Spark Marking Conductive Surfaces for Secure Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marking technologies for conductive materials, such as metal objects, are vulnerable to copying and counterfeiting due to their predictable nature, and existing methods are complex, require material consumption, or need surface pre-treatment, making them unsuitable for secure identification and authentication.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of an electric spark to create unique, randomly shaped craters and re-deposited material patterns on the surface, which are impossible to reproduce with other techniques, using a spark generator and counter electrode to partially melt or ablate the material, resulting in a complex three-dimensional structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If printing technology or laser engraving is used to create marks with predetermined codes, then the marking process is controllable and reproducible, but the marks can be easily copied or counterfeited by unauthorized persons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a pre-treated layer on the metal surface before the actual marking process. This pre-treatment layer (oxidized or corroded surface) provides a controlled substrate that ensures consistent and reliable marking results while preventing copying, as the random pattern is formed through controlled material removal rather than direct application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical engraving systems with electrochemical dissolution. Instead of using mechanical tools to carve marks, the invention uses controlled electrochemical reactions to dissolve metal surface material, creating unique random patterns that are impossible to replicate with traditional mechanical or printing methods
2Reliability
If electrode vibration and material transfer is used to create random marks, then uniqueness is achieved, but the method requires material consumption and pre-treatment of the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing material from the metal surface through controlled electrochemical dissolution rather than transferring material onto the surface. This eliminates the need for electrode material consumption and removes the requirement for pre-treating the surface with grids or other preparatory structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical vibration and material transfer system with an electrochemical dissolution system. This substitution eliminates material consumption from electrodes and removes the need for surface pre-treatment, while still achieving unique random patterns through controlled material removal
3Ease of manufacture
If pseudo-random features from numerical generators are used in laser engraving, then the marking process is controllable, but the randomness is not based on chaotic physical phenomena and can be copied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling electrochemical parameters (current density, electrolyte composition, pulse duration) to create random patterns. The randomness arises from inherent electrochemical fluctuations and surface heterogeneity rather than numerical generators, providing true physical randomness that cannot be replicated
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 method produces marks that are uniquely secure, impossible to copy, and can be efficiently applied to various conductive surfaces without material consumption or pre-treatment, allowing for reliable identification and authentication with high information encoding capacity.
Implementation Method 1
applying an electric spark to the surface of the object such that the material of the surface is partially melted, partially ablated, or both, by the electric spark
Implementation Method 2
the material of the surface is partially melted, partially ablated, or both, by the electric spark
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention describes a method for marking an object (18), the object (18) having a surface of a conductive material. The method comprises a step of applying an electric spark to the surface such that the material is at least one of partially melted and partially ablated by the electric spark, thereby forming a pattern on the object (18). Further, the present application relates to a marking system (10) for marking an object (18) using a spark generator (12) having a counter electrode (14) and a connector (16) for electrically connecting the spark generator (12) to the surface of the object (18) to be marked. Further, the present application relates to an authenticating system for authenticating or identifying an object (18) marked by the above described method for marking the object (18).