Future Links May 4th

EU upholds tobacco packaging regulations
Europe’s highest court upheld a law that will standardize packaging and ban the advertising of e-cigarettes. Under the new rules health warnings will have to cover 65 percent of the front and back of cigarette packaging. The rules are due to take effect from May 20, but the new packets will not be on sale until stocks of existing cartons have been cleared over the next year.
More at BBC

Scientists print disposable lasers with inkjet printers
Using inkjet printers, scientists have made laser devices cheap enough to be thrown out after a single use. While this may not sound like a good thing, disposable and replaceable lasers could actually make certain devices last longer. Organic lasers hold great promise because they are low-cost and can emit light in a wide range of wavelengths, but they are limited because the dyes degrade rapidly. With disposable lasers, the devices in which they are incorporated can last longer.
More at Live Science

Student develops simplified process to 3D print prosthetics
3D printed prosthetics have helped improve the lives of many children and adults around the world. Now, Emelie Strömshed, a Master’s student in product development at the Sweden-based Lund University School of Engineering has modified the 3D printing process for prosthetics for people who are not proficient in CAD technology. The process has already helped to create a custom prosthetic arm socket for a young girl.
More at 3D Print

Researchers print terahertz lenses
Scientists in all areas are successfully using 3D printing to advance their respective fields. Newest example: Researchers in the U.S. have used metamaterials and 3D printing to create lenses that works at terahertz frequencies. A 3D printing technique called projection micro-stereo-lithography was used to fabricate metamaterial structures in the lens.
More at Electronics Weekly

Three new HP latex printers to debut at drupa
HP Inc. has introduced the HP Latex 500 Printer series and HP Latex 1500 Printer, helping medium-to-large sign and display print service providers enhance productivity. Designed for medium-to-large PSPs with increasing print volumes, the new 64-inch (1625mm) HP Latex 560 and 570 Printers enable customers to manage a variety of print jobs and peaks in production at a low upfront investment. HP will demonstrate the new HP Latex printers alongside its broad portfolio of large-format and sign and display solutions on 31 May – 10 June in Hall 17 at drupa 2016 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
More at Graphic Repro Online

How to compost label is designed to limit contamination
Many people would like to compost packaging but there are certain issues that render the practice less effective than desired. Contamination is currently one of the most vexing problems with collection, causing what looks like a trend in compostable foodservice-ware refusal by composters. GreenBlue’s Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) is working in a How2Compost label to make composting packaging easier for consumers. One of the goals of How2Compost is to help educate those needing to source-separate food scraps and compostable packaging.
More at Packaging Digest

New on the drupa blog: 3D printed innovation wins awards for start-up
Felix Kochbeck is a passionate snowboarder. But whenever he filmed his most thrilling moments with a small action camera, the results fell short of his expectations. There was too much camera movement, which gave the films an amateurish look. He then decided to go the do-it-yourself-route and develop a self-stabilizing handheld camera mount using 3D printing technology.
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