title: Concept of heat-induced inkless eco-printing.
abstract: Existing laser and inkjet printers often produce adverse effects on human health, the recycling of printing paper and the environment. Therefore, this paper examines the thermogravimetry curves for printer paper, analyzes the discoloration of paper using heat-induction, and investigates the relationship between paper discoloration and the heat-inducing temperature. The mechanism of heat-induced printing is analyzed initially, and its feasibility is determined by a comparative analysis of heat-induced (laser ablation) printing and commercial printing. The innovative concept of heat-induced inkless eco-printing is proposed, in which the required text or graphics are formed on the printing paper via yellowing and blackening produced by thermal energy. This process does not require ink during the printing process; thus, it completely eliminates the aforementioned health and environmental issues. This research also contributes to related interdisciplinary research in biology, laser technology, photochemistry, nano-science, paper manufacturing and color science.
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Urban Systems Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
authors.forename: Jinxiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering & Automation, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hang Zhou 310018, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Urban Systems Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Art and Design Academy, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hang Zhou 310018, China.
authors.forename: Chuang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Urban Systems Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: International Institute for Urban Systems Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zu
mesh_terms: D006358:Hot Temperature; D011327:Printing; D013818:Thermogravimetry