Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Wrinkle wavelength tunable from 6.1 to 25.0 μm via orthogonal modulation of plasma power, pressure, and time, enabling precise control over optical properties for anti-counterfeiting applications. • • Cryptographic performance metrics: uniformity close to 0.5, Shannon entropy close to 1, and inter-/intra-label Hamming distance approximately 0.5, ensuring high unpredictability and uniqueness of PUF labels. • • Environmental stability: similarity >84% after storage at 2°C and 50°C for 48 h, demonstrating robustness for real-world deployment in varied climates. • • Dual-mode luminescence from UCNPs and RE-MOFs provides full-spectrum emission, enabling spatially segmented fluorescence for multi-level security and easy verification with simple optical equipment.
Abstract
Counterfeit products have become widespread, necessitating advanced anti-counterfeiting solutions. Inspired by random wrinkles on peanut surfaces, we propose a biologically physical unclonable function (PUF) label with all-optical anti-counterfeiting. Using spatially selective plasma etching, a single-material random wrinkling strategy overcomes limitations of traditional double-layer wrinkling, such as low entropy and complex processes, enabling selective wrinkling in fixed areas. Innovative introduction of dual-modal luminescent micron defects in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films enables orthogonal control and coordination of the frequency domain of unpredictable wrinkles at the mesoscopic scale, promoting transition from long-range anisotropy to short-range isotropy. Verification requires only simple optical equipment, providing cost-effectiveness and ease of detection. This anti-counterfeiting system incorporates three collaborative security mechanisms: (i) high-entropy PUF encoded wrinkle fingerprints, (ii) angle-sensitive Bragg-like structural colors, and (iii) spatially segmented dual-mode fluorescence. The label exhibits near-ideal cryptographic properties: uniformity close to 0.5, Shannon entropy close to 1, Hamming distance approximately 0.5, and robust environmental stability (similarity >84% after storage at 2°C and 50°C for 48 h). Plasma parameter modulation enables continuous tuning of wrinkle wavelength from 6.1 to 25.0 μm. The system's straightforward preparation, portable verification, and anti-spoofing capabilities position it for real-world applications in secure packaging, high-value product labels, and smart encryption, with potential extension to flexible electronics and wearable security systems.
1. Introduction
Traditional encryption algorithms, such as RSA and AES, rely on mathematically complex keys that are vulnerable to quantum computing and side-channel attacks. Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) offer a physical one-way function based on inherent randomness, generating unique keys from microscopic structural features. Optical PUFs, particularly surface micro-texture-based ones, enable non-contact reading and rapid verification without complex equipment, surpassing fluorescence, scattering, or diffraction methods that require large lasers or precise instruments. However, most surface micro-texture PUFs rely on a single static feature, limiting information capacity and anti-counterfeiting levels, failing to meet high-security demands.
Polymer surface micro-wrinkle technology has attracted attention due to its physical randomness, but traditional bilayer wrinkling suffers from low entropy and complex processes. This study introduces a single-material random wrinkling strategy using spatially selective plasma etching, overcoming these limitations. By incorporating dual-modal luminescent micron defects in PDMS films, the system achieves orthogonal control of wrinkle frequency domains, transitioning from long-range anisotropy to short-range isotropy. This enables multi-level anti-counterfeiting with three collaborative mechanisms: high-entropy PUF fingerprints, angle-sensitive structural colors, and dual-mode fluorescence, all verifiable with simple optical equipment.
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Shiyu Deng, Yan Li, Jinyue Xie, Ye Tian, Huan Tang, Ziyu Chen, Yanyan Li, Feng Song, Wei Huang (2026). Functional Micro-Defect Modified Plasma-Induced Physical Unclonable Function Wrinkle Labels Exhibiting Dual-Mode Luminescence and Angle-Tunable Structural Colors. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3752-0
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the failure mechanisms of the PUF labels under mechanical stress or repeated handling?
The study reports robust environmental stability with similarity >84% after storage at 2°C and 50°C for 48 h, but does not specify mechanical stress tests. For practical deployment, further testing under bending, scratching, or abrasion is needed to assess durability.
How does the cost of this plasma-induced wrinkling process compare to conventional bilayer methods?
The single-material strategy simplifies fabrication by eliminating the need for a second layer, potentially reducing material and processing costs. However, the cost of plasma etching equipment and rare-earth dopants (UCNPs, RE-MOFs) must be considered. No quantitative cost analysis is provided in the paper.
What is the scalability of this fabrication method for mass production?
The method uses spatially selective plasma etching, which can be scaled to large areas using roll-to-roll or batch processing. However, uniformity and throughput need optimization. The paper does not provide production-scale data, but the simplicity of the process suggests potential for industrial adoption.
Can the dual-mode luminescence be easily read with portable devices, and what is the detection limit?
The verification process requires only simple optical equipment, such as a UV lamp or laser pointer, to excite the dual-mode luminescence. The paper does not specify detection limits, but the high entropy and uniqueness of the PUF patterns ensure reliable authentication even with low-cost readers.
How does the angle-tunable structural color contribute to anti-counterfeiting, and what is the angular sensitivity?
The structural colors are Bragg-like and angle-sensitive, meaning the perceived color changes with viewing angle. This adds a dynamic visual feature that is difficult to replicate. The paper does not quantify the angular range, but it enhances security by requiring specific viewing conditions for verification.
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