Robust and Versatile Biodegradable Unclonable Anti-Counterfeiting Labels with Multi-Mode Optical Encoding Using...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Information Security

Background:

• Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are crucial for security but often lack sustainability.
• Existing PUF platforms face challenges in balancing encoding capacity, encryption diversity, and biocompatibility.
• There is a need for eco-friendly and biocompatible PUF solutions for anti-counterfeiting applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop sustainable, all-biomaterial-based unclonable anti-counterfeiting labels.
• To achieve multi-mode encoding, multi-level cryptographic keys, and multiple authentication operations.
• To integrate biocompatible materials for enhanced safety and reduced environmental impact.

Main Methods:

• Utilized biomimetic-grown calcites imprinted on silk protein films for inherent non-clonability.
• Embedded photoluminescent molecules into calcite lattices for fluorescence and birefringence encoding.
• Developed authentication methods using Hamming distance, convolutional neural networks, and angle-dependent polarization.

Main Results:

• Created labels with randomized calcite characteristics mediated by silk protein for unclonability.
• Achieved high-capacity encoding via fluorescence patterns and birefringence.
• Enabled multi-level key generation through polarization and multi-channel keys via fluorescence.
• Demonstrated easy and rapid authentication using standard cameras and portable microscopes.

Conclusions:

• The developed anti-counterfeiting labels offer a practical, high-security solution combining biodegradability, green manufacturing, and versatility.
• The platform provides a robust, low-cost, and patternable approach to combat counterfeiting.
• This work advances the integration of biocompatible materials in physical unclonable functions for enhanced information security.