Page 153 - CW E-Magazine (12-11-2024)

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VERIFYING AUTHENTICITY

Anti-counterfeiting ink developed using luminescent

nanomaterials can curb document duplication

Counterfeiting is a growing problem under UV light and can be easily dupli- These printed patterns, when exposed
worldwide and researchers are trying to cated. The new ink offers enhanced to different wavelengths of light, clearly
fi nd unique ways to prevent it. Lumi- security features through its ability to showed the desired colour changes,
nescent properties of rare earth ions and display different colours under vari- proving the effectiveness of the ink.
the characteristic emissions of bismuth ous light wavelengths. Specifi cally,
have long been known. the ink appears vibrant blue under 365 By combining rare earth ions with
nm light, pink under 395 nm light, and well-known luminescent properties and
Scientists at the Institute of Nano orange-red under 980 nm near-infrared bismuth with characteristic emissions
Science and Technology (INST), an (NIR) light and remains effective under the team was able to enhance the encryp-
autonomous institute of Department a range of light, temperature, and tion and decryption capabilities of the
of Science and Technology, have used humidity conditions. ink, improving its security potential.
this property of rare earth materials, to
synthesis a fi rst of its kind security ink The luminescent nanomaterial was The luminescent ink made from
based on luminescent nanomaterials synthesised using a simple co-precipi- these nanomaterials has significant
with rare earth doping, enabling exci- tation method at 120°C. After synthe- potential to combat counterfeiting. It can
tation dependent luminescence (under sis, the nanomaterials were dispersed be applied to fake-proof various items,
both UV and NIR light it gives visible into commercially available PVC ink including currency, certifi cates, medi-
emission). using sonication (process of dispers- cines, and branded products. This al-
ing nanoparticles into solvent by ap- lows both consumers and manufactu-
The ink can overcome the limita- plying sound energy).This mixture was rers to easily verify the authenticity
tions of current covert tags, which are then used to create patterns and letters of their items, providing a simple yet
security features usually visible only through a screen-printing technique. powerful tool to detect counterfeits.

IMPROVING FINANCIAL RETURNS
SEA urges govt to re-evaluate banon export of

de-oiled rice bran

The Solvent Extractors’ Associa- hindering them from realising better mains under developed in this part of the
tion of India (SEA) hasurged the gov- returns on their produce. country, and there is limited demand.
ernment to urgently re-evaluate the Further more, the exorbitant freight
ban on the export of de-oiled ricebran Reliable supplier charges to move DORB from eastern
(DORB).In a letter to various Central Exporters from India, he noted, India to major consuming areas such as
Ministers, SEA said this decision could had successfully developed overseas southern or western parts of India make
have far-reaching negative consequences markets for DORB over the last 30 exports the most convenient and cost-
for multiple sectors. years, primarily serving customers in effective way of disposal of DORB
Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh and inthe region, he said.
According to Mr. Sanjeev Asthana, other Asian countries. “This abrupt ban
President, SEA, India is a protein (oil on export of DORB has given opportu- He said the Government’s reason-
meal) surplus country and the total nity to other competing countries to ing for the export ban on DORB since
export of DORB was less than 10% of capture the Indian export market,” he said. July 2023 – higher milk prices because
its production. Restriction on its export Eastern States, particularly West Bengal of higher animal feed costs – does not
had adversely affected processors and and Odisha, are signifi cant producers hold, as DORB’scost contribution to
exporters along with paddy farmers, of DORB. The cattle feed industry re- the milk price is nominal.

Chemical Weekly November 12, 2024 153

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