DataLase and University of Manchester launch digital printing research project

The ‘Infinity’ research and development program will drive forward the continued search for the best and most diverse portfolio of color-change pigments. It will involve work within the areas of synthetic chemistry and materials characterization to investigate the opportunities for multi-color printing of products and packaging.

Infinity is the name of DataLase's full-color technology, with Variprint a monochrome color additive enabling printing with a single color choice.

The project will operate from the company’s headquarters in Cheshire, along with the School of Chemistry and the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) at the University of Manchester. The project will form part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), a program helping businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base.

Adam O’Rourke, program manager for the project at DataLase, said: ‘This research project will supply us with the expert knowledge and world-class facilities needed to further develop our full color solution.’

As part of the research project, Marion Wrackmeyer, a member of the university’s School of Chemistry, became a research associate in November and will work on the project for the next two years. Dr Wrackmeyer has been heavily involved in numerous projects studying the chemistry of aromatic compounds, synthesis of bespoke monomers and polymers, processing and analysis of organic semiconducting materials. As part of the DataLase program, she will work within the areas of synthetic chemistry and materials characterization to produce novel color-forming pigments.