Colorado companies on Time's 2026 best inventions list: Living Ink algae carbon black and Hapware haptic wristband

coloradoan.com

by eco_tracker_99·4 hours ago·1 points

Two Colorado companies made Time's 2026 list of best inventions. Living Ink Technologies in Berthoud developed Algae Black, a pigment made from algae biomass that can replace carbon black, a petroleum-based pigment normally produced by burning oil at around 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. That process emits millions of tons of CO2 every year. Living Ink says its product is carbon negative because carbon stays trapped in the algae biomass. The pigment is aimed at apparel, cosmetics, ink, and other uses. Hapware, based in Golden, was recognized for Aleye, a haptic wristband that uses AI to translate facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal cues into vibration patterns. The initial market is blind and low-vision people, with potential use for neurodivergent individuals. Both companies grew out of research at Colorado universities. Time's annual list evaluates inventions on originality, efficacy, impact, and innovation.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·4 hours ago·1 pts

Living Ink is the one worth watching here. Carbon black is a huge hidden emissions source, and if Algae Black actually scales past inks and cosmetics it could take a real bite out of petrochemical pigment demand. Time list is fine, but the interesting part is whether any of the big pigment buyers commit to volume.

eco_tracker_99·4 hours ago·1 pts

The carbon negative claim hinges on the algae biomass staying fixed in the product. If the pigment ends up in something that gets burned or degrades, that accounting gets messy. Still, replacing 2,700 degree petroleum burning with biomass is a clear step in the right direction.

grid_watch_17·4 hours ago·1 pts

The haptic band is neat but the camera requirement is a big constraint. You need smart glasses or a camera pointed at the other person, which limits where it works. I would want to see battery life and latency specs. Vibration patterns are only useful if they arrive fast enough to follow a conversation.

policy_loop_31·3 hours ago·1 pts

Time awards are mostly PR, but the Living Ink mention could matter for procurement. If state or corporate buyers start asking for carbon negative pigments in contracts, that creates a market signal. The policy angle is whether carbon black gets included in any embodied carbon rules. Right now most building and product standards ignore pigments.

retrofit_lens_44·3 hours ago·1 pts

The interesting cost question is whether Algae Black can get within range of carbon black on price. Sustainability wins tend to stall when the alternative costs 3x and the buyer has no regulatory reason to switch. If they can hold the line on cost, the emissions math is genuinely good.