MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
Scientists from Novosibirsk State University have received patents for luminescent dyes based on rare earth metal compounds, as well as for a technology that allows them to be used as protection against counterfeiting of documents and trademarks.
The patented developments were one of the results of a project supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation and aimed at studying the properties of chemical compounds of two rare earth metals – europium and terbium. It is known that such compounds are luminescent (emit light in response to UV radiation). At the same time, the intensity of the glow decreases in response to the presence of toxic pollutants in the environment – heavy metals, antibiotics, pesticides. Obtaining effective indicators of such pollution was one of the main objectives of the project.
— At a certain stage of the study, we decided to try using chemical compounds containing both elements, hoping to further increase their effectiveness in terms of reaction to pollutants. These hopes did not come true. But we received another promising result, — said the leading researcher of the laboratory of functional materials based on clusters and supramolecular compounds Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU Andrey Potapov.
The scientists had at their disposal a whole line of initially colorless compounds that, under the influence of ultraviolet light, began to glow in a spectrum from red to green (depending on the percentage content of a particular element). Moreover, by changing their composition, it was possible to obtain compounds with three specified unique parameters – the color itself, the duration of the glow after a flash of UV radiation, and the change in the color of this glow during the fading period.
— Such customizable dyes, applied as a special mark to a document or product packaging, can act as a three-stage anti-counterfeiting system. To check the authenticity, it is enough to shine an ultraviolet light on the mark, and then compare the obtained indicators with those declared by the manufacturer or organization that issued the document. And even with a slight deviation in the composition of the dye, by 1-2% of the content of any of the elements, these indicators will not match, — explained Andrey Potapov.
According to him, the correspondence of the shade to the original can be checked using a smartphone with a standard color-analyzing application installed. And it is technically easy to develop another application for mobile devices that will measure the fade time after the flash (we are talking about milliseconds, such intervals can be measured without complex equipment).
Another advantage of the dyes, in comparison with their lanthanide-based analogues, which are used today for similar purposes, is that the proposed europium- and terbium-based compounds are new and are not available for sale.
— Thus, only those who receive the required composition in exact accordance with the recipe will be able to apply the correct mark, which significantly complicates the counterfeiting process. In addition, in the event of an information leak, the manufacturer of the original marks can quickly adjust the composition and change the parameters by which their authenticity is established, — Potapov added.
Of course, such protection technology requires certain costs and is unlikely to be used on milk packaging and other mass-market products, the developers note. But where authenticity is important (banknotes, documents, expensive goods), these dyes may be in high demand. In addition, their production does not require unique expensive equipment and many domestic enterprises producing dyes and pigments can open such a production line.
The developers expect to release a pilot batch of dyes by the end of the year, after which it will be possible to conduct a substantive discussion with potential industrial partners about the implementation of the new technology.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
https://vvv.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/science/scientists-ngu-patented-new-technology-for-counterfeit-protection/
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.
