Sophisticated yet Convenient Information Encryption/Decryption Based on Synergistically Time-/Temperature-Resolved Photonic Inks

Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023 Feb;10(5):e2206290. doi: 10.1002/advs.202206290. Epub 2022 Dec 11.

Abstract

Exploring high-safety but convenient encryption and decryption technologies to combat threats of information leakage is urgently needed but remains a great challenge. Here, a synergistically time- and temperature-resolved information coding/decoding solution based on functional photonic inks is demonstrated. Encrypted messages can be stored into multiple channels with dynamic-color patterns, and information decryption is only enabled at appointed temperature and time points. Notably, the ink can be easily processed into quick-response codes and multipixel plates. With high transparency and responsive color variations controlled by ink compositions and ambient temperatures, advanced 3D stacking multichannel coding and Morse coding techniques can be applied for multi-information storage, complex anticounterfeiting, and information interference. This study paves an avenue for the design and development of dynamic photonic inks and complex encryption technologies for high-end anticounterfeiting applications.

Keywords: anticounterfeiting; information encryption; photonic ink; temperature-resolved decryption; time-resolved decryption.