Nano ePrint, along with Cambridge-based printing electronics firm Novalia, has been awarded an undisclosed amount in funding to deliver the £300,000 project, which uses 2D nanoscale technology to print electronic circuits on the cards. It works with mainly metallic oxides, a printable semi-conductor material and PET film as a flexible substrate.
The company uses embossing and stamping to create planar transistors and diodes, which it claims simplfies the circuitry on the cards, making it less visible to the eye, but 10 times more effective than conventional printed electronics.
Novalia, which was created in 2004, produces print that is "enabled with interactivity". It uses conductive inks that are sensitive to touch, light, moisture and even sound.
Creative designer Maria Menicou described one of the cards that uses this technology: "The greeting card has a picture of a cupcake with candles on it. When you pick it up, it triggers the birthday card and touching it makes it come to life.
"The candles and cupcake flicker and, when you blow on the cupcake, two of the candles go out. If you blow again, all the candles go out."
Mark Boyden, technical manager at Tigerprint, said: "Nano ePrint has overcome many of the obstacles delaying the successful introduction of printed electronic products – their unique programmable approach fits perfectly with the requirements for functional greeting cards and other novelty products, such as toys and games."
The majority of the funding for the project came from Northern Way, a joint collaboration of three UK Regional Development Agencies across the North of England.
