Anti-counterfeiting ink to combat duplication of currency, documents

New Delhi, Oct 30: The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced the development of a novel anti-counterfeiting ink that powers luminescent nanomaterials to enhance security and prevent counterfeiting of currency, certificates, branded goods, and medicines.

This new ink, crafted by scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), integrates rare earth materials to produce a range of colours under various light wavelengths, offering unique visual cues for authenticity verification, press release of the ministry said.

The global problem of counterfeiting has spurred researchers to explore advanced solutions, with INST’s new ink addressing common limitations of current covert tags—security features typically visible only under UV light and prone to duplication.

INST’s ink, however, delivers “excitation-dependent luminescence,” emitting vibrant, distinct colours under different types of light. For example, it glows blue under 365 nm light, pink under 395 nm, and orange-red under 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) light. Moreover, it maintains its stability across various conditions, including temperature, light, and humidity changes.

Developed through a straightforward co-precipitation process at 120°C, the nanomaterials were blended into commercially available PVC ink via sonication, ensuring even distribution of nanoparticles. Screen-printing techniques were then used to produce patterns and characters that vividly change colour under specific lighting, showcasing the ink's effectiveness.

This innovation could revolutionise anti-counterfeiting across multiple industries, offering an accessible tool for both consumers and manufacturers to verify the authenticity of items.