News

Kodak explains '`breakthroughs' in thermal imaging

November 30, 2003

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Eastman Kodak Company's Tech Brief for November explains how breakthrough research in thermal imaging has led to bright, clear color images in just seconds from the Kodak Photo Printer 6800, the printing engine found inside the Kodak Picture Maker G3 kiosk available at retailers throughout the U.S.

Advances in retail thermal printing have led to faster, more efficient print speeds. However, high-speed thermal printing presents challenges to image quality, as the mechanics of printing -- and rapid rates of heat transfer -- test the physical limits of dyes, paper and the print head.

Kodak research has led to advanced chemical formulations and sophisticated algorithms used for higher print speeds that preserve the quality and durability of the picture, the brief stated.

When consumers walk into a store and insert a digital media card into the Picture Maker G3 kiosk, all it takes are a few touches on the screen and out pop vivid, glossy prints.

But in those few seconds, between the "click" of the media card and the "clunk" of the final photo, a myriad of sophisticated operations and complex chemical formulations developed by Kodak researchers are put into play within the KODAK Photo Printer 6800 housed inside the kiosk.