Among other concepts, this disclosure describes a thermal/optical/electronic authentication system (covert or non-covert) for device/system implementations. The authentication system may be based on different design parameters such as i) materials composition, ii) thickness of material, iii) geometry of material, iv) external effects including use of an external DC bias and curing, etc. The authentication testbeds can be configured to include one or more inks. Using such methods as discussed herein, the authentication can be broadened to include near-IR (700-900 nm), short wave IR (1-2.6 mm), and UVA (300-400 nm) or any spectrum. Printed resistors are very difficult to duplicate without Ag-BST13 ink. If necessary, a printed resistor network on a respective substrate can be hidden using a layer of non-sintered Ag-BST13 (non-conductive).

Disclosed is a composite particle for use in a marking that is suitable for identification/authentication purposes. The particle comprises at least one superparamagnetic portion and at least one thermoluminescent portion coated with an thermoisolating portion. Optionally also a thermoconductive portion between the superparamagnetic and thermoluminscent portions.

The present invention is provided with: a heat source unit; a heat detection unit that detects the intensity of light of a prescribed wavelength obtained from paper sheets in which heat provided from the heat source unit is stored; and a control unit that detects, on the basis of the intensity of the light of the prescribed wavelength obtained from the paper sheets, a repaired paper sheet which has been repaired with a repair member.

The present invention is provided with: a heat source unit; a heat detection unit that detects the intensity of light of a prescribed wavelength obtained from paper sheets in which heat provided from the heat source unit is stored; and a control unit that detects, on the basis of the intensity of the light of the prescribed wavelength obtained from the paper sheets, a repaired paper sheet which has been repaired with a repair member.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to photothermal-responsive melanin-based nanocomposites comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic melanin nanoparticles distributed with a polymer matrix suitable for use in anti-counterfeiting, photothermal responsive-communication, sensors, and heat management, among other applications. In some embodiments, the present invention will be an ink, paint, or other coating comprising the photothermal-responsive melanin-based nanocomposites. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a written message or design comprising one or more of the photothermal-responsive melanin-based nanocomposites. In some of these embodiments, the written message or design will be comprised of two ore more of the photothermal-responsive melanin-based nanocomposites having different concentrations of natural or synthetic melanin nanoparticles.

The present disclosure relates to portable devices for detecting substandard or counterfeit materials on-site at ports of entry or other locations where the materials are situated, preferably before acceptance or entry of such materials into the supply chain. In particular, the devices and methods relate to use of a handheld probe capable of applying a temperature change to the surface of a suspect material at a contact area, sensing the material's temperature response at one or more surface locations distinct from the contact area, and comparing the temperature response data to a reference standard, which corresponds to temperature response of a standard or noncounterfeit sample.

The present disclosure relates to portable devices for detecting substandard or counterfeit materials on-site at ports of entry or other locations where the materials are situated, preferably before acceptance or entry of such materials into the supply chain. In particular, the devices and methods relate to use of a handheld probe capable of applying a temperature change to the surface of a suspect material at a contact area, sensing the material's temperature response at one or more surface locations distinct from the contact area, and comparing the temperature response data to a reference standard, which corresponds to temperature response of a standard or noncounterfeit sample.

Among other concepts, this disclosure describes a thermal/optical/electronic authentication system (covert or non-covert) for device/system implementations. The authentication system may be based on different design parameters such as i) materials composition, ii) thickness of material, iii) geometry of material, iv) external effects including use of an external DC bias and curing, etc. The authentication testbeds can be configured to include one or more inks. Using such methods as discussed herein, the authentication can be broadened to include near-IR (700-900 nm), short wave IR (1-2.6 mm), and UVA (300-400 nm) or any spectrum. Printed resistors are very difficult to duplicate without Ag-BST13 ink. If necessary, a printed resistor network on a respective substrate can be hidden using a layer of non-sintered Ag-BST13 (non-conductive).

The present invention is provided with: a heat source unit; a heat detection unit that detects the intensity of light of a prescribed wavelength obtained from paper sheets in which heat provided from the heat source unit is stored; and a control unit that detects, on the basis of the intensity of the light of the prescribed wavelength obtained from the paper sheets, a repaired paper sheet which has been repaired with a repair member.

The present invention is provided with: a heat source unit; a heat detection unit that detects the intensity of light of a prescribed wavelength obtained from paper sheets in which heat provided from the heat source unit is stored; and a control unit that detects, on the basis of the intensity of the light of the prescribed wavelength obtained from the paper sheets, a repaired paper sheet which has been repaired with a repair member.