'Ink, Paper, Sound' and 'Paper Topographies'

Two exhibitions resulted from investigations into the de-inking of digitally printed papers using high intensity ultrasound. The exhibitions consisted of photomicrographs taken using either an optical or electron microscope.

In ‘Ink, Paper, Sound’ the fourteen micrographs illustrate the process of ink fragmentation during the de-inking process and as well as being of scientific value they are visually arresting. The exhibition was a visual exploration of the relationship between the paper, the ink and the effects produced by exposure to ultrasound. A variety of novel lighting conditions were employed in capturing the images and some images were enhanced using image analysis techniques.

In ‘Paper Topographies’, the second exhibition, the images were from handsheets prepared from repulped paper that had been printed with solid black print using the Indigo liquid toner technology known as ElectroInk®. Images were also captured from virgin paper fibre and paper filler samples such as Ground and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate. Image capture was performed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) using either a secondary or backscattered electron detector. With several of the specimens it was necessary to sputter-coat them with gold prior to imaging. A range of working distances, accelerating voltages and magnifications were employed to achieve a complete set of images for analysis and display.