Abstract: A method comprises providing a mold comprising a surface with at least one identification region, the at least one identification region comprising at least one identification feature that has a lateral dimension of 100 microns or less; and molding an item from a moldable material using the mold, such that the at least one identification region is transferred to a surface of the item.

Abstract: Stamps and methods of making stamps for applications in anti-counterfeiting and authentication. The stamps are relatively small in size and feature nanoscale and microscale identification regions and features. High throughput manufacturing and high resolution methods are used to make the stamps including electron beam lithography and optical lithography. Anti-fouling coatings can be applied.

Abstract: Improved methods, devices, compositions, and systems are provided for concealing information on articles in commerce, such as pharmaceuticals, to improve detection of counterfeits. Embodiments are provided where Moiré patterns on article surfaces are detectable using a revealing layer only when the surfaces are illuminated at or near particular angles. Embodiments incorporating revealing layers into detection systems, such as microscopes, are also provided. A method comprising: providing at least one pharmaceutical composition which comprises at least one surface which comprises at least one area which is adapted to provide a Moiré base layer; illuminating the area at an angle; imaging the illuminated area with a Moiré revealing layer to generate a Moiré pattern. Such embodiments provide an additional layer of security over previous methods of detecting counterfeit articles.

Abstract: Semi-automated or automated manufacturing of micro- or nanostructured identification features on objects and compositions, and especially pharmaceutical compositions. In particular, a motorized stamping apparatus capable of precise hot embossing with or without closed-loop control of the loading; a modular stamp head for a high-throughput parallel stamping apparatus that comprise an array of compact, error-tolerant, individually temperature-controllable stamping elements; inexpensive stamp holders for said elements, as well as associated methods. The inventive features do not reside in the method of making the stamps.

Abstract: Methods for providing pharmaceutical compositions and objects with identification regions and identification features which are difficult to detect. Microlithography, nanolithography, and stamping methods are used. The identification features can be positive protrusions or negative indentations with respect to the surface. The identification regions can comprise bar codes and holograms. DPN printing or other lithographies such as electron beam lithography, optical lithography, or nanoimprint lithography can be used to prepare stamps, which are then used to prepare the identification features. Redundant patterns can be formed. The invention is useful for counterfeit prevention. An apparatus for stamping the identification features is also described.

Abstract: A method for forming a pharmaceutical container portion comprises providing a pharmaceutical container portion mold comprising a surface with at least one identification region, the at least one identification region comprising at least one identification feature that has a lateral dimension of 100 microns or less; and molding a pharmaceutical container portion from a moldable material using the mold, such that the at least one identification region is transferred to a surface of the pharmaceutical container portion. Applications include anti-counterfeiting.

Abstract: Stamps and methods of making stamps for applications in anti-counterfeiting and authentication. The stamps are relatively small in size and feature nanoscale and microscale identification regions and features. High throughput manufacturing and high resolution methods are used to make the stamps including electron beam lithography and optical lithography. Anti-fouling coatings can be applied.

Abstract: Stamps and methods of making stamps for applications in anti-counterfeiting and authentication. The stamps are relatively small in size and feature nanoscale and microscale identification regions and features. High throughput manufacturing and high resolution methods are used to make the stamps including electron beam lithography and optical lithography. Anti-fouling coatings can be applied.

Abstract: Improved methods, devices, compositions, and systems are provided for concealing information on articles in commerce, such as pharmaceuticals, to improve detection of counterfeits. Embodiments are provided where Moiré patterns on article surfaces are detectable using a revealing layer only when the surfaces are illuminated at or near particular angles. Embodiments incorporating revealing layers into detection systems, such as microscopes, are also provided. A method comprising: providing at least one pharmaceutical composition which comprises at least one surface which comprises at least one area which is adapted to provide a Moiré base layer; illuminating the area at an angle; imaging the illuminated area with a Moiré revealing layer to generate a Moiré pattern. Such embodiments provide an additional layer of security over previous methods of detecting counterfeit articles.

Abstract: The various embodiments provide methods and apparatus high-throughput reading and decoding of information-encoding features (especially identification features) on pharmaceutical compositions for the purpose of e.g. counterfeiting detection and inventory tracking/tracing. A preferred embodiment provides high-throughput imaging of regular arrays of pharmaceutical tablets with a scanning electron microscope. Another preferred embodiment provides video-rate scanning probe imaging of pharmaceutical compositions and especially atomic force microscopy imaging thereof.

Abstract: Methods for providing pharmaceutical compositions and objects with identification regions and identification features which are difficult to detect. Microlithography, nanolithography, and stamping methods are used. The identification features can be positive protrusions or negative indentations with respect to the surface. The identification regions can comprise bar codes and holograms. DPN printing or other lithographies such as electron beam lithography, optical lithography, or nanoimprint lithography can be used to prepare stamps, which are then used to prepare the identification features. Redundant patterns can be formed. The invention is useful for counterfeit prevention. An apparatus for stamping the identification features is also described.

Abstract: Semi-automated or automated manufacturing of micro- or nanostructured identification features on objects and compositions, and especially pharmaceutical compositions. In particular, a motorized stamping apparatus capable of precise hot embossing with or without closed-loop control of the loading; a modular stamp head for a high-throughput parallel stamping apparatus that comprise an array of compact, error-tolerant, individually temperature-controllable stamping elements; inexpensive stamp holders for said elements, as well as associated methods. The inventive features do not reside in the method of making the stamps.

Abstract: Overt anti-counterfeiting features on objects and compositions, especially pharmaceutical compositions. In a preferred embodiment, a counterfeiting-proof overt feature that presents a visually distinctive optical variable or invariable effect is manufactured on a pharmaceutical composition using a purely physical process. Further preferred are counterfeiting-proof, overt features that comprise at least one engineered array of micro- or nanostructures. Also provided are methods and apparatus for the manufacturing of said overt features on said objects and compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, and for verifying the authenticity of said features. The inventive features do not reside in the method of making the stamp or the instrument used for stamping.

Abstract: Methods for providing pharmaceutical compositions and objects with identification regions and identification features which are difficult to detect. Microlithography, nanolithography, and stamping methods are used. The identification features can be positive protrusions or negative indentations with respect to the surface. The identification regions can comprise bar codes and holograms. DPN printing or other lithographies such as electron beam lithography, optical lithography, or nanoimprint lithography can be used to prepare stamps, which are then used to prepare the identification features. Redundant patterns can be formed. The invention is useful for counterfeit prevention. An apparatus for stamping the identification features is also described.

Abstract: Stamps and methods of making stamps for applications in anti-counterfeiting and authentication. The stamps are relatively small in size and feature nanoscale and microscale identification regions and features. High throughput manufacturing and high resolution methods are used to make the stamps including electron beam lithography and optical lithography. Anti-fouling coatings can be applied.

Abstract: To improve anticounterfeiting protection, a method for imprinting pharmaceutical unit compositions comprising: providing a pharmaceutical unit composition, partially coating the exterior of the composition with a coating, stamping the coating with a stamp comprising a plurality of identification features, wherein identification features from the stamp are at least partially transposed in the coating and form a barcode, wherein the plurality of identification features comprise at least one lateral dimension of about 1,000 nm or less. Other objects can be coated and stamped including currency and luxury goods.

Abstract: Frequency translation of microelectromechanical vibration signals such as a tip vibration signal in a scanning force microscopy system expands the versatility of existing control systems and enables new signal processing techniques. The vibration signal such as the cantilever probe tip vibration signal of a scanning force microscopy is frequency converted to a lower or higher frequency signal that is utilized to provide a control signal.

Abstract: Frequency translation of microelectromechanical vibration signals such as a tip vibration signal in a scanning force microscopy system expands the versatility of existing control systems and enables new signal processing techniques. The vibration signal such as the cantilever probe tip vibration signal of a scanning force microscopy is frequency converted to a lower or higher frequency signal that is utilized to provide a control signal.