Surrey-based Nanotech Security Corp. (TSX-V:NTS) announced this morning that its researchers have successfully created a way of mass-producing its banknote security features – security marks that use nano-holes to produce an iridescent effect similar to that of the Morpho Butterfly.
The company contends that because of its highly specialized equipment and patented algorithms, its technology is more secure than readily-forged authentification features such as watermarks and holograms.
“We’re essentially aiming to replace the hologram in the security market,” said Clint Landrock, the company’s chief technology officer.
Landrock said the security features can be used on anything from banknotes to passports and travel visas, to tickets company brand marks.
He said the company’s latest advancement is a master shim: a printing-press type technology that banknote and other manufacturers can use to reproduce Nanotech’s iridescent security features.
“When we started out we introduced the concept to several world banks and they loved it and they said ‘yeah, go prove that concept.’ And we were able to produce those features and we showed those features and they were very, very excited.”
But Landrock noted the company soon discovered it couldn’t find a company that was capable of reproducing the features.
So Nanotech set out to develop that technology. Today’s announcement, Landrock said, is that the company has successfully done so.
“It’s huge,” he said.
The company says it has had ongoing discussions with numeous third parties and has been asked to produce master shims for commercial trials by a number of those parties. Landrock couldn’t confirm any sales, but said that this latest development allows the company to take its product to market.
Jenny Wagler
Twitter: JennyWagler_BIV