Abstract: A first fuel and a second fuel are marked with a marker that can be detected quantitatively in a predetermined concentration range. The second fuel is marked with a binary marker. Decreased concentration of the quantitative marker, presence of a binary marker, or both may be indicative of a fuel that is altered (e.g., mixed, laundered, diluted, or adulterated). Testing a fuel includes testing the fuel for a presence of a first marker in the fuel in a predetermined concentration range, and testing the fuel for a presence of a second marker. The presence of the first marker in the predetermined concentration range and an absence of the second marker may be indicative that the fuel is unaltered. The presence of the first marker in the fuel in a concentration less than the predetermined concentration range or the presence of the second marker may be indicative that the fuel is altered.

Abstract: A device detects multi-spectral imaging by using scan elements. The device may include an illumination module and a detection module to detect light scattered from an object illuminated by the illumination module. The device may also include an array of light sources to produce light at a plurality of different wavelengths, and create a line of illumination with each of the different wavelengths. The light detection may be applied to authenticate and validate documents, such as banknotes moving along a document conveyer.

Abstract: A light source is gated ON and OFF in response to a pulsed signal. Photo emissions from the light source are coupled to a material under test. Resonant fluorescent emissions from the material are coupled to a photodiode. Current from the photodiode is coupled into an amplifier system comprising a first and second amplifier stages. The first amplifier stage is gated to a low gain when the light source is turned ON and the gain is increased when the light source goes from ON to OFF. The second amplifier stage has digitally programmable offset and gain settings in response to control signals. The output of the second amplifier stage is digitized by an analog to digital converter. A controller generates the pulse control signal and the control signals.

Abstract: Device and methods for detecting/quantifying a fluorescent taggant in a liquid sample. Generally, the liquid samples are fuels having low concentrations (measured in ppb) of a fluorescent taggant. The detection/quantification generates a predicted concentration of the fluorescent tagging compound using a process selected from the group of a multivariate process, a background subtraction process, or a combination of both. The invention addresses the detection of an adulteration of gasoline and diesel fuels.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for direct detection of one or more markers in pressurized hydrocarbon fluids. The apparatus includes a vessel (130) and one or more valves (150, 160, 170). The hydrocarbon fluid (240) may be a liquid or gas. Markers may include a variety of optical markers, such as fluorescent markers. The apparatus may be coupled to a hydrocarbon fluid source (210), and the vessel (130) may be at least partially filled with hydrocarbon fluid from the hydrocarbon fluid source (210). A> detector (140) coupled to the vessel (130) may be used to detect at least one of the markers in the hydrocarbon fluid (240) while the apparatus is coupled to the hydrocarbon fluid source (210) and without the addition of reagents. Detection of markers may include, for example, fluorescence detection.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extraction, identification, authentication, and quantification of one or more covert markers in a material are disclosed. An extraction system includes a first plug flow mixer for mixing a first fluid bearing a marker and transfer agent into a plug flow. The mixing and flowing of the immiscible liquids causes transfer of the marker from the fluid to the transfer agent. A splitter having filters of different surface energies separates the two immiscible liquids, the transfer agent bearing the marker. A second plug flow can be used to transfer the marker to a second transfer agent. The transferred marker is detected to authenticate the original fluid. The marker can be further isolated, activated, or reacted to perform detection, identification or authentication. With the device, a number of independent processing and analytic steps are combined onto a single, portable unit.

Abstract: A device detects multi-spectral imaging by using scan elements. The device may include an illumination module and a detection module to detect light scattered from an object illuminated by the illumination module. The device may also include an array of light sources to produce light at a plurality of different wavelengths, and create a line of illumination with each of the different wavelengths. The light detection may be applied to authenticate and validate documents, such as banknotes moving along a document conveyer.

Abstract: A method and composition for identifying chemically tagged petroleum products can be achieved by adding one or more chemicals to a selected petroleum product wherein the chemical is immune to extraction from the petroleum product by conventional inexpensive absorbents, cannot be removed by extraction with acids, bases, or immiscible solvents, cannot be easily oxidized, reduced or reacted with common agents, is difficult to disguise by masking with other agents, has a low polarity, and has a boiling point in the range of the petroleum products the chemical is being added to. The presence of the chemical is determined by using ion mobility spectroscopy.

Abstract: A known amount of marker may be added to a pressurized hydrocarbon fluid, or combined with an additive to form a mixture, and the mixture may be added to a pressurized hydrocarbon fluid. An amount of the marker in the hydrocarbon fluid may be determined. An amount of the additive in the hydrocarbon fluid may be determined based on the amount of the marker in the pressurized hydrocarbon fluid. An inline system may be used for detection of a marker in a pressurized hydrocarbon fluid. The system is fixed in a pressurized hydrocarbon fluid supply line such that pressurized hydrocarbon fluid flowing from a first location to a second location in the supply line passes through the detection system. The hydrocarbon fluid may be a liquid or a gas. The markers may include a variety of optical markers, such as fluorescent markers. Detection of the markers may include, for example, fluorescence detection.

Abstract: A light source is gated ON and OFF in response to a pulsed signal. Photo emissions from the light source are coupled to a material under test. Resonant fluorescent emissions from the material are coupled to a photodiode. Current from the photodiode is coupled into an amplifier system comprising a first and second amplifier stages. The first amplifier stage is gated to a low gain when the light source is turned ON and the gain is increased when the light source goes from ON to OFF. The second amplifier stage has digitally programmable offset and gain settings in response to control signals. The output of the second amplifier stage is digitized by an analog to digital converter. A controller generates the pulse control signal and the control signals.

Abstract: A device detects multi-spectral imaging by using line scan elements. The device may include an illumination module and a detection module to detect light scattered from an object illuminated by the illumination module. The device may also include an array of light sources to produce light at a plurality of different wavelengths, and create a uniform line of illumination with each of the different wavelengths. The light detection may be applied to authenticate and validate documents, such as bank notes moving along a document conveyer.

Abstract: Formation of an authentication element by deposition of a metal layer with embedded particles on a metal substrate, wherein the embedded particles are configured to convert energy from one wavelength to another. The embedded particles may be upconverters, downconverters, or phosphorescent phosphors, which can be detected and measured with analytical equipment when deposited in the metal layer. A metal substrate may include coinage.

Abstract: A first fuel and a second fuel are marked with a marker that can be detected quantitatively in a predetermined concentration range. The second fuel is marked with a binary marker. Decreased concentration of the quantitative marker, presence of a binary marker, or both may be indicative of a fuel that is altered (e.g., mixed, laundered, diluted, or adulterated). Testing a fuel includes testing the fuel for a presence of a first marker in the fuel in a predetermined concentration range, and testing the fuel for a presence of a second marker. The presence of the first marker in the predetermined concentration range and an absence of the second marker may be indicative that the fuel is unaltered. The presence of the first marker in the fuel in a concentration less than the predetermined concentration range or the presence of the second marker may be indicative that the fuel is altered.

Abstract: A method of determining authenticity of an ingestible product purportedly from a batch of saccharide-marked ingestible product is provided. The ingestible product is a food, beverage, or pharmaceutical, for example. The method includes identifying a sample of the ingestible product to be tested; and testing the sample for a marked presence of the saccharide using a saccharide-specific binding protein. The ingestible product is not authentic when the testing demonstrates an unexpected change in the marked presence of the saccharide, and the ingestible product is authentic when the testing demonstrates no unexpected change in the marked presence of the saccharide.

Abstract: A device detects multi-spectral imaging by using line scan elements. The device may include an illumination module and a detection module to detect light scattered from an object illuminated by the illumination module. The device may also include an array of light sources to produce light at a plurality of different wavelengths, and create a uniform line of illumination with each of the different wavelengths. The light detection may be applied to authenticate and validate documents, such as bank notes moving along a document conveyer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for the identification or authentication of liquid products by the addition of an anti-Stokes marker. The invention features an apparatus and method for the identification of a liquid, dynamic or static, that includes adding an anti-Stokes luminescent marker compound to the liquid followed by exposing the compound to a light source of a known wavelength or known wavelengths and then detecting one or more shorter wavelength emissions from the marker, where the identity of the liquid is confirmed by the emission wavelength or wavelengths that are detected and quantified. The irradiating source of light includes, but is not limited to, a laser and other conventional light sources.

Abstract: Marking a petroleum product includes adding a covert dye selected from the group consisting of azadipyrromethene dyes, dipyrromethene dyes, and any combination thereof to the petroleum product and distributing the dye in the petroleum product. A petroleum product selected for analysis may be spectroscopically analyzed for the presence of an azadipyrromethene dye, a dipyrromethene dye, or a combination thereof. A concentration of at least one azadipyrromethene or dipyrromethene dye present in the portion of the petroleum product may be determined to identify the petroleum product as counterfeit, adulterated, or authentic based on the determined concentration of the azadipyrromethene or dipyrromethene dye.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a composition, an apparatus, and a method for authenticating a product. In particular, the invention relates to an ink composition for marking a product with a continuous inkjet printer. The composition includes a visible ink and a UV, visible, and/or IR marker. Marking includes depositing the ink composition on the product with the continuous inkjet printer. A marked product is authenticated with a hand-held apparatus that activates the marker in the mark with UV radiation. Activation of the marker in the mark changes the absorbance/reflectance of visible radiation by the mark without changing the visual appearance of the mark. Authenticity of the product is assessed by a change in absorbance or reflectance of visible radiation by the mark after activation of the mark.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for direct detection of one or more markers in pressurized hydrocarbon fluids. The apparatus includes a vessel (130) and one or more valves (150, 160, 170). The hydrocarbon fluid (240) may be a liquid or gas. Markers may include a variety of optical markers, such as fluorescent markers. The apparatus may be coupled to a hydrocarbon fluid source (210), and the vessel (130) may be at least partially filled with hydrocarbon fluid from the hydrocarbon fluid source (210). A> detector (140) coupled to the vessel (130) may be used to detect at least one of the markers in the hydrocarbon fluid (240) while the apparatus is coupled to the hydrocarbon fluid source (210) and without the addition of reagents. Detection of markers may include, for example, fluorescence detection.

Abstract: Tagged products (including tagged petroleum products) and methods of detecting the same are disclosed. The tagged petroleum products are tagged with a violanthrone, e.g., a substituted violanthrone and/or an isoviolanthrone, e.g., a substituted isoviolanthrone.