Given the security-related problems the whole world has gone through over the past couple of years, the development of more secure identification solutions has become extremely important, quite a lot of research teams from all around the world being involved in this field. And the latest announcement regarding a breakthrough in this segment comes from GE Global Research and SABIC Innovative Plastics, which have jointly developed a new class of holographic materials that could enable the appearance of some very secure ID solutions in the future.

As some of you might know, holograms are commonly used today for a variety of ID and card applications to verify their authenticity, but, unfortunately, they can be easily tampered with. However, the new Secure ID technology developed by the two research teams mentioned above uses volume holography to store information in a much higher security format, namely within the card material itself, making it virtually impossible for a card to be altered.

Another very innovative, unique aspect of the GE-SABIC Innovative Plastics’ special holographic material is that it is injection-moldable and can be shaped, while it also makes possible the development of other new applications in the security and authentication sectors.

“Whether you’re buying something at the store, passing through an airport checkpoint, or presenting proof of health insurance at the doctor’s office, virtually all of our common, everyday transactions are carried out using plastic,” Dr. Moitreyee Sinha, manager, Functional and Optical Materials Lab, said. “Ensuring the security of our bank cards and different forms of ID is essential in this increasingly digital age. GE-SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Secure ID card technology will provide a true step change in the level of security, making it virtually impossible to steal a person’s identity or tamper with their cards in any way.”

Tom Stanley, vice president of technology, SABIC Innovative Plastics, added, “The market opportunities for GE-SABIC Innovative Plastics’ holographic technology are numerous. Because these special holographic materials can be injection-molded, the potential applications of this technology could be expanded well beyond cards. You could use our technology to verify the authenticity of a variety of products, ranging from laptop computers, cell phones and other electronic devices to sunglasses and other consumer goods.”

Of course, the only thing that remains to be seen now is whether the estimated commercialization time frame (2012) will be attained by GE and SABIC, but we certainly hope so, given their importance for providing an enhanced level of security for people from all over the world.

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