Fluorescent Marker Blend for Material Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for authenticating bulk products, such as alcoholic beverages and pharmaceuticals, are limited by the need for costly and time-consuming preparation of monoclonal antibodies, the requirement for expensive laboratory equipment, and the inability to quantify adulteration levels, making them unsuitable for real-time analysis and field audits.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a blend of fluorescence quenching agents, including halogen salts and alkaloids like quinine and harmala compounds, which vary in fluorescence intensity and spectral position with pH and quenching agent concentration, allowing for precise authentication and quantification using simple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If monoclonal antibodies are used for detecting marker molecules, then detection specificity is improved, but preparation cost and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection specificityVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple chemical markers (colored compounds, fluorescent compounds, or radioactive isotopes) that can be easily synthesized and copied, replacing the need for complex monoclonal antibody preparation. These markers can be rapidly introduced into products without lengthy immunization and hybridization procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between detection specificity and preparation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive, easily replaceable chemical markers instead of costly monoclonal antibodies. These markers can be quickly synthesized and discarded after use, eliminating the need for time-consuming antibody production and maintenance of antibody-producing cell lines, thereby reducing both preparation time and cost while maintaining adequate detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If complex laboratory equipment such as GC-MS or HPLC is used for authentication, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadulteration detection accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical and electronic laboratory equipment (GC-MS, HPLC) with simple optical detection methods. By using colored compounds visible to the naked eye or fluorescent compounds detectable with simple fluorometers, the system achieves adequate measurement precision for authentication purposes without requiring sophisticated instrumentation, thus reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining sufficient detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes colored compounds that change color or exhibit color intensity variations based on their presence and concentration in the product. This allows for simple visual or spectrophotometric detection without complex equipment. The color changes provide sufficient measurement precision for authentication while avoiding the need for expensive and complex analytical instruments like mass spectrometers or HPLC systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Measurement precision

If quantitative analysis of adulteration levels is required, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadulteration quantification accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic detection methods where the intensity of color or fluorescence signals varies continuously with the concentration of the marker and thus with the level of adulteration. This allows for quantitative analysis without requiring complex equipment - simple spectrophotometers or even visual comparison with standards can provide adequate quantification accuracy while keeping the detection system simple and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in optical parameters (color intensity, absorbance, fluorescence intensity) that are directly proportional to marker concentration and thus to adulteration level. By measuring these parameter changes with simple instruments, the system achieves quantitative analysis capability without increasing device complexity or operational complexity significantly, as the relationship between signal intensity and concentration is direct and easily calibrated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If field-portable authentication is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate compared to laboratory methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield authentication capabilityVSAvoidauthentication accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex laboratory instrumentation with simple optical detection methods that can be performed with minimal equipment. Colored compounds can be detected by the naked eye or simple colorimeters, and fluorescent compounds can be detected with portable UV lamps or simple fluorometers. This substitution enables field-portable authentication while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for authentication purposes, as the optical signals are strong and easily distinguishable from background interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses colored and fluorescent compounds that produce strong, easily detectable optical signals even in field conditions. These compounds exhibit intense color changes or fluorescence that can be detected with simple devices, ensuring adequate measurement precision for authentication purposes. The strong optical signals overcome limitations of field environments (lighting conditions, background interference) while maintaining ease of operation and portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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 quick, reliable, and cost-effective authentication and quantification of product authenticity, suitable for field use and compliance with regulatory standards, without altering the product's properties or posing health risks.

Implementation Method 1

each having a fluorescence that varies in spectral position and/or intensity according to variation of pH

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

the fluorescence quenching agent causing a progressive decrease in fluorescent intensity with increasing concentration of the fluorescence quenching agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence quenching: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP2926119B1Method of marking of material, marked material and method for authenticating a material
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 SICPA HOLDING SA
  • EP2926119B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2926119B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2926119B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Method for marking a material, comprising including at least two components having different fluorescent characteristics as a blend of components in the material, the at least two components not being already associated with the material and at least one of the at least two different components having a fluorescence that varies in spectral position and/or intensity according to variation of pH, the at least two components being included in the material in an amount effective to be qualitatively and/or quantitatively determined. Also, provided are marked materials and methods of authenticating and preventing counterfeiting and dilution.