Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Number one on the no-fly list

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                   

Paper Rewritable

Monochrome photo paper clearer than the eye can see.
  (+3)
(+3)
  [vote for,
against]

A photo paper which uses DVD Rewritable technology to print extremely crisp monochrome photos. The paper has a dye layer that can be changed from light to dark and back by a high power laser. Whereas DVD labeling/unused space printing uses blank DVDs, this would use special paper (actually plastic in the shape of a photo) and a laser beam. The resolution would be 1 bit 32,000 DPI.
Amishman35, Oct 30 2006

e-Paper http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-paper
Mono and polychrome versions available - few commercial applications exist, with the exception of a couple of handheld text-readers from Sony. [zen_tom, Oct 30 2006]

Xerox Seeks Erasable Form of Paper for Copiers http://www.nytimes....in&pagewanted=print
The researchers describe the invention as being based on compounds that can change color when they absorb a certain wavelength of light, but can then gradually revert to their original appearance. The compounds currently self-erase in about 16 to 24 hours, or can be erased immediately when heated. [xaviergisz, Nov 27 2006]

Scientists Have Invented Paper That You Can Print With Light, Erase With Heat, and Reuse 80 Times https://science.sla...-and-reuse-80-times
[xaviergisz, Feb 07 2017]

[link]






       Sounds like you're describing a thermal printer, to me.
st3f, Oct 30 2006
  

       There's that new lcd paper stuff - and it works without all those lasers - I don't know what the resolution is though.
zen_tom, Oct 30 2006
  

       kudos, best idea I've read in quite a while.   

       Because of the ultra-fine resolution, you may also be able to print diffraction patterns and holograms.   

       However it may be difficult to implement. In a DVD burner the read/write laser only has to move on a single axis. This invention would require fine motor control in 2 axes (assuming you're talking about rectangular media without a big hole in the centre).   

       Note for searching for similar inventions: printing on the blank space of DVDs with the burner is also known as 'pit art'.
xaviergisz, Oct 30 2006
  

       Fair point, Ian, but it'd be surprised if laser solutions aren't amongst those being considered in the many possible products that fall under the heading of epaper.
st3f, Oct 31 2006
  

       Toshiba just annouced the release of this today. "Paper" is reusable 500 times and only costs £5 per sheet.....
ham_on_a_roll, Nov 27 2006
  

       // reusable 500 times and only costs £5 per sheet..... //   

       Which works out at GBP£0.01 per print, in 2006.   

       Current (2017) prices for basic white A4 paper are around GBP£0.005 per sheet.   

       It would be worth finding out what the current economics are - they might be more favourable by now.
8th of 7, Feb 07 2017
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle