Future Links July 21st 2015
Here are our daily links with the most important news from the printing industry. Today they feature a wireless smart cap for milk cartons, new research on graphene inks for batteries, tips for switching suppliers for wide format digital inks, BASF’s work on artificial 3D printed skin, a partnership between Citizen Systems Europe and Datalogic, the challenges of structural packaging innovation and a debate about who decides what paper to use.
Wireless smart cap for milk cartons detects spoilage
This is one of the most promising new developments in 3D printing: Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley worked together with engineers from Taiwan’s National Chiao Tung University to expand their portfolio of 3D printing technology to include electrical components, such as integrated wireless electrical sensing systems. The scientists put their findings to the test and developed a 3D printed cap for milk cartons that detects signs of spoilage using embedded sensors.
More at Phys.org
Researchers work on graphene ink for printed energy storage devices
Graphene has many desirable properties such as strength and flexibility but its high conductivity makes the material especially interesting for printed electronics and batteries. Researchers at the Manchester Metropolitan University are developing techniques to allow for the rapid 3D printing of energy storage devices using conductive graphene ink. The work is supported with 500,000 British Pounds from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
More at The Engineer
Tips for switching suppliers for wide format digital inks
In an in-depth article, FESPA looks at the pros and cons of switching suppliers for wide format digital inks. While most equipment makers want customers to use their inks, there are good reasons for using third party inks under certain circumstances, for example when converting the printer from one use to another or when printing on textiles.
More at FESPA
BASF partners with Poietis to print artificial skin
After L’Oréal has announced its collaboration with Organovo to print artificial skin, BASF said that it is working with Poietis to improve the production of Mimeskin, the artificial skin BASF has already used for testing purposes. Poietis’ 3D laser-assisted bioprinting technology allows more precise positioning of the skin cells in 3D structures and will almost halve the time it takes to produce Mimeskin.
More at tce today
Citizen Systems Europe and Datalogic form strategic alliance
Global printer manufacturer Citizen Systems Europe and Datalogic, a producer of barcode readers and mobile data collectors, have entered a strategic alliance intended to deliver a range of integrated data capture and printing products. The market was asking for integrated solutions and Citizen Systems Europe and Datalogic are working together to respond to this need.
More at Labels & Labeling
The challenges on the way to structural packaging innovation
New packaging can invigorate a brand or fall flat of expectations. An article looks at some successful examples of packaging innovation and at how consumers can help in pointing out flaws and finding a solution that works for them.
More at Packaging Europe
Up for debate: Who really chooses paper?
In a new episode of the UK vs. U.S. duel at Print Media Centr, the arguments focus on the question: Who really chooses paper? Is it the print buyers, the press makers, the paper merchants or the paper mills? Matthew Parker from the UK and Deborah Corn from the U.S. will exchange their viewpoints.
More at Print Media Centr