The test produces a line on the paper that appears depending on whether haemoglobin is present in a sample placed on it.
The researchers say that the printed paper test could also be adapted to different purposes by exchanging the antibody printed on the paper for another.
The technology could be applied to produce a rapid diagnostics tests in the healthcare market, or to bring additional features to packaging or labelling. The technology also presents new possibilities for ensuring product authenticity.
The bioactive paper research has been funded by Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, with support from commercial partners UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Tervakoski, BASF, Orion Diagnostica, Hansaprint, Oy Medix Biochemica, Starcke Securities and Eagle Filter.

Comment: assessing the future of Britain’s road network
It seems to me, as I drive around, that a significant proportion of potholes are not actually potholes at all, but sunken grids and manhole covers....