Work on display and audio demonstrators underway at Nano ePrint

Sara Ver-Bruggen - 20 Nov 2009

A UK printed logic start-up will develop demonstrators, with government funding, based on its nano-stamping technology

The £234,000 (€260,000) investment from the UK government will be combined with £156,000 of other funding Nano ePrint has raised, from venture capital and additional grants, to commercialise its technology.

Nano ePrint's technology is based on a process that can print nanoscale planar logic components from semiconductor materials processed into inks.

According to CEO Scott White, over the next 6-9 months the company will work closely with partners to develop simple displays, logos and artwork. These will comprise Nano ePrint's logic configured to operate OLED and other display technologies, possibly even a thin-film speaker for an audio demonstrator.

The company recently produced a demonstrator of core logic components - transistors and diodes, using its favoured material at present - zinc oxide. Metal oxides not only have good electrical properties but are also clear, a beneficial attribute for some applications the company is working on.

To develop the demonstrators and also accomplish other objectives, White is recruiting six new members of staff, some in engineering.

End users in consumer goods and also markets that could use the technology to develop novelty products are working with Nano ePrint to guide the company's work. Says White: 'We want to create something that these companies see as having real commercial potential and not just for the sake of it.'

In the next few weeks and months, some of Nano ePrint's commercial and technology partners may also publicise the work they are doing with the company.

Once the demonstrators are designed and built, scaling up will be the focus. White says an advantage of the technology is that commercial press and high-volume production systems such as those use in hologram production can be deployed.

Nano ePrint was spun out from the University of Manchester in 2006. White joined as CEO in 2007, having led several other technology start-ups and ventures globally.