Innovation is pivotal for businesses to remain globally competitive. Naturally then it has been a key talking point throughout the year. From the commercial opportunities of graphene to clear 3D printing and flat wine bottles, here are the top 10 innovation stories of 2018! Whether manufacturing personalised surgical guides, eye-catching consumer packaging, cutting-edge prototypes or anything in between, there are numerous advantages to 3D printing in transparent plastics. The new materials being designed, manufactured and supported have pushed clear printing to the boundaries of what's possible, offering ultra-high transparency, moisture and temperature resistance, biocompatibility, robustness and performance.

From January 14th until Valentine's Day, Alexa will offer dating advice to those who ask. Matchmaking company Three Day Rule put together 30 dating tips that Amazon Echo users can summon by saying, "Alexa, ask Three Day Rule for today's tip." Three Day Rule's advice runs the gamut from swiping fatigue on apps to encourage you to talk to strangers in real life. TDR's advice is meant to get you out of your comfort zone and away from habits that could be "negatively impacting" your dating life. "Today, you are going to walk up to three strangers you find attractive and strike up a casual conversation," Alexa chirps confidently in one clip.