PaperCraft, or WitchCraft?

Have you ever seen the movie “Aeon Flux”? I have, and didn’t really rate it that much to be honest but something interesting that was in it for a brief scene has actually come one step closer to reality. There was a moment where Aeon used a public kiosk and it printed out a small slip of paper, which she proceeded to fold in half and use as a mobile phone.

Crazy Sci-Fi stuff, huh! well not anymore. Seems some scientists at a Swedish University have invented “Talking Paper”. By using a combination of conductive inks (which are also sensitive to pressure) and what can only be an occult incantation, they’ve managed to print circuitry and speakers on paper.

“When you approach the billboard and put your hand on a postcard that shows a picture of a beach, you can hear a very brief description of that beach.” Says Mikael Gulliksson, who led the research project to BBC News.

Electronics are printed on the paper with conductive inks that when touched relay information to a small microprocessor (tautology FTW!) which then sends sound files to the printed speakers. They then have another layer of paper with whatever is required printed on it (ads or what-not) and the whole thing is strengthened by a layer of thick cardboard on the back.

Apparently the whole manufacturing process is quite expensive at the moment, but work has begun on simplifying and down-sizing the technology.

The applications for this won’t just be limited to in-store adverting. Have you seen those electronic learning book things? They’re very popular, but require a big gaudily coloured device, plus books/cartridges with electronics built into the spine. These seem a prime example of where this could be implemented. And obviously, erotic novels and top-shelf magazines that moan when you touch them are just a small step away from being a reality.