Ink-jet dots form transistor spots

If microcircuits could be printed with ink instead of being sculpted into silicon, electronic smarts could adorn almost everything. When electronically tagged, even grocery items could, without being scanned, transmit prices to cash registers.

How about using ink-jet printers to do the job? Loaded with electrically active ink, printers can already make light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for display screens.