Cambridge has developed technology to remove toner from paper

This is a technology that allows you to use a sheet of paper several times - it just wipes off what is written, and you can print in a new way. Given the current print volumes of various kinds of documents in large and not-so-large companies, this technology can become quite popular. It uses a normal sheet of paper with text printed with conventional toner. Developers used paper from Canon, and the printer - from HP (one of the models of HP LaserJet). Business has not yet reached the commercial use of technology, but the working concept is already ready and shows excellent results.

In the course of work, scientists have learned how to simply evaporate toner from the surface of a sheet, after which there are practically no traces of printing. In order to achieve acceptable results, experts tested several laser systems, and also worked with different types of paper, ink and toners. To check the result, not only a conventional microscope was used, but also an electron microscope. While working on the project, the specialists found out that the best characteristics of the laser beam are 532 nm wavelength and 4 ns the pulsation time of the beam.
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Before getting an acceptable result, scientists went over a lot of laser options. Sometimes the power was too great, and then the sheet of paper just went bad. Sometimes - the power is simply not enough. Were tested and ultraviolet light, and infrared, and the visible spectrum.

According to the developers, the number of erase / print cycles can reach 3-5. After that, the paper begins to deteriorate, turn yellow, and then its reuse becomes impossible. According to scientists, the process of evaporation of toner is harmless to humans. Unfortunately, the technology, despite the demonstrated effectiveness, is not yet ready for commercial use. Works only laboratory installation, which is imperfect. But now, from the laboratory to the store shelves, figuratively speaking, one step. It is necessary for some large company to become interested in the project, and it will quickly “reach out” to condition.

In the meantime, to use all this in a regular office is still far away.

Via bbc