Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier comprising a storage layer forming a plurality of first surface elements (6). The storage layer (2) has at least one optical characteristic, which is optically anisotropic and which varies spatially between the first surface elements (6). A cover layer (3) over the storage layer (2) forms a plurality of second surface elements (10), each acting as a polarization filter for a predetermined polarization direction. The predetermined polarization direction varies between the second surface elements (10). The storage layer can contain in particular bacteriorhodopsin in the form of a purple membrane. The invention also relates to a method for the production and reading of a data carrier of this type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier comprising a storage layer forming a plurality of first surface elements (6). The storage layer (2) has at least one optical characteristic, which is optically anisotropic and which varies spatially between the first surface elements (6). A cover layer (3) over the storage layer (2) forms a plurality of second surface elements (10), each acting as a polarisation filter for a predetermined polarisation direction. The predetermined polarisation direction varies between the second surface elements (10). The storage layer can contain in particular bacteriorhodop sin in the form of a purple membrane. The invention also relates to a method for the production and reading of a data carrier of this type.

Abstract: A product having a substrate and a color application applied thereto is specified. The color application comprises, in each of a first area element and a second area element, at least one color layer (32) comprising a retinal protein which shows a color change when illuminated. Present in at least one of the area elements is a functional layer (33, 33?) which alters the proton availability for the retinal protein in the area element in question, such that the color change of the retinal protein in the first area element and in the second area element shows a different time dependence and/or light sensitivity.

Abstract: A product having a substrate and an ink application applied thereto. The ink application exhibits a time-dependent visual effect, e.g. an ink colour change which occurs in different surface elements (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) with different time-dependencies. The time-dependent visual effect allows the creation of e.g. a spatial “migration” of the ink colour change instead of a simple ink colour change.