Multilayer Chiral Liquid Crystal Flake for Secure Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for marking and identifying items lack efficiency in providing secure, unique, and easily trackable codes that can differentiate between genuine and counterfeit products, especially in supply chains for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and do not allow for rapid retrieval of items from large databases.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer flake or film comprising at least two chiral liquid crystal polymer layers and an additional layer with distinct detectable parameters, including circular reflected polarized light, magnetic, luminescent, and thermochromic properties, which are randomly distributed to create a unique code that can be read and stored in a database for authentication and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple chiral liquid crystal polymer layers are used to increase coding security, then authentication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flake is divided into multiple distinct layers (first chiral liquid crystal polymer layer, second chiral liquid crystal polymer layer, and additional layer(s)) with different detectable parameters. Each layer contributes a unique characteristic (e.g., different circular reflected polarized light properties, magnetic, luminescent, or thermochromic properties) that collectively enhances authentication reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple chiral liquid crystal polymer layers with different optical and physical properties to create a composite flake structure. The first and second CLCP layers have different detectable parameters, and additional non-CLCP layers provide further distinct properties (magnetic, luminescent, thermochromic), creating a multi-property composite that improves security against counterfeiting.
2Loss of information
If multiple detectable parameters are incorporated to enhance coding capability, then information content increases, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flake incorporates multiple types of detectable parameters (optical, magnetic, luminescent, thermochromic) within a single structure, making it a multi-functional authentication element. This allows one flake to provide diverse information (different detectable parameters) without requiring multiple separate components, thereby increasing information content while managing measurement complexity through integrated design.
3Productivity
If unique codes are created for rapid database retrieval, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions or layers of the flake possess distinct local properties (first CLCP layer with first detectable parameter, second CLCP layer with second detectable parameter, additional layers with third detectable parameter). This local differentiation creates a unique spatial and property-based code that can be rapidly identified and retrieved from databases, improving productivity while maintaining structured complexity for reliable authentication.
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 solution provides a high level of coding security and efficiency, allowing for rapid identification and authentication of items, even in large databases, and prevents counterfeiting by utilizing unique optical and magnetic properties that are difficult to replicate.
Implementation Method 1
at least two chiral liquid crystal polymer layers comprising a first chiral liquid crystal polymer layer that has a first detectable parameter and a second chiral liquid crystal polymer layer that has a second detectable parameter
Implementation Method 2
including circular reflected polarized light, magnetic, luminescent, and thermochromic properties
Implementation Method 3
including circular reflected polarized light, magnetic, luminescent, and thermochromic properties
Implementation Method 4
including circular reflected polarized light, magnetic, luminescent, and thermochromic properties
Data Source
AI summary
Coding flake or film including at least two chiral liquid crystal polymer (CLCP) layers with a first CLCP layer that has a first detectable parameter and a second CLCP layer including a second detectable parameter; at least one additional layer including a third detectable parameter, the at least one additional layer comprising a material that is not a chiral liquid crystal polymer; and wherein at least the third detectable parameter is different from each of the first detectable parameter and the second detectable parameter.