Abstract: Surface-structured polymer bodies in which polymer bodies with dimensions of at least ?100 cm2 are present. The surfaces of the bodies are at least partially covered with at least one nano- to micrometer-thick layer, and the layers are physically and/or chemically coupled to the polymer bodies, and the surface of the polymer bodies with the layers is at least partially deformed. The deformation is periodic within a deformation type and the arrangement of multiple different deformation types on a polymer body is anisotropic or isotropic, and the elastic modulus of the material of the polymer body is less than the elastic modulus of the layer materials.

Abstract: An identification label with a three-dimensional wrinkled structure may be formed by depositing a hard film with a high elastic modulus on an elongated substrate of a lower elastic modulus. Wrinkles with defects develop as the substrate is subsequently allowed to relax. Defects such as ridge endings and ridge bifurcations are randomly distributed over the wrinkled surface, and allow to uniquely identify any given identification label with the high degree of accuracy. Since the formation of defects is a random process, the wrinkled structure cannot be reproduced or counterfeited. The labels are thus forgery-proof.