Conventional Non‐Fluorescent Polymers: Unconventional Security Inks for Data Storage and Multidimensional Photonic Cryptography

Abstract

Traditional security inks relying on fluorescent/phosphorescent molecules are facing increasing risks of forgery or tampering due to their simple readout scheme (i.e., UV‐light irradiation) and the advancement of counterfeiting technologies. In this work, a multidimensional data‐encryption method based on non‐fluorescent polymers via a “lock–key” mechanism is developed. The non‐fluorescent invisible polymer inks serve as the “lock” for data‐encryption, while the anti‐rigidochromic fluorophores that can distinctively light up the polymer inks with programed emissions are “keys” for decryption. The emission of decrypted data is prescribed by polymer chemical structure, molecular weight, topology, copolymer sequence, and phase structure, and shows distinct intensity, wavelength, and chirality compared with the intrinsic emission of fluorophores. Therefore, the data is triply encrypted and naturally gains a high‐security level, e.g., only one out of 20 000 keys can access the only correct readout from 40 000 000 possible outputs in a three‐polymers‐based data‐encryption matrix. Note that fluorophores lacking anti‐rigidochrimism cannot selectively light up the inks and fail in data‐decryption. Further, the diverse topologies, less well‐defined structures, and random‐coiled shapes of polymers make it impossible for them to be imitated. This work offers a new design for security inks and boosts data security levels beyond the reach of conventional fluorescent inks.

Versatile Ratiometric Fluorescent Thermometer Based on Antirigidochromic Fluorophores in a Polymer Matrix with Exceptional Anti-Interference Capability

“…This is attributed to the weak interaction between PTF1 and PMMA, preventing the formation of a CTC within the PMMA matrix. Consequently, the “antirigidochromic” behavior is not observed in the PMMA matrix …”

In Situ Optical Detection of Amines at a Parts-per-Quadrillion Level by Severing the Through-Space Conjugated Supramolecular Domino

“…SN possesses a very small pi-conjugated plane and does not show any fluorescence in the solution. Upon mixing with pPFPA, dim blue emission is detected, indicating the weak interactions between SN and pPFPA …”

“…Upon mixing with pPFPA, dim blue emission is detected, indicating the weak interactions between SN and pPFPA. 53 2.3. Amine Detection by PTF1-pPFPA-Based Supramolecular Dominoes.…”

Stimulus-responsive polymer materials toward multi-mode and multi-level information anti-counterfeiting: recent advances and future challenges

“…With the progressive development of SRP-based information storage toward multi-mode and multi-level anti-counterfeiting materials, such technology would play an increasingly important role in practical applications across a range of domains. Although some progress has been made in the research into SRPs toward advanced information storage (multi-mode anti-counterfeiting and multi-level encryption/decryption), for instance, more enhanced encryption complexity, 111 advanced encryption algorithms, 112 larger information-storage capacities, 113 there still exists considerable difficulties in their future evolution. This review perhaps will inspire further research on developing advanced SRP-based anti-counterfeiting systems that will open new novel avenues to achieve higher-level information security.…”