South Korean research team has developed transparent film for preventing counterfeits that changes color even when someone blows one’s breath onto it. Because it can easily find out products’ authenticity without any separate tools, it is predicted that it will become popular in related markets when it is commercialized.
Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT, Director Lee Kyu-ho) made an announcement on the 27th that a team led by Professor Park Jong-mok of Convergence Chemical Research Headquarters has developed discolored film that responds to high humidity through multi-layered polymer transparent substance.
This film is in one-dimensional photonic structure which arranges substances that have different refractive indexes in single line. Each material interferes light through duplication and reflects light onto particular wavelength.
Research team made this structure as multi-layered structure and coated each layer with its own ‘special chemical substance’.
This chemical substance responds to relative humidity of 70 to 80% or higher and thickens each photonic structure. It reflects different color from current color by changing refractive index of light of photonic structure. When humidity is gone, it goes back to its original transparent form with original thickness.
When this technology is utilized, security solutions that are not available can be made. Until now, there were not any security solutions that would respond to humidity as it was difficult to have photonic structure to respond to particular humidity.
Another advantage is that it is inexpensive to apply this film to security solutions. Coloring such as dye and pigment are not used in manufacturing this film and separate equipment to distinguish forged products from real products is not needed as well.
Research team predicts that this technology will receive spotlight in related markets when it is commercialized. It is estimated that markets for preventing counterfeits will be worth $80.2 million in 2020.
Research team applied for 3 patents based on this technology. In the future, it will supplement and develop technology that can mass-produce materials and thin-film continuous process technology and also prepare ways to converge them with this technology. Possible timing of commercialization of this technology will be in 3 years.
“It is predicted that discolored film that responds to particular humid environment like breath will contribute in solving illegal distribution and evasion of national tax.” said Director Lee Kyu-ho. “It can provide strong security solutions when it is converged with information saving device.”
Staff Reporter Kim, Youngjoon | kyj85@etnews.com