Luminescent Borates for Covert Authentication via Density Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current luminescent phosphor compounds are vulnerable to counterfeiting due to their high density, making them difficult to disperse in liquid mediums and detectable through spectrometry, which compromises authentication security.
Innovation Solution
Development of luminescent borates with a B9O16 crystal lattice, incorporating neodymium and ytterbium, and optional substitutable elements like lanthanum, which have a density less than 5 grams per cubic centimeter, allowing effective dispersion in liquids and a unique spectral signature for authentication, while being refractive index matched to polymeric mediums to evade detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional luminescent phosphor compounds are used for authentication, then they provide detectable radiation emissions, but their high density (≥5 g/cm³) makes them difficult to disperse in liquid mediums and vulnerable to spectrometry detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the luminescent material by selecting specific host materials (low-density phosphors) with density less than 5 g/cm³, replacing traditional high-density phosphors. This parameter change enables effective dispersion in liquid ink mediums while maintaining luminescent properties for authentication, resolving the contradiction between authentication reliability and dispersion ease
2Reliability
If traditional luminescent phosphor compounds are used, then they produce observable emissions, but their high density causes settling in liquid mediums resulting in uneven concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the density parameter of the phosphor material to be less than 5 g/cm³, the patent eliminates the density mismatch between solid phosphor particles and liquid ink medium. This parameter change prevents gravitational settling and maintains uniform concentration distribution, resolving the contradiction between emission detectability and concentration uniformity
3Reliability
If high density phosphor compounds are used, then they provide strong luminescent signals, but they can be reproduced through spectrometry techniques compromising authentication security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter to create low-density phosphors that can be uniformly dispersed in ink, forming covert authentication features that are difficult to detect and reproduce. The uniform dispersion and low density make spectrometry detection more challenging, enhancing authentication security
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 luminescent borates provide stable dispersions in inks, resist settling, and are difficult to visually detect, enhancing authentication security by inhibiting counterfeiting and allowing for covert authentication applications.
Implementation Method 1
A luminescent phosphor compound is a compound that is capable of emitting detectable quantities of radiation in the infrared, visible, and/or ultraviolet spectrums upon excitation of the compound by an external energy source
Implementation Method 2
The production of radiation by a phosphor compound is accomplished by absorption of incident radiation by the emitting ion(s) or by either or both the host material and the sensitizing ion(s), followed by energy transfer from the host material/sensitizing ion(s) to the emitting ion(s)
Implementation Method 3
the luminescent borates have a density of less than 5 grams per cubic centimeter and, therefore, can be effectively dispersed within liquid mediums such as ink
Implementation Method 4
the luminescent borates have a density of less than 5 grams per cubic centimeter and, therefore, can be effectively dispersed within liquid mediums such as ink
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
Luminescent borates, luminescent materials, and articles incorporating such borates are provided herein. An embodiment of a luminescent borate includes a host borate that has a B9O16-comprising crystal lattice. Neodymium and/or ytterbium are present within the host borate, and one or more substitutable elements are optionally present along with the neodymium and/or ytterbium within the host borate. The one or more substitutable elements are different from neodymium and ytterbium.