From SHIVA JAGGERNAUTH
Your list of the 10 best inventions from your Feedback summer competition
(19 September) was very interesting. In fact, the idea submitted by Steve
Anastasi about a printer’s ink which, when subjected to a catalyst, breaks
down into a clear substance, thus avoiding expensive de-inking plants when
recycling paper, inspired me to work out a solution to this problem.
The complex of starch (amylase) with iodine, which is blue-black, is
very stable under room conditions and at high temperatures. This can be
used as the inexpensive ink. To remove the ink when recycling, you simply
spray the enzyme a-amylase onto the paper. This will completely remove
the ink in a matter of minutes. The paper is then heated to destroy the
enzyme and so can be reused as new paper.
Shiva Jaggernauth Trinidad, West Indies
