The concept of 3D printing is astounding to most people above a certain age, who still retain the ability to be surprised by technology. Earlier this month a story broke of scientists at Heriot-Watt University using the technique to produce stem cells for medical research (One Californian executive newsletter referred to scientists in "...the UK and Scotland" - seems the result of the referendum has been leaked already!).
In addition to helping to save lives, the technology can help save the planet. A company in Oxford has developed a way of printing photovoltaics so thin they can be applied to the surface of windows. The development has been pioneered by Oxford Photovoltaics, a University spin-off company, which has now announced further funding from 'cleantech' venture capital company MTI Partners. Last year the company was one of the 16 'Best of British' cleantech companies forming a trade mission to California's Silicon Valley to showcase UK (and Scottish!) innovation.
• The funeral of Reg Presley is taking place today. It a lovely happenstance that the creator of the classic Love is all Around should bid us farewell on St Valentine's Day. Elsewhere, however, this special day for romantics is being exploited for more prosaic motives. The supermarkets are pushing their 'dine in for £X' offers and flogging flowers at inflated prices, while even the V&A is getting in on the act – apparently, 20% of people claim to have fallen in love in a museum.
A visit to the Twittersphere will show you how environmentalists are also capitalising on the marketing opportunities offered by the day of lovers. Passion in World Farming has sent cards to MEPs on behalf of ill-used dairy cows and The Environmentalist has launched a dating site, in blatant contravention of the principle that opposites attract ("You may think that saving the rainforest is a more effective way to counter climate change than developing alternatives to fossil fuels, but I still love you!").
The cutest offering is from Buglife, which has Tweeted a picture of the 'true lover's knot' moth with its heart-shaped wing markings. Be careful, though, when entering the Soil Association's competition to find the best reason for buying organic products – make sure you spell #LoveOrganic right!
The Independent had to lower the tone, of course. It featured the story of a species of sea slug with what it describes as a 'disposable penis'. Apparently the organ falls off after mating, to be regrown 24 hours later. Might cause potential divorcées to rethink their revenge strategies.
• The scandal of the horsemeat in burgers (and lasagne, and...) lumbers on, with a lovely headline in The Guardian's environment site: French government suspects firm sold horsemeat labelled as beef, it says. Don't half catch on quick, this French government! Seriously, though, did the people who bought these things think they were getting prime fillet steak lovingly hand-ground? I want to know who's been putting pork in my sausages.
Chris Stokes