Smartid - Secure and Unique Identification for Electronics and Materials at Individual Product Level

Tobias Jachum [Fraunhofer IAP]

 

Abstract: 

Often, counterfeit components, whether electronic or material components, cannot be clearly distinguished from the original components. This can pose a major risk to the entire device and to the user. Due to global supply bottlenecks for electronic components, more and more counterfeit electronic components and microchips are coming into circulation. To avoid this scenario, Fraunhofer has developed a tool for secure and unique identification at individual product level.

The aim is to guarantee secure and unambiguous labeling, recognition and verification of products down to the individual product level right from the start. The Fraunhofer SmartID project is developing a novel identification system that focuses on the uniqueness of the surface of each product or its packaging. Every object, a product or its packaging, has a surface that is unique in the submillimeter range. In this range, no two surfaces are alike, comparable to the fingerprint of a human being. By analyzing the surfaces of objects, a unique and unambiguous identity can be assigned to each object.

The recognition of this unique identity is done in a user friendly way using smartphones. The camera systems of modern smartphones can already extract and evaluate these sub-millimeter unique surfaces.

The developed technology uses smartphone-readable 2-dimensional code systems for verification. In these code systems the manufacturer's digital seal is also stored, creating a product identification that is not only unique but also secure.

In conclusion, using this technology we can create a non-falsifiable barcode/qr-code system.

Biography: 

Tobias Jachum [Fraunhofer IAP]

Tobias Jachum is a dedicated professional currently serving as a project manager at Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP. With a background in chemistry, he earned his Ph.D., showcasing his commitment to academic excellence. Tobias has been with CAN GmbH for six years, contributing his skills and knowledge to projects in the Hamburg region. Prior to his current role, he spent three and a half years as a Doktorand, demonstrating a substantial period of academic research and development. Tobias Jachum's journey reflects his steadfast commitment to applied polymer research and project management.