Physical One-Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical Work

Area of Science:

• Cryptography and Blockchain Technology
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Decentralized consensus mechanisms like Bitcoin's proof of work rely on digital one-way functions.
• Current proof of work systems have a substantial environmental impact due to high electricity consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conceptualize and investigate a physical one-way function as an alternative to digital consensus mechanisms.
• To explore the feasibility of reducing the environmental footprint of blockchain technology.

Main Methods:

• Conceptualization of a physical one-way function.
• Experimental investigation using a setup based on printing and optical analysis of pigment-carrier composites.
• Analysis of security requirements including unclonability, steadiness, reproducibility, collision resistance, and non-invertibility.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the feasibility of a physical one-way function.
• The experimental setup exhibited properties such as mathematical unclonability and non-invertibility.
• Established boundary conditions for security requirements in a physical context.

Conclusions:

• A physical one-way function offers a potential pathway to drastically lower CO2 footprints for consensus mechanisms.
• This research initiates an interdisciplinary field exploring physical processes for blockchain consensus.
• Further research is needed on alternative setups, security definitions, and adversarial strategies.