Journalists from around the world have been given a glimpse at technology under development at Xerox's famous Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in Silicon Valley.
The centre gave the world innovations such as the computer mouse, the graphical user interface, the laser printer and Ethernet, and has now afforded reporters a rare look at new technology it is developing in its labs in Palo Alto, California.
PARC researchers flew in from around the world to demonstrate 10 projects, among them:
* Reusable copy paper that does not use ink or toner to form characters and images on the paper. The paper can be reused up to 100 times.
* A new way to capture and use solar energy. Instead of rows of solar panels which are the current standard around the world, PARC has created a series of convex mirrors that focus sunlight onto small silicon chips. These solar cells need as much space as current solar panels, but PARC says "they are 500 times more efficient than current solar panels". Building the miniature chips on top of tracking motors that follow the sun boosts their efficiency. The new panels will come to market in the next year or so, and they will surpass conventional solar panel technology within the next decade.
* A laser-based medical scanner to detect rare or potentially damaging cells in human blood instead of using invasive and hazardous biopsies. The scanner can detect rare cells in a drop of human blood. It is now being tested as a tool to scan a blood sample from a pregnant woman for signs that her foetus has Down syndrome, or rare cancer cells.
* A document viewer that uses virtual technology so customers, such as printers, can track a project in real-time from start to finish.
* New software for users to view documents on smartphones and PDAs. Seamless Document Viewer significantly enhances the reading experience on mobile devices.
* An eco-friendly, heat-resistant biomass plastic, where 30% of its weight is made out of plant material. It is use in a Fuji Xerox machine in Japan.
* A device that drives flushwater through a spiral tube, instead of through a series of tanks and filters, as is currently the norm. Centrifugal force pushes the heavier particles to the outside wall of the tube, while clean water stays on the inside. A fork at the end of the tube splits it into clean and dirty streams. The idea for this came from technology Xerox uses to move around particles of copy toner.
* Adaptive control software that can make data centres more energy-efficient - reducing server energy usage by up to 30%
"Xerox is spending $1.5 billion a year on research and development," says Rob Abraham, MD of Bytes Document Solutions, distributor of Xerox in 24 African countries. "Even now, as the market begins to slow down, Xerox will continue to invest in PARC and other labs, as innovation is central to the company."
Xerox holds more than 8 000 active patents, and 15 of its scientists each hold more than 100 patents.
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Bytes Document Solutions, previously known as Xerox South Africa, is the authorised Xerox distributor to 24 sub-Saharan countries. Bytes Document Solutions is engaged in the marketing and servicing of the complete range of Xerox document equipment, software, solutions and services. The company operates through an extensive network of distributors, dealers, concessionaires and channel partners. Its products include printing and publishing systems; digital copiers; laser and solid ink printers; fax machines; digital multifunctional devices (MFDs), which can print, copy, scan and fax; document-management software; and supplies, such as toner, paper, and ink. The company also provides software and workflow solutions to businesses for printing books, creating personalised documents for their customers, and scanning and routing digital information.
With black economic empowerment partner Kagiso Trust owning a 27% stake of the business, it is a wholly owned member of the Bytes Technology Group.
For more information on Bytes Document Solutions and Xerox, visit www.xerox.com/news.
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