September 27, 2008

Xerox is certainly on the cutting edge of paper technology. A decade ago, the computer industry was forecasting an end to paper altogether, and the term "paper technology" seemed a paradox. It is evident as a society we like to hold and touch our documents, instead of just viewing them on an electronic display. There's something to be said for physically holding a document, and this "something" has kept paper in an evolving state, even in our high-tech society.

We should also note this erasable paper by Xerox would reduce paper consumption dramatically, giving environmentalists a reason for a big thumbs-up to Xerox. Most of the paper we print up in our homes and offices are for short-term viewing purposes. From printing up grocery lists to emails, to distributing non-important news at the office, erasable paper can take care of the many repetitive printing habits which are putting a large demand on paper supply.

- DigitalDingus

Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) is unveiling its erasable paper to the public for the first time at WIRED NextFest, a showcase of global innovations that are transforming the world. The experimental paper can be printed on again and again, reducing paper use in the office and cutting back waste.

Other breakthroughs in the Xerox display that minimize environmental impact include a printing technology that reduces waste by 90 percent and low-cost water purification that uses less energy than conventional methods. Xerox will also demonstrate printing techniques that make it harder to produce counterfeit documents.

"Xerox has a heritage of discoveries that changed how people interact with information and how businesses communicate,” said Sophie Vandebroek, chief technology officer and president of the Xerox Innovation Group. “At WIRED NextFest we are revealing advances that you might not have expected from Xerox – technologies that not only help our customers, but will help the world become more sustainable.” Vandebroek is headlining a NextFest innovation conversation this afternoon, discussing ways to foster a culture that enables talented, creative minds to succeed.

Xerox’s erasable paper is coated with chemicals that react to light of a specific wavelength. When the paper is exposed to that wavelength, it creates visible text on the page. Within 24 hours, the paper erases itself and can be used again – good news in offices where 40 percent of all printouts are discarded the day they are printed.

Xerox’s unique solid ink technology is based on colored ink sticks that melt and become liquid inside a printer. In a single, efficient pass, images are printed on a rotating drum and offset onto paper, producing an average of 90 percent less waste than a comparable laser printer. The new Spiral Water Filtration purification technology was developed using the company’s expertise in manipulating toner particles for printers at the Palo Alto Research Center, a Xerox company. It uses centrifugal force to filter out particles as small as five microns, reducing the land, chemicals and energy used in a typical filtration process. In fact, more than 90 percent of the water emerges fit for use after filtration. PARC has completed its experimental work and is looking for a partner to implement a pilot installation of the process.

Xerox’s anti-fraud technologies are designed to deter unauthorized duplication or scanning of valuable documents. They include hologram-like words or images, words that are so small they must be read with a magnifying glass, and text that only becomes visible when exposed to ultraviolet or black light.

About Xerox Xerox Corporation is the world's leading document management, technology and services enterprise, providing the industry's broadest portfolio of color and black-and-white document processing systems and related supplies, as well as document management consulting and outsourcing services. Xerox’s products, solutions and services help companies and individuals manage their information. Last year Xerox was awarded the National Medal of Technology, the highest technology award in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.xerox.com/innovation.

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