Cyclic Voltammetry Fingerprinting for Rapid Product Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product identification methods are complex, costly, and require additional markers, which are not feasible for certain products, and existing forensic analysis is slow and requires expensive equipment and trained personnel, making it difficult to quickly and inexpensively authenticate products.
Innovation Solution
A method using cyclic voltammetry to generate a unique fingerprint for products by analyzing multiple cycles of current output across a sensor, comparing data sets from each cycle to known products, allowing for quick and inexpensive authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If marker chemicals are added to products during manufacturing for identification, then product authentication capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication marker from the product formulation itself and places it only on the packaging closure components (caps, corks, stoppers). This eliminates the need to add markers to the actual product during manufacturing, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining authentication capability on the packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the packaging closure as an intermediary carrier for authentication markers. Instead of adding markers directly to the product, the markers are applied to the closure components which then serve as the authentication interface, simplifying the manufacturing process while preserving authentication functionality.
2Measurement precision
If marker chemicals are added to products for authentication, then product identification accuracy is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the expensive authentication marker application from the product manufacturing process and relocates it to the packaging closure manufacturing process. This separation reduces production costs while maintaining identification accuracy, as the markers are applied only to the closure components rather than the entire product.
3Device complexity
If authentication markers are applied only to bottle packaging, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but authentication reliability deteriorates due to tampering and refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication system into multiple components: the closure (cap, cork, or stopper) and the bottle packaging. Each component can carry authentication markers independently, allowing verification of both the closure integrity and the packaging authenticity, thereby preventing tampering and refilling fraud while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies authentication markers to the closure components during their initial manufacturing process, before the closure is assembled with the bottle. This preliminary action ensures that any subsequent tampering or removal of the closure will be evident, as the markers are already in place and cannot be transferred to replacement closures.
4Measurement precision
If forensic analysis methods are used for product authentication, then identification accuracy is improved, but analysis time and equipment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs authentication markers that produce visible color changes or optical signals when exposed to specific stimuli (such as UV light or chemical reagents). This allows for rapid visual authentication without requiring complex forensic equipment or lengthy analysis procedures, thereby reducing analysis time while maintaining identification accuracy through distinctive marker patterns.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and rapid identification of products using inexpensive equipment and untrained personnel, effectively distinguishing genuine from counterfeit goods.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting a sample to cyclic voltammetry, wherein the sample is subjected to a plurality of voltammetric cycles to obtain a data set for each cycle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for product identification comprising subjecting a sample to cyclic voltammetry, wherein the sample is subjected to a plurality of voltammetric cycles to obtain a data set for each cycle and wherein the data sets comprise data points; and comparing the data set for each cycle with a data set for a corresponding cycle of at least one known product to determine whether the sample is the known product. The present invention further relates to a method for determining a profile for a known product, which may be used in determining the identity of a sample.