Revolutionizing Paper: Infrared Ink Enhances Digital Interaction

In a groundbreaking development, researchers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Adobe Research have unveiled innovative technologies that integrate infrared ink into paper and other materials, transforming traditional documents into interactive digital tools. This advancement, presented at the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Yokohama, Japan, promises to redefine how users interact with printed materials and everyday objects.

The leading technology, known as Imprinto, employs invisible infrared ink to embed data into printed documents, allowing for the seamless integration of digital content without altering the visible appearance of the page. "Imprinto uses an infrared ink that is invisible to the human eye but detectable by means of a near-infrared camera, such as those that can be integrated into mobile devices by simply modifying the photographic sensor," explains Dr. Raúl García Martín, a researcher at UC3M's Department of Electronic Technology.

This system enables readers to access additional information such as videos, links, or translations through a mobile app, enhancing the utility of traditional paper. The absence of visible markers eliminates clutter, maintaining the aesthetic integrity of documents while offering a practical upgrade to conventional print media.

The implications of this technology extend beyond mere convenience. The potential applications of Imprinto are vast, spanning educational materials, where textbooks could reveal interactive content, to business documents that can dynamically update. As the technology matures, it could lead to an era where physical documents serve as smart interfaces, fostering a more intuitive user experience.

In parallel, the research team has introduced VeinGoOne, a USB-C-connected camera designed for medical applications. This innovation utilizes near-infrared imaging to visualize blood vessels beneath the skin in real-time, significantly aiding healthcare professionals in locating veins for injections and improving biometric identification processes. Dr. García Martín elaborates, "The system aims to analyze the images captured in real time, allowing not only 2D visualization but also 3D reconstruction of vein depth using techniques such as stereoscopy or Time-of-Flight."

Another noteworthy development is BrightMarker, which embeds invisible fluorescent labels in 3D-printed objects, creating a means to store digital data that becomes visible only under specific lighting conditions. This technology can be applied across various industries, including logistics and manufacturing, enabling better tracking and enhanced user interactions with products. For instance, a piece of furniture could display assembly instructions only when viewed with a special light, or museum artifacts could provide educational content when scanned with augmented reality devices.

The researchers envision a future where mobile phones may be supplanted by smart glasses or contact lenses equipped with infrared cameras, allowing users to interact with their environment in novel ways. As Dr. García Martín notes, "Technologies such as Imprinto, BrightMarker, and VeinGoOne will allow users to interact with physical objects and documents in a digital, intuitive, and personalized way."

This vision reflects a culmination of expertise in human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, and materials science. By merging these fields, the researchers have developed practical tools that are compact and efficient, poised for integration into everyday devices.

As infrared technology shifts from specialized applications to broader consumer use, these innovations are set to reshape our interactions with the physical world. The potential for transforming education, healthcare, and logistics underscores the significance of these advancements, highlighting a future where the digital and physical realms coexist seamlessly. The findings and further details of this research are available on the UC3M website, marking a significant step towards a smarter, more interconnected world.