Embedded RFID Tags for Tamper-Resistant Hazardous Material Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID tags used for asset management and tracking of hazardous materials are easily removable and reusable, posing a security risk as they can be identified and detached from containers, allowing them to be reattached to different products, which compromises tracking accuracy and security.
Innovation Solution
Embedding RFID tags within recesses on the outer surfaces of objects or containers, such as metal valve flanges, and using tamper-resistant designs with adhesives that bond stronger to the container material than to the tag's housing, making removal attempt destructive to the tag's functionality, and employing PSK modulation for improved communication through metal protection rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If RFID tags are made easily removable for flexible application, then ease of operation is improved, but security and tracking reliability deteriorate due to potential removal and re-use
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is designed as a disposable, non-reusable component. The adhesive bond is engineered to fail in a controlled manner that destroys the tag's functionality, ensuring that once applied to a container, the tag cannot be removed and reused on another product, thereby eliminating the security risk of tag swapping
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive formulation and tag design incorporate preliminary anti-action measures against removal attempts. The adhesive bonds more strongly to the container material than to the tag housing, creating a built-in mechanism that prevents successful removal while maintaining ease of initial application during legitimate use
2Reliability
If RFID tags are embedded within recesses to improve security, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to recess formation and integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the container structure by creating a recess in the container surface (such as a valve flange) that is separate from the main container body. This recess serves as a dedicated housing for the RFID tag, allowing the tag to be embedded securely without requiring complex modification of the entire container structure
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag is nested within the recess of the container, with the tag housing fitting into the recess cavity. This nesting arrangement provides secure embedding while maintaining a clean external appearance, as the tag surface can be flush with or recessed relative to the container surface
3Reliability
If adhesive bonds strongly to container material to prevent removal, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to stronger bonding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system exhibits local quality differentiation through its selective bonding characteristics. The adhesive bonds more strongly to the container material (metal or plastic) than to the tag housing, creating a localized strong bond at the interface between adhesive and container while allowing controlled failure at the adhesive-tag interface during removal attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The solution employs composite material principles in the adhesive formulation, combining multiple adhesive components or layers with different bonding characteristics. This composite adhesive structure provides strong bonding to container materials while maintaining controlled failure properties, balancing manufacturing ease with security requirements
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
The embedded RFID tags are more secure, difficult to identify, and tamper-resistant, ensuring continuous tracking of hazardous materials like liquid propane gas without the risk of removal and re-use, enhancing security and tracking reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive positioned between the bottom surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the recess to adhere the housing and the potting element to the bottom surface of the recess
Implementation Method 2
The RFID tags can also use PSK (phase shift key) modulation to improve communication with readers where metal protection rings are used to protect valves
Data Source
AI summary
Embedded RFID (radio frequency identification) tags for objects or containers and related systems and methods are disclosed that overcome problems existing with previous RFID tags. The RFID tags are embedded within recesses within the outer surfaces of objects or containers, such as within a metal valve flange for a metal container. The RFID tags can also be shaped and configured to fit within recesses so that the top surfaces of the RFID tags match the outer surfaces of the objects or containers. The embedded RFID tags can also be painted or otherwise disguised so that they are more difficult to identify. In addition, the RFID tags are preferably tamper resistant and can also use PSK (phase shift key) modulation. The embedded RFID tags described herein are particularly useful for tracking of liquid propane gas (LPG) containers and/or other types of containers or objects for holding hazardous materials.