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| Invisible nanoparticle barcode could fight crime | Invisible nanoparticle barcode could fight crime |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| An invisible barcode is being developed to track explosives, medicines and bank notes, scientists report. | An invisible barcode is being developed to track explosives, medicines and bank notes, scientists report. |
| A team from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the US has found that some nanoparticles have unique characteristics that can be used to mark items. | A team from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the US has found that some nanoparticles have unique characteristics that can be used to mark items. |
| The researchers say the technique could link objects to their manufacturer, seller or buyer. | The researchers say the technique could link objects to their manufacturer, seller or buyer. |
| The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports. | The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports. |
| "Nanoparticles are so small, they can be put into any objects," said Dr Ming Su, who carried out the research. | "Nanoparticles are so small, they can be put into any objects," said Dr Ming Su, who carried out the research. |
| Using barcodes to mark and trace objects is now used widely by manufacturers. | Using barcodes to mark and trace objects is now used widely by manufacturers. |
| But the researchers say that covert barcodes could be used to fight crime and reduce counterfeiting. | But the researchers say that covert barcodes could be used to fight crime and reduce counterfeiting. |
| The team have found that some nanoparticles can be added to items such as explosives, ink and medicines during the manufacturing process. | The team have found that some nanoparticles can be added to items such as explosives, ink and medicines during the manufacturing process. |
| Because these particles have a unique melting point that can be detected with scanners, they provide a "thermal" barcode. | Because these particles have a unique melting point that can be detected with scanners, they provide a "thermal" barcode. |
| Dr Su said: "The nanoparticle does not participate in any chemical reaction, and it will not affect the function of the existing object. The only thing it will do is to provide a thermal signature." | |
| To demonstrate, the team added tiny particles to dinitrotoluene, a precursor to TNT. They found that the unique "tag" could be detected even after the explosive has detonated. | To demonstrate, the team added tiny particles to dinitrotoluene, a precursor to TNT. They found that the unique "tag" could be detected even after the explosive has detonated. |
| Dr Su said the method could also be used to prevent fraud. | Dr Su said the method could also be used to prevent fraud. |
| "For instance you can add this to a currency note, and then check whether this currency note is a fake one or a true one," he said. | "For instance you can add this to a currency note, and then check whether this currency note is a fake one or a true one," he said. |
| The researchers said organic nanoparticles could be used in a similar way in medicines for drug authentication. | The researchers said organic nanoparticles could be used in a similar way in medicines for drug authentication. |
| A company is now looking to further develop the technology, but it is not the only invisible barcode technique being investigated. | A company is now looking to further develop the technology, but it is not the only invisible barcode technique being investigated. |
| Other methods include using fluorescent tags, inscribing tiny marks on objects such as diamonds and DNA barcodes. | Other methods include using fluorescent tags, inscribing tiny marks on objects such as diamonds and DNA barcodes. |
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