Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) based on a composite film of electron donor and acceptor materials have attracted great interest because of their promising features such as light weight, mechanical flexibility, and low-cost printable manufacturing. We have successfully developed an ultra-flexible OPV that shows high power conversion efficiency of 10% under AM 1.5G lighting. Moreover, ultra-flexible OPVs can be integrated into textiles through a hot-melt process at 100 ℃ without causing any degradation.

An enzymatic biofuel cell is a fuel cell in which enzymes are used as catalysts for fuel oxidation and reduction reactions. Enzymatic biofuel cells have attracted attention as next-generation energy harvesters and self-powered wearable biosensors as they are able to generate electricity from body fluids components at room temperature and near-neutral pH levels. In this review, we discuss high-performance printable biofuel cells that can generate electricity with sugar and lactate as fuel. Notably, we discuss a paper-based biofuel cell that has the advantages of being economical, lightweight, and easy to handle and dispose of. Paper is basically composed of cellulose fibers; thus, it can absorb body fluids into its hydrophilic fibers without an active pump. These characteristics are ideal for the continuous supply of body fluids. By applying screen printing, an arranged structure with a simple design can be easily fabricated. For example, by connecting five cells in series, a voltage of 3 V can be achieved without using a booster circuit. A 5-series cell can be used as a self-powered diaper biosensor that generates electricity from glucose in urine and measures glucose levels. Moreover, 4-series/4-parallel lactate biofuel cells that generate electricity from lactate in sweat to measure lactate levels are very promising for future applications in athletic care tools.

Printing is not only used in the paper industry, but also in the food, automotive, and electronics industries. Its application is expanding as various technologies are demanded to achieve high-quality results. For example, ultraviolet (UV) curing and plasma treatment play a vital role in achieving high-quality printing on many types of substrates. Recently, UV light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) have replaced UV light lamps and have enabled energy savings because of their higher emission efficiency. Although it is desirable to modify the formulation of inks to suit light sources, users want to continue using the same inks as before. Printing quality is also influenced by the surface properties of the substrates. Likewise, surface hydrophilization is important to improve the wettability of the substrate. In this article, we introduce the use of UV light and plasma as the energy that affects printing quality. First, we describe the UV curing reactions and simulation to estimate the degree of surface and depth cure. Next, we discuss the potential of shorter wavelength UV light and atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma to improve the ink adhesion to substrates.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) comprises carbon sp3 and sp2 bonds deposited by methods such as plasma chemical vapor deposition. Therefore, DLC has a highly smooth and inert surface, making it a promising candidate for biocompatible surface processing of medical devices that do not interact with biological materials. In general, the mechanical properties of medical devices are obtained by combining various materials such as metals, ceramics, and polymers; however, most medical devices are recognized by organisms as foreign matter, resulting in problematic biocompatibility. Here, we discuss the medical applications of DLC coatings that are both biocompatible with these organisms and durable. In particular, we explain the state-of-the-art technologies implementable in the interdisciplinary field of medicine and engineering by studying examples such as artificial blood vessels and coronary artery stenting.

RAIN RFID is a global alliance promoting the universal adoption of UHF RFID technology. Voyantic is a company that provides test and measurement solutions for the RFID industry. RAIN RFID use has grown significantly in recent years, along with its use in the IoT field and is expected to exceed 30 billion by 2022. In the retail industry, RAIN RFID is used to check the storage location and inventory of goods. Additionally, it is also used in markets such as manufacturing, logistics, medical care, and aviation. RFID is also used in the labeling market and is growing faster than the printed label market.

It is becoming clear that 3D Printing, or ‘additive manufacturing’, is an emerging technology that will reshape, redefine and possibly disrupt, the traditional supply chain model. As the value propositions inherent in additive manufacturing become more viable and available, traditional supply chain understandings will be seriously challenged and most probably transformed into more localised and introspective systems. However, given that no system can be entirely isolated from the environment in which it operates, this paper looks closely at the special human capability impacts and the resultant changing interdependencies that might reveal themselves within the additive manufacturing areas as the constraints and shared knowledges of traditional supply chains are made increasingly redundant.

The onset of globalisation, in parallel with the rise of the Information Age, is currently challenging the workforce status quo and questioning the appositeness of existing models which guide different countries' approach to human capability development. Further, the economic rise of regional trading blocks such as ASEAN, are creating new challenges for governments regarding the effects of digitisation impact on the stability of the traditional labour-intensive workforce. In this changing and uncertain context, it is important to consider how many areas will meet the challenges of human capability development and competency standards which will be largely driven by outside bodies. Here, we have chosen the digital printing industry for close inspection, and enquire how local areas, in a global context, might prepare their workforce for the future. With the effect of globalisation challenging previously contained understandings, what does it mean to build and codify a new sort of working knowledge that will transcend historical cultural boundaries? Whilst reflecting on this issue, this paper looks closely at the implicit and explicit challenges and opportunities of building a Body of Knowledge for the digital printing industry as their workforce becomes more globally mobile and relevant, while at the same time being required to meet occupational standards and competency levels which are externally mediated.