The technology 'fingerprint' anti-counterfeit money

Scientists have invented tiny "fingerprints" that help to counter money and credit cards effectively.

According to a report in the journal Nanotechnology, new dedicated "fingerprints" are made of tiny nanowires, measuring 10 to 50 micrometers (of which 1 micron = 1 / million meters) The width of a hair (18 - 80 micro). Each unique fingerprint sample contains about 20 to 30 silver strips scattered over a thin plastic film.

An expert examining a 50 Euro note is suspected of being fake. (Photo: Corbis)

Researchers claim that their new invention will make even the most skilful "craftsmen" hand in hand.

"It's almost impossible to imitate nano-fingerprints , because manipulating tiny nanofibers into a desirable pattern is extremely difficult." The cost of creating an identical sample would generally be much higher than the value of " said Professor Hyotcherl Ihee of the Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Korea.

The inventive nanofibers are made up of a solution and then coated with silica dioxide and fluorescent dyes before being implanted into a polyethylene terephthalate film - the material being used to produce Produce transparent plastic bottles. The cost of producing a fingerprint is about $ 0.83.

In particular, the luminescent dye allows fingerprints, which are invisible to the naked eye, to be authentic under an optical microscope. It can add another layer of complexity if different colors are used.

In the hope that the new type of fingerprint could be used as a counterfeit stamp on a variety of goods, from electronics, pharmaceuticals to paper money and credit cards. They may also be accompanied by a bar code or other identifying signature, which helps in searching faster in the database as well as mitigating the fraudulent verification and identification.