Space Flight Polymer Adapted To Form Printing Ink

The UK's first Centre for Industrial Collaboration in Digital Print has won two awards for innovation in printable ink technology.

The UK's first Centre for Industrial Collaboration in Digital Print has won two awards for innovation in printable ink technology.

Digital Print CIC, based at the University of Leeds' department of colour and polymer chemistry in the UK, created a printable ink version of a what is described as a revolutionary material, which is now being used by NASA in the USA.

Discovered by Boroughbridge research and development specialist firm Peratech, the QTC (quantum tunnelling composite) material is said to be a virtually perfect insulator and metal-like conductor.

The touch, sound and smell sensitive polymer had potential in a variety of applications from NASA's 'robonaut' hands for vital structural and research work in space exploration, to fashionable in-sleeve iPODs in clothing.

However, it needed a printable ink version to ensure practical application in the market place.

Peratech's technical director, David Lussey, commented: "Digital Print CIC's expertise on ink and dye formulations, specifically in relation to printing on films and textiles, has been invaluable in developing our QTC product to meet wider commercial applications.

The team brought sound business sense and technical know-how to the process of developing our innovative product." The collaborative project has now received two awards for innovation, the product innovation award and the people's award for innovation, from Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Digital Print CIC was also shortlisted for the international collaboration award for its work with DuPont.

David Williams, commercial manager for Digital Print CIC, said: "This is testimony to excellent teamwork, bringing together an incredible invention from Peratech with our expertise in ink and dye technology.

That expertise is enabling us to collaborate with almost 200 clients across the UK, not only on printed textile products, but also anti-counterfeit and brand protection systems." Product testing and further development of the QTC material is continuing between Peratech and Digital Print CIC, with future applications expected to include touch sensitive paper, which will speak its contents for visually impaired people.

Digital Print CIC, under the directorship of Professor Long Lin, is now in its second year of operation and is building working alliances with printing groups, including DuPont and X-Rite.

It has also successfully introduced a colour master course for the printing industry, operating through the University of Leeds and the Leeds College of Printing Technology.

Digital Print CIC is one of 12 centres of industrial collaboration established to bring business and academic expertise together in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Established by Yorkshire Forward, the network is said to be unique in the UK and has so far resulted in ,1,400 collaborations and generated GBP50m research income.

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