Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Security Primitive for Unclonable Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryptographic techniques lack a truly unclonable physical primitive and biocompatible security structures that can securely identify and authenticate objects, particularly in applications like pharmaceuticals and IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of a security primitive using transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with varying thickness, deposited on a substrate and pixelated into discrete regions, providing a unique optical response that is unclonable and can be authenticated using standard cameras, leveraging the properties of TMDs such as strong dependence on thickness and complete spatial randomness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cryptographic techniques are used, then security protocols can be established, but the security primitive can be cloned or duplicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the semiconductor structure by introducing random variations in doping concentrations, layer thicknesses, and material compositions during manufacturing. These parameter variations create unique optical responses that are inherently unclonable, as exact replication of the random parameter distribution is practically impossible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite semiconductor structures combining multiple materials (e.g., silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, doped regions) with different optical and physical properties. The interaction of these composite materials creates complex optical responses that are difficult to replicate, enhancing unclonability while remaining manufacturable using standard semiconductor processes
2Reliability
If a physical structure is created for cryptographic key extraction, then a cryptographic key can be obtained, but the structure may not be biocompatible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the semiconductor structure to achieve biocompatibility, including using biocompatible materials, controlling pore sizes for tissue integration, and adjusting surface properties. These parameter changes enable the structure to be both biocompatible and functionally versatile across different application domains such as implantable devices and pharmaceutical authentication
3Reliability
If manufacturing precision is increased to create unique structures, then unclonability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-organizing manufacturing processes where random parameter variations are introduced through controlled manufacturing steps (e.g., random doping fluctuations, variable deposition thickness) rather than precise positioning. The manufacturing process itself generates the uniqueness, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing characterization and selection, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high unclonability
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
This solution creates a secure, unclonable, and biocompatible security taggant technology that can authenticate objects across various domains, including pharmaceuticals and IoT devices, with high uniqueness, reliability, and stability, and can be physically transient, making it suitable for diverse applications.
Implementation Method 1
The security parameter exhibits a strong dependence on thickness... The security parameter exhibits complete spatial randomness... The security parameter exhibits a unique optical response
Data Source
AI summary
An article of manufacture includes a substrate and a security primitive deposited on the substrate. The security primitive includes a transition metal dichalcogenide having a varying thickness. According to various embodiments, the transition metal dichalcogenide comprises a chalcogen atom (X) selected from the group consisting of S, Se, and Te and a transition metal (M) selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, Hf, and Zr. The security primitive is pixelated into a plurality of discrete regions having different luminescence. A security primitive key includes a first set of data values corresponding to a first set of coordinates of a first region and a second set of data values corresponding to a second set of coordinates of a second region. In some embodiments, the security primitive key is digitally captured through an optical reader and verified by querying a database.