In an age when printer ink cartridge manufacturers are trying to create prints that last longer, Xerox is doing the opposite.

Some recent digging around on the web led us to a series of stories about Xerox and a type of printer paper that can erase itself. They call it Erasable Paper.

Oh, imagine the possibilities!

Xerox scientists have invented a way to make prints whose images only last one day. The goal? To reuse paper. If the prints only last for one day then the paper can be used repeatedly. Keep in mind this is a project that is in the developmental stages, but Xerox has filed for a patent on the product. If successful this technology would blur the line between paper documents and digital displays and could ultimately lead to a significant reduction in paper use.

Paul Smith, manager of the Xerox Research Center of Canda’s new materials design and synthesis lab, was quoted as:

“Despite our reliance on computers to share and process information, there is still a strong dependence on the printed page for reading and absorbing content. Of course, we’d all like to use less paper, but we know from talking with customers that many people still prefer to work with information on paper. Self-erasing documents for short-term use offers the best of both worlds.”

Xerox has estimated that as many as 2 out of every 5 pages printed in an office are for email, Web pages, and reference material. These types of things are printed for a single viewing.

So, how does it work? According to Xerox they were able to develop compounds that change color when they absorb a certain wavelength of light but then will gradually disappear. As the test paper exists now, it self-erases in about 16-24 hours and can be used multiple times.

(Source: Xerox web site press release)