New methods are being developed in Finland, under VTT's direction, for the economical mass production of bioactive paper products, among others based on printing technology
The development is accelerated by organizing a joint conference with Canada's Sentinel Bioactive Paper Network.
The objective of both networks is to develop completely new types of products which, for example, detect and deactivate pathogens like salmonella and Sars.
Nearly 40 representatives of Sentinel Bioactive Paper Network are joining with the respective amount of Finnish network representatives.
The focus of the conference is to find solutions to some of the technical challenges that still exist and on accelerating the development of commercial applications.
Sentinel's scientific director, and the professor of chemical engineering in Canada Research chair in interfacial technologies and at McMaster University Robert Pelton mentions that one possible application could be for instance a strip of paper which could immediately identify the presence of contaminates in drinking water.
According to Tomi Erho, senior research scientist at VTT, this conference marks an important milestone in developing new bioactive paper products.
By joining the forces of a large group of highly skilled researchers and by sharing knowledge and skills, the research parties believe to progress faster towards their goal.
Customers may have access to the first simple applications within five years.
Bioactive paper is a product that includes functionalities based on the selective reactions of biomolecules, such as enzymes or antibodies.
The application possibilities are extensive and less expensive than products that are in the market today.
They consist of indicators or sensors attached to filters, food product packaging or personal health diagnostics.
In printed intelligence applications, the paper's competitiveness lies in the fact that it is biodegradable, which is important in terms of sustainable development.
The project involves a network of research partners, including Abo Akademi, HUT, and the University of Lapland.
It is funded by Tekes, VTT and UPM-Kymmene, Tervakoski, Ciba Finland, Hansaprint, Medix Biochemica, Orion Diagnostica, Starcke Securities, and Eagle Filter.
The project will end in the spring of 2009.
Sentinel - network's industrial partners include Ahlstrom, Fujifilm Dimatix, Sun Chemical, and Cascades.
The Finnish project is one of the key projects of the Centre for Printed Intelligence, initiated by VTT in 2006.
The centre's purpose is to introduce new innovations and market initiatives between the traditional ICT and paper industries by combining IT, electronics and printing technologies.
The goal is to promote the commercialisation of products and to create new business aimed at the global markets.
