Abstract: An optical print head includes a plurality of lasers having laser emissions within a desired wavelength range, a beam splitter and/or a multi-mode optical fiber adapted to receive combined output light from the plurality of lasers and to direct their combined output light in a first beam direction. A holographic or hybrid holographic optical element is adapted to focus the combined output light within the desired wavelength range into a spot with non-Gaussian irradiance on the medium for recording. A sensor may be disposed along a second beam direction to detect modulated light from the medium.

Abstract: A freeform fabrication system preferably includes low-density particles, a cationic polyelectrolyte component, an anionic polyelectrolyte component, and a polar solvent-based binder capable of stimulating a reaction between the cationic polyelectrolyte component and the anionic polyelectrolyte component to form a low-density particle-bound polyelectrolyte complex.

Abstract: An optical print head for recording on a medium includes a plurality of lasers having laser emissions within a desired wavelength range, an optical fiber adapted to receive combined light from the plurality of lasers at a first end and to emit combined output light at a second end, and includes a hybrid optical element optically coupled to the second end of the optical fiber and adapted to focus the combined output light within the desired wavelength range on the medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing permanent ink-jet images are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a media substrate coated with a porous media coating, wherein the porous media coating comprises inorganic porous particulates, and wherein at least a portion of the inorganic porous particulates have a first reactive group covalently attached thereto. The system further includes an ink-jet ink containing a dye, wherein the dye comprises a second reactive group, and wherein the first reactive group and the second reactive group are configured to react with one another upon contact to form a covalent bond.

Abstract: A method for creating a three-dimensional solid freeform fabrication object with non-reactive powder includes spreading a non-reactive powder on a substrate, selectively dispensing a reactive resin onto the non-reactive powder forming a mixture of reactive resin and non-reactive powder, wherein the selective dispensing of the reactive resin defines the three-dimensional object, and curing the reactive resin thereby encapsulating the non-reactive powder.

Abstract: A fusible print medium having a photobase layer, a vehicle sink layer, and a colorant-receiving layer. The colorant-receiving layer includes core-shell polymer particles that have a hydrophilic shell and a fusible hydrophobic core. Upon exposure to a sufficient heat, the colorant-receiving layer inverts from a porous, hydrophilic surface into a continuous layer that encapsulates colorant in hydrophilic domains. A method of forming the fusible print medium and producing a photographic quality image is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coating includes an antenna uniformly distributed in both a matrix and a leuco-dye phase of the coating. A method for preparing an imaging material includes providing a powder having an activator and an antenna, dissolving the activator/antenna powder to form an activator/matrix pre-polymer solution, providing a leuco-dye alloy, and dispersing the leuco-dye alloy into the activator/matrix pre-polymer solution to form a radiation-curable paste. An image-recording medium includes a matrix having an antenna and an activator, and an alloy dispersed in the matrix as an independent phase. The alloy includes an antenna, a leuco-dye, and an accelerator.

Abstract: A transparent, protective overcoat for a printed medium achieved with a thermal transfer material on a carrier ribbon that is heated and pressed to transfer a segment of thermal transfer material from the carrier ribbon onto the printable surface of a medium.

Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes a multiphase imaging material in which energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The absorbed energy causes the reaction of an activator and a color-forming material.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for production of color images using leuco dye-containing color forming compositions are described. The color forming composition can include a color forming leuco dye, a metal salt activator, a suppression agent configured for inhibiting the activity of the metal salt activator until application of energy in the form of heat or light, and an initiator precursor. The initiator precursor is capable of liberating scavenger species which reduce the inhibiting action of the suppression agent. The color forming compositions can be a single phase mixture of a leuco dye, metal salt activator, suppression agent, and initiator precursor which are stable under ambient conditions and form a colored composition upon application of energy.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the thermal transfer overcoating of images printed on porous media, and methods of overcoating images printed on porous media. Upon use of the systems and methods of the present invention, a thermally coated print is generated that can comprise a porous media substrate having printed thereon a digitally produced image. The digitally produced image and the porous media substrate is thermally coated by an adhesive protective layer, wherein the adhesive protective layer has a tangent d that is greater than 1 and melt viscosity less than 1×105 Pa.·sec. as applied above its phase transition temperature. Thus, the voids in the porous media substrate can be substantially filled, and further, substantially no tags remain on the print.

Abstract: A media sheet which can be used with a new system and method of the present invention is provided. Specifically, a media sheet can comprise a substrate, a porous dye-receiving layer deposited on the substrate, and a porous ionic layer deposited on the porous dye-receiving layer. Thus, when the ink-jet ink is printed onto the media sheet, ink-jet ink passes substantially through the porous ionic layer and onto the porous dye-receiving layer forming an ink-jet ink-containing media sheet. A fluid sealant composition having an opposite polarity than the ionically-charged surfaces can then be applied. Upon application of the fluid sealant to the ink-jet ink-containing media sheet, an interpolymer complex is formed sealing the ink-jet ink in the media sheet.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording media is provided with a sealable coating that is applied to a non-permeable substrate to improve fade resistance, dry time and water resistance. The ink-jet recording media comprises: (a) a non-permeable substrate; (b) a porous basecoat disposed on a surface of the non-permeable substrate, the basecoat comprising at least one pigment, at least one binder, and, optionally, at least one mordant, and adapted to receive a colorant from an ink comprising at least one colorant and a liquid vehicle containing at least one polar solvent; and (c) a porous topcoat. Either (1) the porous basecoat further comprises a solvent-swellable polymer, adapted to swell when contacted by at least one polar solvent of the liquid vehicle, and the porous topcoat is either optional or comprises at least one pigment and at least one binder, or (2) the porous topcoat comprises the solvent-swellable polymer and at least one binder.

Abstract: A transparent, protective undercoat for a printed medium achieved with a thermal transfer material on a carrier ribbon that is heated and pressed to transfer a segment of thermal transfer material from the carrierribbon onto the printable surface of a medium.

Abstract: A method of producing an object through solid freeform fabrication includes using two immiscible fluids to create a release envelope around the object.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to systems and methods for reducing air fade of ink-jet inks, particularly with respect to dye-based ink-jet inks printed on porous media. Specifically, a method of printing an image on porous media with increased air fade resistance can include the steps of (a) providing an ink-jet ink, wherein the ink-jet ink includes a dye and a water-soluble or water dispersable copolymer in a vehicle carrier; (b) providing a porous media substrate having an inorganic porous media coating, wherein the inorganic porous media coating provides voids for the ink-jet ink to fill; and (c) ink-jetting the ink-jet ink onto the porous media substrate, thereby providing an image having increased air fade resistance.

Abstract: A freeform fabrication system preferably includes low-density particles, a cationic polyelectrolyte component, an anionic polyelectrolyte component, and a polar solvent-based binder capable of stimulating a reaction between the cationic polyelectrolyte component and the anionic polyelectrolyte component to form a low-density particle-bound polyelectrolyte complex.

Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes a multiphase imaging material in which energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The absorbed energy causes the reaction of an activator and a color-forming material.

Abstract: A media sheet which can be used with a new system and method of the present invention is provided. Specifically, a media sheet can comprise a substrate, a porous dye-receiving layer deposited on the substrate, and a porous ionic layer deposited on the porous dye-receiving layer. Thus, when the ink-jet ink is printed onto the media sheet, ink-jet ink passes substantially through the porous ionic layer and onto the porous dye-receiving layer forming an ink-jet ink-containing media sheet. A fluid sealant composition having an opposite polarity than the ionically-charged surfaces can then be applied. Upon application of the fluid sealant to the ink-jet ink-containing media sheet, an interpolymer complex is formed sealing the ink-jet ink in the media sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to systems and methods for reducing air fade of ink-jet inks, particularly with respect to dye-based ink-jet inks printed on porous media. Specifically, a method of printing an image on porous media with increased air fade resistance can comprise the steps of (a) providing an ink-jet ink, wherein the ink-jet ink comprises a dye and a water-soluble or water dispersable copolymer in a vehicle carrier; (b) providing a porous media substrate having an inorganic porous media coating, wherein the inorganic porous media coating provides voids for the ink-jet ink to fill; and (c) ink-jetting the ink-jet ink onto the porous media substrate, thereby providing an image having increased air fade resistance.