Future Links December 16th 2014
Today our news roundup from the printing industry covers SCA’s new one-sided coated paper, a historic novel about the beginnings of the printing press, a nature-inspired 3D sports car, Heidelberg’s growing momentum, organic electronics for inexpensive medical sensors and interactive paper and smart inks as the way of the future.
SCA introduces new one-sided coated paper
SCA’s new product, Solo Print, is the newest addition to SCA’s sustainable packaging product family. It is specially developed for flexible packaging but also suited for bags, wrapping paper, flowpack and banners. It is certified for direct contact with dry and fatty food.
More at Packaging Europe
Historic novel explores the roots of the printing press
The holidays are approaching and if you are still looking for a gift, we have an idea: The historic novel Gutenberg’s Apprentice by Alix Christie. The novel illustrates the efforts to print the whole bible and shows the workings in the first large-scale printing operation. Despite a lot of character description and historic detail, the real hero of the story is the printing press.
More at The Washington Post
Nature-inspired 3D printed car gets closer to becoming a reality
The German design studio EDAG is working on a new concept for a printed car that took its clues from nature. After EDAG presented its GENESIS concept at the 2014 Motor Show in Geneva, the new Light Cocoon concept optimizes the topology, while still leveraging the previous generative, biomimetic designs of the previous concept. The result is a sports vehicle that is as light as scientifically possible, without sacrificing structural integrity.
More at 3D Printing Industry
Heidelberg gains momentum going into the new year
Heidelberg has reported plenty of sales in recent months, according to an article in Print Monthly. Companies all across the industry have opted to invest in Heidelberg kit as a way of boosting their own service offering.
More at Print Monthly
Organic electronics could lead to cheap medical sensors
To measure blood oxygen saturation, doctors usually attach a clip to a patient’s finger. Scientists at UC Berkeley have now developed a way to measure blood oxygen on the go without attaching rigid traditional electronics. By using organic, or carbon-based, design, the researchers were able to create a device that could ultimately be thin, cheap and flexible enough to be slapped on like a Band-Aid during that jog around the track or hike up the hill.
More at Printed Electronics World
Interactive paper and smart inks are the way of the future
Not too long ago, QR codes seem to be the ultimate innovation in smart packaging. Yet, there are certain limitations and new smart forms of packaging are poised to bring a better, more interactive experience to the customer. They include smart inks, interactive paper and near-field communication.
More at What They Think?