Abstract: NIR-Watchdog is an innovative counterfeit detection technique developed by Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability, and Trust (SnT) in the University of Luxembourg. It can be applied in various industries. Based on the competitive analysis performed, it is ahead of other NIR software solutions. The product is scanning device agnostic (can use any) and can detect a deviation in a spectrum reflection and with an accuracy above 98%. The model applies AI algorithms, and the results are stored on a blockchain which can be used as a piece of court evidence. Currently, the team is completing a working product testing with one of the major food producers. The commercial use of the system has a wide range of applications for various industries and services, such as: Low quality (imitation/counterfeit) detection; Food quality inspection for regulatory purposes in Food industries, such as Chocolate, caviar, alcohol/spirits (especial mid-level Vodkas – Finlandia, Smirnoff, Absolut), and others Luxury cosmetics, clothes and accessories, Art – Paintings, sculptures, rare coins Agriculture, in determining optimal harvest timing by assessing fruit maturity, Animals’ nutrient analysis such as Instant check for the quality of animals’ food and many more.

Bio: Radu State is the Head of the research group SEDAN (Service and Data Management) at SnT and Professor at the University of Luxembourg. Before joining SnT and Luxembourg, Radu was Professor of Computer Science in Nancy at the University of Lorraine and a senior researcher (Chargé de recherche première classe) with INRIA (Institut de Recherche en Informatique), France. His main research interests are in the areas of Blockchain, Big Data Systems and Network Security. Having developed multiple industry partnerships as well as attracted important competitive co-funding cumulating over several millions euros over the last few years, his ambition is now go from applied research to spin-off creations and thus to create both a young and motivated entrepreneurship success story, but also generate high skill job opportunities for PhD graduates. Radu has been also active in disseminating and promoting science and technology to a larger audience. He has organized several meetups and hackathons in Fintech as a modest contribution within in a larger effort to establish Luxembourg as a leading place for innovation in Fintech.