Cheap, Printed RFID
New RFID tags with circuitry deposited by simple printing technologies could finally make it cost effective to tag low-value products on retail shelves. The printing process eliminates the need for expensive optical lithography and reduces the consumption of energy and toxic materials, cutting costs: the tags cost less than half as much as existing ones. Mobile phones with built-in RFID scanners could let consumers access information about tagged products, or even pay for them without waiting in line.

Courtesy of Kovio
Product: Kovio HF (13.56 MHz) printed integrated circuit
Cost: Around 3 to 5 cents
Source: www.kovio.com
Company: Kovio
Keep Reading
Most Popular
This new data poisoning tool lets artists fight back against generative AI
The tool, called Nightshade, messes up training data in ways that could cause serious damage to image-generating AI models.
The Biggest Questions: What is death?
New neuroscience is challenging our understanding of the dying process—bringing opportunities for the living.
Rogue superintelligence and merging with machines: Inside the mind of OpenAI’s chief scientist
An exclusive conversation with Ilya Sutskever on his fears for the future of AI and why they’ve made him change the focus of his life’s work.
How to fix the internet
If we want online discourse to improve, we need to move beyond the big platforms.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.