The multi-pattern can be used for identification tags for the transmission of information or for the prevention of counterfeit banknotes. (image: National Research Foundation of Korea)
DAEJEON, Oct. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — Researchers have succeeded in creating nanometer-sized ultrafine wrinkles on the surface of a liquid crystal high polymer material that can be used to prevent the production of counterfeit banknotes.
A research team from Chungnam National University announced on Thursday that it had developed technology to create nanometer-sized ultrafine wrinkles on the surface of a liquid crystal high polymer material with tens of centimeters of surface area.
Each of the newly-developed ultrafine wrinkles has a different direction ranging from 0 to 90 degrees. Previously, ultrafine wrinkles for liquid crystal high polymer material were only one-directional or available only on a flat surface.
After controlling hundreds of thousands of fine mirrors of a spatial light modulator one by one, the research team aligned them to reflect the light in a desired pattern.
By adjusting the vibration direction with a polarizer, the research team developed a multi-pattern that causes the fine wrinkles on the liquid crystal high polymer surface to be oriented in different directions.
When fine wrinkles have different orientation, each features different brightness depending on the degree of light penetration, making it possible to create a specific image.
The multi-pattern can be used for identification tags for the transmission of information or for the prevention of counterfeit banknotes.
In reality, the research team succeeded in developing fine wrinkles that are invisible to the naked eye, on the surface of banknotes and wine labels. The fine wrinkles can be identified only with a right-angled polarizer.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
