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Tuneable Luminescent Signatures Based on Bio-based Carbon Dots for High-Security Encryption Tags

Project description

Shedding light on the future of anti-counterfeiting technology

Counterfeiting is a global issue, affecting industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to food. Traditional anti-counterfeiting methods are often vulnerable or costly. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ToolTag project will develop advanced security systems based on luminescent carbon quantum dots (CDs). These unique luminescent signatures are modified using electron irradiation to create physical unclonable functions (PUFs), making them nearly impossible to replicate. The project aims to create a scalable, cost-effective protocol for customisable anti-counterfeiting systems, with applications in product authentication and food quality control. By combining nanotechnology, materials science, and data processing, ToolTag promises a breakthrough solution to reduce counterfeit goods worldwide and ensure consumers can trust the products they purchase.

Objective

"Security systems based on luminescent signatures are the most widely used for the development of anti-counterfeiting technologies, authentication, and interactive marketing. These systems, when combined with physical unclonable functions (PUFs) produced using
cost-effective and reproducible techniques, can offer an effective solution for a drastic reduction in the circulation of pirated products worldwide. The ""Tuneable Luminescent Signatures Based on Bio-based Carbon Dots for High-Security Encryption Tags"" (ToolTag) project aims to develop an efficient, configurable, and scalable protocol for creating anti-counterfeiting systems. This will be achieved by modifying carbon quantum dots (CDs) through electron irradiation (EI) to create PUFs. Since the luminescent signature of CDs can be influenced by the chemical environment, these tags are also expected to be used for evaluating the quality control of food products. To achieve this goal, two approaches will be adopted to modify the CDs using EI: the first involves the modulation of the luminescent signature of CDs in the liquid state for subsequent ink fabrication and PUF printing, while the second consists of the insitu generation of CDs on polymeric substrates through the in-situ printing of PUFs via EI. For the final development of the anticounterfeiting technology, an algorithm will be designed to convert the raw luminescent signals from the CDs into a unique digital signature. This multi-disciplinary approach, combining nanotechnology, materials science, and data processing, positions ToolTag as a groundbreaking solution in the fight against counterfeiting, offering a scalable and configurable protocol that can be tailored to various industries. By leveraging the latest advances in EI, this project pushes the boundaries of current anti-counterfeiting technologies, providing a novel, efficient, and consumer-friendly tool for verifying product authenticity and quality."

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 191 343,12
Address
AVENIDA MESTRE JOSE VEIGA
4715-330 Braga
Portugal

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Region
Continente Norte Cávado
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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