Oh fantastic! Well done guys.
Are then any beneficial uses of this technology? Or is it limited to creating a bit more carbon-based substrate overprinted with metallic compounds for the brief amusement of the masses before being sent off to landfill?
Sorry to be cynical, but one wonders how much longer the human race will survive before the planet's non-renewal resources have been completely depleted and/or its water supply has been totally contaminated. Enjoy it while it lasts must be the motto.
Has it been proven now that nano-particles present no threat to health through migration into human cells?
William Joyce - 03 March 2010
I realize greetings cards are probably not a big thing on Skara Dalek, but surely the nature of this particular application is peripheral. The key is a successful application of -- we are told -- an improved variant of printed electronics by a printer. If this represents a new field of business for printers at a time when other channels are supposedly in terminal decline is that not a good thing for print?
Edna Bag - 03 March 2010
Worry ye not young Dalek, there's certain things that people can conveniently turn a blind eye too. As long as it doesn't cause an inconvience or change in lifestyle its OK. Can't be doing without lifes luxury's, its up to the next person to make the sacrifice.
Besides the environment is all better now, must be judging from the amount of 4x4's on the road, still don't worry with the drop in print volumes the carbon balance has been maintained.
'Not A Doctor' (NDCT) - 03 March 2010
Of course it's good news, WJ.
How much of it was your contribution?
William Joyce - 03 March 2010
My contribution? Dalek
'Not A Doctor' (NDCT) - 03 March 2010
Your part of the £200,000 that the RDA gave them - don't tell me you're a non-dom, WJ ???
'Not A Doctor' (NDCT) - 03 March 2010
[quote user="printweek.com"]A Manchester company has helped to pioneer state-of-the-art printed electronic greetings cards for Hallmark subsidiary Tigerprint. [/quote]
Why is the taxpayer funding the development of new products for a company the size of Hallmark?
William Joyce - 03 March 2010
Does the bunker count as non-dom Dalek?
'Not A Doctor' (NDCT) - 03 March 2010
Depends - what size press have you got in it?
To post comments please log in here