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Printing, the final frontier
Award winning print technology heads into space
Experts at the UK's first Centre for Industrial Collaboration in Digital Print have won two prestigious awards for innovation. Digital Print CIC, based at the University of Leeds' Department of Colour and Polymer Chemistry, created a printable ink version of a revolutionary material, which is now being used by NASA.
Discovered by Boroughbridge-based research and development specialists Peratech, the QTC (quantum tunnelling composite) material is both a virtually perfect insulator and metal-like conductor.
The highly touch, sound and smell sensitive polymer had potential in applications including NASA's Robonaut hands but a printable version was required to ensure practical application.
Peratech's technical director, David Lussey, said: "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 project has received two awards for innovation: The Product Innovation Award and the Peoples Award for Innovation, from Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber.
Testing and development are continuing, with future applications expected to include touch sensitive paper and heat sensitive clothing.
