Xerox has invented invisible ink! This is pretty cool.

It was announced this week that Xerox has developed an invisible ink that fluoresces under ultraviolet light and can be used by most commercial printers. Developed by the Xerox Innovation Group, the invisible ink is created by using a special combination of toners that creates the effect by using inks that react with the fluorescent agents paper manufacturers use to make their paper seem brighter.

What is the benefit of this?

Well, a four color digital printer can print anything it normally would, but could also print an individual identifier on each document using a fluorescent identifier. The best news is that it would seem there is no need for new printers, just new toner cartridges that hold the updated toner powder.

This technology has immediately been compared to that which is used to print currency (watch out!). High denomination bills are printed with a fluorescent coloring, but the equipment used to print money is very expensive. This technology allows for users to use it at a relatively low cost.

The ramifications of this are big. Let Pacific Ink know what you think.

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)