Dr Kate Stone was educated as an engineer and scientist. After completing her PhD in Physics at the University of Cambridge she joined a local startup focused on printing polymer transistors. This introduction to ink-jet printing led to a curiosity of all forms of printing. She founded Novalia in her garage, converting it into a microelectronics ‘cleanroom’ exploring how one of the oldest and most pervasisve forms of manufacturing, printing, could be used to add magical and intuitive interactive experiences to every day objects; seamlessly blending the digital and physical worlds. With hindsight she now realises this journey began when she was a child when she hid switches, wires, speakers and microphones under her bed, behind shelves and even inside her father’s favorite book for no other reason than ‘what if’. She admits to having always been a little strange! She has told the stories of this journey and the work we have all created as a team to audiences around the world. Taking to the TED stage twice where in the first talk she described her childhood journey with technology, how she become a sheep herder before going to college, and then used printed paper DJ decks to remix a drum bass track sung by her niece. In the second talk she describes a freak accident that left her in a coma after an unfortunate encounter with a wild deer and the British tabloid press, spoiler: they all survived! As a regular keynote speaker she tells of our projects to inspire others with how creativity can push the boundaries of what is possible when we combine art, design, science and technology to create innovative and magical experiences.

Chris Jones is Novalia’s Chief Operating Officer and has been involved with printing electronics since 2000; developing early conductive ink formulations for commercial ink companies before joining Novalia in 2010 as the ink and print expert. He brings along over thirty years practical print & packaging experience from within the global inks & coatings industries. He is passionate about the myriad of possibilities that print still holds in a digital age. His work is hands-on, leading Novalia’s production and process development, working closely with materials and production suppliers to develop consistent, repeatable manufacturing processes.