High tech ink from graphene

Electronic ink printed on a plastic film is used to create a transparent keyboard that can play music like a piano.

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Keyboard piano printed graphene - (photo: Cambridge University)

Dr. Tawfique Hasan and Professor Andrea Ferrari of the University of Cambridge have developed a graphene-based ink that meets the needs of this material, including elasticity, transparency and electrical conductivity.

The scientists designed the piano thanks to the support of Novalia Limited, and the keyboard was printed from graphene ink on a plastic film.

The keys, which act as electrodes, are connected to a simple circuit board, battery and speaker, according to Phys.org.

When a person touches a graphene electrode, the amount of charge in the key changes, creating a note.

In addition to musical instruments, professionals are confident that graphene inks can be used on printed electronics such as cardiac trackers and other thin sensors.