Sony develops printable bioplastic FeliCa Smart Card
05 December, 2007
category: Contactless, Health
Sony has developed a bioplastic version of its FeliCa contactless smart card that can be used for photo ID cards and other applications that involve printing. Smart cards made from plant-derived plastics do not take printing well, so applications to date have been limited to uses like health insurance cards. Instead, Sony uses a proprietary additive to strengthen the plant-derived plastic and covers the card with a thin sheet of petroleum-derived plastic on which photos and lettering can be clearly printed. The result is an environmentally friendlier FeliCa contactless smart card. Sony is also working to modify the bioplastic to accommodate the holographic patterns and contact-type smart-card chips of credit cards and cash cards.
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