Rainbow Hologram

Chemists at ITMO University in St. Petersburg has figured out a way to produce holograms—similar to the strips that you can find on credit cards and IDs—using things that you probably already have in your own home: Paper, ink and an inkjet printer.

The technique makes use of ink made of colourless nanocrystalline titania and a pre microembossed paper. "The peculiarity of our ink is high refractive index in all visible range of light," said project supervisor Alexander Vinogradov, who co-authored a paper on the discovery. "The use of nanocrystalline ink forms a layer with high refractive index, which helps preserve the rainbow holographic effect after the varnish or a polymer layer is applied on top."

Implications on Security

Traditional ways to produce the rainbow hologram are known to be expensive, difficult, and time consuming, which is why it is typically added to bank cards, IDs or other important documents as an added layer of security. Accessibility to this technology might have major implications for the security industry. With the process being simplified and made more affordable, the need to create new or provide additional physical security measures to prevent forgery.

 

 

 


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