SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS
GE collaboration develops hologram ID cards / High security from embedded data / Range of applications
Sabic Innovative Plastics (SIP, Bergen op Zoom / The Netherlands; www.sabic-ip.com) and GE Global Research (Niskayuna, New York / USA www.ge.com/research) have collaborated to develop a new class of holographic materials that could increase ID card security in the future. Because the materials can be processed in plastic, the new technology could serve as a next generation platform for a variety of ID badges or cards, including driver’s licenses and passports, employee badges, credit cards and access and other identity cards. The companies are targeting commercialisation of the technology by 2012.
“Secure ID” technology uses volume holography to store information in a much higher security format. Holograms are commonly used for a variety of ID and card applications to verify their authenticity. However, because they are only stamped on the surface of a card, this can be compromised. The new technology stores holograms within the card material itself, making it virtually impossible for a card to be altered, the companies claim. The holographic material can be injection moulded and shaped, which is claimed to be a first for the industry.
The companies say the technology could enable other new applications in the security and authentication sectors. As such, fingerprinting and biometric scans that are used to fast – track airport screening could be accelerated and made more robust by storing these records on the ID card as a high resolution holographic image.
Moitreyee Sinha, manager of the functional and optical materials lab, said: “We can store 3-D images of a person’s face, record their fingerprints and even create unique animations within our holographic plastic materials. We also can control the visibility of what a person can see on the card. This will enable varying levels of security features that are needed for different applications.”
In November 2009, Bayer MaterialScience (BMS, Leverkusen / Germany; www.bayerbms.com) launched its own high security technology for ID cards using a film system based on “Makrofol” ID DP1230 that allows coloured “watermarks” to be incorporated into polycarbonate security cards – see Plasteurope.com of 24.11.2009.
“Secure ID” technology uses volume holography to store information in a much higher security format. Holograms are commonly used for a variety of ID and card applications to verify their authenticity. However, because they are only stamped on the surface of a card, this can be compromised. The new technology stores holograms within the card material itself, making it virtually impossible for a card to be altered, the companies claim. The holographic material can be injection moulded and shaped, which is claimed to be a first for the industry.
The companies say the technology could enable other new applications in the security and authentication sectors. As such, fingerprinting and biometric scans that are used to fast – track airport screening could be accelerated and made more robust by storing these records on the ID card as a high resolution holographic image.
Moitreyee Sinha, manager of the functional and optical materials lab, said: “We can store 3-D images of a person’s face, record their fingerprints and even create unique animations within our holographic plastic materials. We also can control the visibility of what a person can see on the card. This will enable varying levels of security features that are needed for different applications.”
In November 2009, Bayer MaterialScience (BMS, Leverkusen / Germany; www.bayerbms.com) launched its own high security technology for ID cards using a film system based on “Makrofol” ID DP1230 that allows coloured “watermarks” to be incorporated into polycarbonate security cards – see Plasteurope.com of 24.11.2009.
04.12.2009 Plasteurope.com [214968]
Published on 04.12.2009
German version of this article...