New Electronic Labels Could Alert You When Your Milk Spoils

Awesome new development via SmithsonianMagazine.

Coleman and his team have created the first-ever printed transistors made entirely of 2D nanomaterials. In other words, they’ve made totally flat electronics that can potentially be printed extremely cheaply. These printed electronics could have any number of uses. They could, for example, be used to replace traditional price labels in a supermarket. Instead of having an employee with a label gun walking around changing prices, electronic labels could update themselves automatically. They could make passports that renew themselves, or wine bottles that tell you when they’re being stored at too warm a temperature. As in the Harry Potter scenario, they could be used to make moving newspapers, posters and book jackets.

Coleman sees this technology merging with the Internet of Things to make even the most ordinary items connected. Your carton of milk could now have internet connection through its label, speaking directly to your smartphone to tell you when it’s begun to run out or go bad. Your bedroom window could offer continuous weather updates.

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