A security element, preferably a security wire, for a secure document, may include a masking structure for reducing the visibility of a surface of the element when the latter is located inside the document or on the surface thereof, the masking structure comprising a mixture of at least two nanometric fillers.

A security element, preferably a security wire, for a secure document, may include a masking structure for reducing the visibility of a surface of the element when the latter is located inside the document or on the surface thereof, the masking structure comprising a mixture of at least two nanometric fillers.

A substrate can include at least two scintillator materials that are mixed at a predetermined ratio. In an embodiment, the scintillator materials can have a decay time difference of at least 50% when exposed to a same radiation source. In another embodiment, the scintillator materials can have a maximum emission wavelength difference of at least 25 nm when exposed to a same radiation source. At least one of the scintillator materials has a decay time of at most 10 s. A system can include the substrate and a logic element configured to determine an identity represented by the substrate. A method can include generating an electronic pulse in response to the substrate being exposed to a radiation source; and analyzing the electronic pulse to determine an identity represented by the substrate.

The present invention relates to a method of tagging a substrate with a covert, spectroscopically detectable security feature, wherein a liquid treatment composition comprising at least one acid is deposited onto a substrate, which comprises at least one external surface comprising a salifiable alkaline or alkaline earth compound.

The present invention relates to a method of tagging a substrate with a covert, spectroscopically detectable security feature, wherein a liquid treatment composition comprising at least one acid is deposited onto a substrate, which comprises at least one external surface comprising a salifiable alkaline or alkaline earth compound.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.

An anti-counterfeiting pattern having an optically variable structure, comprising lithographic lines and gravure blind embossed relief lines printed on a carrier. The lithographic lines are a set of lithographic curve lines having a curvature, the widths of the lithographic curve lines changing from thick to thin, or thin to thick. The gravure blind embossed relief lines are a set of curve lines corresponding to the lithographic lines, and having the same curvature. The relief lines are overprinted on the lithographic lines with a width variation identical to that of said lithographic lines. Accurate overprinting of the two printing types forms a curved relief structure wherein the width of the lines changes continuously. When a printed product is rotated and observed, a continuously variable optical effect will be seen, which is visual, readily to identify, anti-copying and difficult to forgery.

An anti-counterfeiting pattern having an optically variable structure, comprising lithographic lines and gravure blind embossed relief lines printed on a carrier. The lithographic lines are a set of lithographic curve lines having a curvature, the widths of the lithographic curve lines changing from thick to thin, or thin to thick. The gravure blind embossed relief lines are a set of curve lines corresponding to the lithographic lines, and having the same curvature. The relief lines are overprinted on the lithographic lines with a width variation identical to that of said lithographic lines. Accurate overprinting of the two printing types forms a curved relief structure wherein the width of the lines changes continuously. When a printed product is rotated and observed, a continuously variable optical effect will be seen, which is visual, readily to identify, anti-copying and difficult to forgery.

A near-infrared-absorption white material, a method of manufacturing the same, and uses thereof. The near-infrared-absorption material includes copper pyrophosphate compound. The copper pyrophosphate compound has a brightness (CIE L*) value of 90 or more in a visible-ray region and is excellent in particle manufacturing properties, and a crystalline structure of the copper pyrophosphate compound is made chemically stable using a heat treatment at a high temperature. The copper pyrophosphate compound is represented by the following chemical formula:

Cu.sub.2P.sub.2O.sub.7 or Cu.sub.2P.sub.2O.sub.7.XH.sub.2O (x=13).