Case Studies - Information, Communication and Electronics

Because of the problems posed by forgery and parallel trading, there is a growing demand for sophisticated protection technologies. To combat counterfeiters, you need smarter and, ideally, self- authenticating technologies.

We have developed Opti - L&K^TM for security markets, using anti -counterfeiting technology derived from military countermeasures.

Opti - L&K^TM is a two-part optical security device (which is why the name is based on 'Lock' and 'Key'. The first component - the 'lock' - is applied to the article to be protected (such as part of a label). It is then verified by viewing the article through the second component - the 'key'. The characteristics of the 'key' complement those of the 'lock', and you can see dramatic optical effects when the two are combined. These would otherwise be absent in the individual devices. In principle, it can be used in transmission or reflection.

Opti - L&K^TM offers a unique combination of overt and covert security features, self-authentication, and verification by unskilled users.

QinetiQ's optical control technologies, used to develop Opti - L&K^TM, can be designed to meet a variety of brand or product protection applications. We can develop and tailor special designs for customers, such as colour combinations, infra-red characteristics, logos, bar codes or specific graphics. Variants can be processed in both film and engineered pigment form.

Anything is possible - just ask
This project is a prime example of how we are currently applying our knowledge and technology. We could do the same for you. Whatever your requirements or problems, we have the ideas, know how and solutions.