It has long been known that counterfeit goods have flooded practically almost every consumer market in the world, but scientists have now developed a stamping method, known as atomic fingerprinting, that one day might stamp them out for good.
Counterfeiting costs the global economy some $500 billion per year and is a problem that’s vast in scale, but the new anti-counterfeiting method being developed at Cornell University has the potential to change everything.
The method entails intentionally fabricating flaws into an atom-thin layer of material, such as graphene oxide, which is woven into an item such as a piece of clothing. For example, a carbon atom can be removed, or an oxygen atom can be added to create a unique pattern.
When that has been done, the material is added to an ink that’s used for printing a hologram onto an item. The presence of the atomic pattern can be identified by using a smartphone camera and its built-in flash to photograph the label.
The atoms in the “atomic fingerprint” are excited by the camera’s flash. They produce a unique color based on the pattern that was created and, the taken image can easily be analyzed using a smartphone app in order to confirm an item’s authenticity.
Seeing as counterfeiting is such a huge problem, solutions to it need to be easily adoptable by larger numbers of people. The technology’s developers are already working with a company that could print no less than 10 billion atomic fingerprints, and say that their very first application could be in the automotive industry.
They added that they expected their first products to come to market early next year, and will be working with the pharmaceutical industry to tackle the problem of counterfeit drugs. As I’m sure you can imagine, the applications for this new technology are virtually limitless, so counterfeit goods may well become a thing of the past in the future.
Content and image source: LiveScience
Second image by Deposit Photos.
Take a Trip in a Flight Simulator Worth $13 Million
What's it like to be trained inside an expensive flight simulator? Watch this video and find out!
E-Waste Is a Real Problem. What Can We Do About It?
About 6.9 million metric tons of e-waste was produced in the US alone in 2019, out of which only 15% was recycled. How can we solve the growing e-waste problem?
These New GMO Foods Could Soon be in a Shop Near You!
Scientists are creating new genetically modified foods all the time, and here you’ll find the latest foods that have been designed with the consumer in mind.
Extraordinary Inventions By Tesla That Were Never Built!
Nikola Tesla was a scientist too advanced for his time. Here are some of the inventions he never had a chance to build.
Do You Have a Lost Twin Somewhere in the World?
Learn the deep mechanisms in our brains that work to identify and remember hundreds of faces you know.
This New Clinic is Infusing Seniors With Young Blood
Older people are getting blood transfusions from younger people in order to regain their vitality and fight aging. Find out more about this procedure.
25 Pics Showing How People in the Past Imagined the Future
Let’s see how the people of the past imagined the future and find out if their fun predictions came true with these 25 vintage pictures
These 11 Brain Facts Are Enough to Boggle Your Mind
When you consider the sheer complexity of the human brain, it's difficult to wrap your head around it. Learn these 11 fascinating facts about the human brain.
Fascinating: What is the Deepest Hole Humanity Has Dug?
This video explains how low humanity has dug down so far.
This Man Built an Automatic Train System for Trash Cans!
Wouldn’t it be cool if a robot picked up and moved our garbage out for pickup with the push of a button?
This Secret Invention Changed the Course of WW2
Let’s take a closer look at the proximity fuze, also called Vt Fuze, an invention that changed the course of the second World War.
This Incredible Documentary Takes You Into the Human Body
A beautiful and graphically advanced animation sheds light on the mysteries of the human body.
Are Underwater Turbines the Answer to Our Energy Question?
One of the most promising technologies in the renewable energy market is the ocean. Learn all about it.
Six Inventions Da-Vinci Made Ahead of Their Time
He created and envisioned many inventions that were sometimes even centuries ahead of their time. Was there ever a genius as great as Da-Vinci?
Behind the Scenes of the Human-Like Atlas Robot
In this video, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the development of the incredible Atlas robot.
Your Voice is as Unique As Your Fingerprints
This fascinating video explains how this unique characteristic of humans works, and what makes our voices unique.
New Study: A Pill that Works Out Your Muscles?!?
New study shows that, though we are not there yet, a pill can and probably WILL come out that works out the muscles and grows them.
Why is Everyone Obsessed with This Weight-Loss Tool?
Ozempic has been touted as a wonder drug for weight loss in recent months. But what's the real truth behind it?
The World's Most Dangerous Blood Type
Today we will discuss the most dangerous blood type to have, the one you cannot get an infusion for. Let's delve right in and learn about this rare blood type.
Watch the Best HD Panorama Photo of Mars Ever Taken
Watch an incredible 1.8-Billion-Pixel panorama of the planet Mars that was recently captured by NASA's Curiosity rover.
17 Experiments That Produced Very Bizarre Results...
Take a look at this collection of photos showing how common people performed some fascinating accidental scientific experiments.
14 of the Most Fascinating Specialized Tools You'll See
We bet you haven’t seen these unique tools before!
Ever Wonder What Life Is Like if We Zoom In All the Way?
A selection of some of the winning photographs from Nikon's yearly macro photography contest.
These Will Give You True Perspective About Our World
Just to give you an idea of how big the Earth really is in true perspective to all the other heavenly bodies up there in the cosmos.
Revolutionize Your Green Space: 12 Cool Garden Gadgets
Take your garden to the next level with the amazingly cool inventions and gadgets.
25 Feats of Engineering that Leave Everyone Amazed
The amount of planning and sheer brain power it took to design and execute these structures, proving once again that there are true geniuses out there.
Scientists Develop 'Flying Dragon' Robot to Fight Fires
Scientists in Japan have created a water-spitting 'flying dragon' robot to fight fires.
The Disappearing Computer: Revolution on a Personal Scale
What happens when we lose the physical large computer all together? This lecture explains what ahead for computers.
Visual Illusions: What Color Are These Strawberries?
Tricking our brain into believing that something is one color or shape than another thing is surprisingly easy, but can we explain why?
13 Incredible ROOF INNOVATIONS For Your House
Keep the roof of your house safe with these incredibly useful inventions.
Future Technology: Inventions That Will Change Our World
Check out a few amazing futuristic inventions that are about to become mainstream.
Get a Sense of Scale of Just How Big SpaceX's Rockets Are
SpaceX is achieving incredible things in space, however it's difficult to picture just how big their rockets are. Take a look...
Ancient Skull Found In China Unlike Any Human Ever Seen
A newly-discovered skull in China had baffled scientists. This could mean we might have discovered an entirely new species of humans.
How It's Made: Merino Wool
Long before we invented moisture-wicking synthetic fibers, this type of wool did it naturally for centuries. Here's how it's produced.
8 Inventions of 2023 That Will Change The Way We Live
This year was a prominent one for ground-breaking innovations that will change the way we live.
Is it REALLY the Coffee that Wakes Us Up in the Morning?
A recent study has revealed that the coffee you drink may just be a placebo...
Breathalyzers May Be More Important Than You Thought
This video does a great job in breaking down how in the future, breath analysis can be used to detect disease and prevent more invasive procedures.
10 Incredible Animal-Inspired Robots
Let's meet some incredibly realistic robotic animals.
WATCH: What Is the Fingerprint of God's Creation?
The golden pattern, describes the mathematical code of the universe. Is this the scientific evidence of God's will and plan?
These Expensive Megaprojects Proved to be a Waste of Time
Not all megaprojects are useful. Here are some worthless ones.
24 Confusing Optical Illusions Explained - Fascinating!
How do our eyes fool the brain? Let's find out as a neuroscientist explains the truth behind the most confusing optical illusions.
Let's Talk About Size, From Big to Huge.
an incredible discovery that leads us to a better and better understanding of these objects' true size.
A Tunnel Built by a Swarm of Robots - Jaw-Dropping!
Imagine a swarm of robots attacking a mountain and smashing it to pieces...
The Facts You Didn't Know About the Human Body...
Discover 120 fascinating and surprising facts about your body you may not have known. Going over most of the body parts, you will learn so much you never knew about the body we all use.
How to Make Cleansing Hydrogen Water from an Old Battery
Let's embark on this scientific journey to unlock the potential of water and discover the practical uses of hydrogen and oxygen in everyday life.
Scientists Develop Wrap That Determines if Food is Spoiled
Scientists at MIT have developed a biodegradable plastic-like wrap that changes color when food goes bad. Find out more…
Toilets: The Greatest Medical Advancement in Human History
While toilets make some people laugh, they are actually a deadly serious medical advancement. This video explains what toilets mean to civilization.