Laser printers don't emit harmful toner dust, study says

Tiny bits of toner wafting from laser printers can't be blamed for polluting indoor air, according to research released this week.

In 2007, a study from Queensland University of Technology in Australia suggested that breathing toner particles from printers could hurt the lungs as much cigarette smoke.

But researchers from that school and the Fraunhofer Wilhelm Klauditz Institute in Germany have found no evidence to support that claim, after examining the makeup of chemicals released from laser printers.

They determined that such airborne materials include paraffins and silicon oils that evaporate when a printer's fixing unit, which attaches dry toner ink to paper, reaches temperatures as high as 428 degrees Fahrenheit.


Read more »

Sharp announces dye-sub duo

Sharp is probably known more for its Aquos lineup of LCD TVs, but the Japanese company has just announced two new photo printers, the HN-PP100 and the HN-PP150 which competes against the likes of Epson, HP and Canon.

Dubbed the Aquos Photo Printer, these dye-sub machines can print photographs in three different sizes, ranging from postcard dimensions to wallet-sized prints. The print resolution is 300 x 300dpi and it takes about 57 seconds to churn out a 101 x 152mm photograph. Image correction such as backlighting, red-eye and smoother skin tones can be achieved in-printer. The onboard card reader accepts commonly used flash media such as SD/SDHC, Compact Flash and Memory Stick.

There are five slideshow and 10 music options available for those inclined to viewing their pictures on HDTVs via the HDMI port. You can also beam pictures from your camera phone to the printers via the infra-red port. They come with USB2.0 ports to hook up to a compliant machine. The higher-end HN-PP150 supports DLNA and has an Ethernet port which allows you to access and view images stored over a network, too.

Sharp has yet to get back to us on the Aquos Photo Printer's availability and pricing in Asia, but the Japanese pricing suggests they should range from US$200 to US$250.

Compact 3D printer lets you create your own toys

3D printers for rapid prototyping concept designs are typically seen as huge chunky machines that sit in one corner of the room and used only when needed. But Objet's latest device, the Alaris 30 not only fits on desktops (well, some of them), it can also churn out 600 x 600dpi objects with movable parts.

Measuring 825 x 620 x 590mm, the Alaris 30 is network-enabled to allow sharing among designers. The company's proprietary PolyJet Photopolymer Jetting Technology will render 600 x 600dpi objects out of resin with two printheads and if they have moving components, the machine can create them, too.
Read more »

HP's inkjet tech to be used for in-home dialysis treatment

Inkjet technology isn't just for printers.

Hewlett-Packard has agreed to license its patent on inkjet for use in a treatment system for people suffering kidney failure, according to HP's director of IP licensing, Charlie Chapman.

Sure, the two might sound completely unrelated, but HP's done something similar before: last year, another medical services company licensed inkjet intellectual property to administer vaccines.

But this time, HP will allow Home Dialysis Plus, a new company still gathering funding, to use HP's "fluid management" technology used in inkjet printers.

HP uses it to create calculated mixtures of ink and water, which are then delivered through a printer to a piece of paper. Home Dialysis Plus will use it to mix tap water and concentrated dialysis solution at a level customized for patients that can be administered at home rather than at a treatment center.

Patients who must get clinical dialysis three times a week basically have to plan their lives around getting ready for the next treatment, according to HD Plus CEO Michael Baker. A home treatment is more ideal, but getting the correct mixture of water and dialysis fluids is hard and can be prone to human error.
Read more »

HP's alternate experience centers

In the not-so-distant future, you'll be able to sample and experience HP products and services in the least expected venues. To reach out to even more consumers, the Palo Alto company has tied up with various fashion and entertainment industry partners to promote its wares. This is on top of the 7,500 new retail partner stores slated for launch across 1,000 Asia-Pacific cities to beef up its regional presence.

Under its latest HP alternative experience center initiative, the IT solutions provider has identified three key customer segments in the youth, family and women markets to implement its new shop-and-play concept. The following are details of the collaborations as well as their respective propositions to bring HP's offerings beyond the usual IT malls and conventional retail channels.


Read more »

Crave is...

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (2240)

» Digital Cameras (988)

» Notebooks (1238)

» PC & Peripherals (1312)

» Handhelds (585)

» Printers (83)

» Home AV (1147)

» Music & Play (896)

» Gadgets (1488)

» Future Tech (396)

» Green Tech (172)

» Lifestyle (157)

» Luxury (22)

» Home Appliances (58)

» Cars (99)

» Games and Gear (248)

» Software (96)

» Web (119)

Previously...

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Hot Topics

Subscribe to
Crave

What's Hot

apple apple inc. apple iphone apple ipod asia battery camera game google inc. iphone microsoft corp. microsoft windows mobile phone photograph singapore smart phone software sony corp. video

Today on CNET |  Reviews |  Crave |  Blogs |  CNET TV |  Digital Living |  Downloads