The invention provides formulations and masterbatches of a polymeric material and XRF-identifiable markers, for producing transparent elements including a polymer and at least one XRF-identifiable marker for a variety of industrial uses.

An optical device including: a colour shifting layer that exhibits different colours dependent on the angle of incidence of incident light; first and second arrays of at least partially transparent microstructures covering at least part of the layer, configured to modify angle of light to generate a first optically variable effect, wherein: the first array is arranged as a set of image elements that cooperate to exhibit a first image, and the second is arranged to exhibit a second image, wherein the elements of the first array are interlaced with those of the second, and, the microstructures have at least one face that reflects incident light, whereby the first array is configured so, when viewed along a first viewing direction the device exhibits the first image, and the second is configured so, when viewed along a second direction the device exhibits the second image. Also, methods of manufacturing the device.

A data carrier with a cover layer, a base layer, and an information layer arrangement. The information layer arrangement includes at least a first information layer and a second information layer arranged after the first information layer along an extension direction. The first information layer and the second information layer have different optical properties, and the information layer arrangement has an unmodified region and at least one modified region, the at least one modified region having at least one recess extending at least partially into the first information layer along the extension direction. The at least one modified region is configured to reflect incident electromagnetic waves whereby a first reflection spectrum is generated, the unmodified region is configured to reflect said incident electromagnetic waves whereby a second reflection spectrum is generated, the first reflection spectrum being different from the second reflection spectrum.

A data carrier with a cover layer, a base layer, and an information layer arrangement. The information layer arrangement includes at least a first information layer and a second information layer arranged after the first information layer along an extension direction. The first information layer and the second information layer have different optical properties, and the information layer arrangement has an unmodified region and at least one modified region, the at least one modified region having at least one recess extending at least partially into the first information layer along the extension direction. The at least one modified region is configured to reflect incident electromagnetic waves whereby a first reflection spectrum is generated, the unmodified region is configured to reflect said incident electromagnetic waves whereby a second reflection spectrum is generated, the first reflection spectrum being different from the second reflection spectrum.

An article is authenticated by providing a magnetic security mark in the form of an optically-passive randomly-generated nanoscale magnetic pattern. The pattern is pre-imaged and this reference image is uploaded to a secure database along with an identifier for the article such as a serial number. A user of the article verifies its authenticity by scanning it magnetically to obtain a scanned image of the magnetic pattern. The serial number is used to retrieve the previously uploaded reference image which is compared to the scanned image. If the images match, the article's authenticity is confirmed. A single article may have multiple magnetic security marks, each unique, placed at predetermined, non-uniform locations. The magnetic patterns are generated using thin film deposition of yttrium iron garnet. In one embodiment the article is a physical key having additional security features, such as mechanical features and a radio-frequency identification chip.

An article is authenticated by providing a magnetic security mark in the form of an optically-passive randomly-generated nanoscale magnetic pattern. The pattern is pre-imaged and this reference image is uploaded to a secure database along with an identifier for the article such as a serial number. A user of the article verifies its authenticity by scanning it magnetically to obtain a scanned image of the magnetic pattern. The serial number is used to retrieve the previously uploaded reference image which is compared to the scanned image. If the images match, the article's authenticity is confirmed. A single article may have multiple magnetic security marks, each unique, placed at predetermined, non-uniform locations. The magnetic patterns are generated using thin film deposition of yttrium iron garnet. In one embodiment the article is a physical key having additional security features, such as mechanical features and a radio-frequency identification chip.

Described herein is a liquid electrostatic ink composition comprising a liquid carrier; and chargeable toner particles comprising a resin and an aluminium-based color-shifting pigment. Also described herein is a method of printing comprising: printing onto a substrate a liquid electrostatic ink composition comprising: a liquid carrier; and chargeable toner particles comprising a resin and an aluminium-based color-shifting pigment, and a printed article comprising a print substrate having printed thereon the electrostatic ink composition.

Described herein is a liquid electrostatic ink composition comprising a liquid carrier; and chargeable toner particles comprising a resin and an aluminium-based color-shifting pigment. Also described herein is a method of printing comprising: printing onto a substrate a liquid electrostatic ink composition comprising: a liquid carrier; and chargeable toner particles comprising a resin and an aluminium-based color-shifting pigment, and a printed article comprising a print substrate having printed thereon the electrostatic ink composition.

A process includes providing a first layer, which is made of a non-opaque plastic material having an initial thickness, covering an area of the first layer with a patterned plate, pressing the patterned plate against a first surface of the first layer so as to form first and second regions thereon, with the second region being thicker than the first region, and removing the patterned plate from the first surface. The patterned plate comprises a cavity having a size of that corresponds to a window.

A process includes providing a first layer, which is made of a non-opaque plastic material having an initial thickness, covering an area of the first layer with a patterned plate, pressing the patterned plate against a first surface of the first layer so as to form first and second regions thereon, with the second region being thicker than the first region, and removing the patterned plate from the first surface. The patterned plate comprises a cavity having a size of that corresponds to a window.