Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for authenticating a physical item comprising an upconverting phosphor (UCP) layer that emits visible light upon near-infrared excitation, and a covert marking representing an encrypted code derived from UCP emission points. The system includes a mobile device with a near-infrared VCSEL, optical sensor, and processing units. The processing units cause the VCSEL to excite the UCP layer, creating a lightmap, capture images of the covert marking and lightmap, digitize emission point counts within defined sectors to form numerical sequence S?, read and decrypt the encrypted code using a rotor-based algorithm to produce decrypted sequence D, and compare S? to D to determine authenticity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for measuring analytes (e.g., greenhouse gases) in the air over a field in an agricultural setting. The existing equipment of a center pivot and an attached arm can be used by adding reflectors and/or point sensors on the arm and an analyzer unit on the center pivot. The analyte concentration in the air can be detected down to a sensitivity of 1 part per billion or less.

Abstract: Products, such as a watch, an item of jewelry, a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses, or the like, may be configured to be authenticated and/or tracked by way of producing a light emission having one or more predetermined characteristics. More particularly, a product may comprise a metal component, at least a portion of which contains wave-shifting marker crystals configured to emit light having one or more characteristics by which the product may be identified. Also described are packages, such as for cosmetics or fragrances, containing wave-shifting crystals that, when excited, emit light having one or more characteristics by which information about the package, such as a unique package identifier, may be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel composition of matter that provides highly efficient energy conversion from NIR to NIR wavelengths, with either up-, down-, or both up- and down-converting transitions. Disclosed is a composition having the molecular formula NaYF4:YbxTmyNdz, where 0?x?0.98, 0?y?0.02, and 0?z?0.06. Also disclosed is a core-shell structure, wherein the core is a composition having the molecular formula NaYF4:YbxTmyNdz, where 0?x?0.98, 0?y?0.02, and 0?z?0.06, and the shell is composition having the molecular formula NaYF4:Ndw, where 0?w?0.1.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to pharmaceutical packages, such as syringes, vials, etc., containing wave-shifting crystals that, when excited, emit light having one or more characteristics by which information about the package, such as a unique package identifier, may be obtained. The wave-shifting crystals may be rare earth doped crystals. In some embodiments, the wave-shifting crystals may be incorporated into or onto a wall of a vessel, e.g. a syringe barrel or vial, in a way that maintains transparency of the vessel wall. In other embodiments, the wave-shifting crystals may be incorporated into or onto a portion of the package that need not be transparent, such as a needle shield, tip cap, or vial closure. The wave-shifting crystals may be used to track and/or authenticate a pharmaceutical package.

Abstract: Physical authentication devices and systems using such devices may be provided. A device may include a first substrate having first and second surfaces, and an NFC circuit coupled to the first substrate. The NFC circuit may be configured to transmit first information. The device may include a transparent second substrate coupled to the first surface. The device may include a plurality of rare earth phosphors positioned in or on the substrate, such as within the transparent second substrate or between the first substrate and the transparent second substrate. Each rare earth phosphor may be configured to emit at least one wavelength of light when irradiated with an irradiating wavelength of light, the irradiating wavelength being different from the at least one wavelength of light. In some embodiments, a magnet may be coupled to the second surface. In some embodiments, the transparent second substrate may be adhered to the first substrate.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods and assays for multiplexed detection of analytes using nanocrystals that are uniform in morphology, size, and composition based on their unique optical characteristics. The described methods and assays are particularly useful for detection of microbes and/or microbe-based agents in a complex environmental sample.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods and assays for multiplexed detection of analytes using nanocrystals that are uniform in morphology, size, and composition based on their unique optical characteristics. The described methods and assays are particularly useful for detection of microbes and/or microbe-based agents in a complex environmental sample.

Abstract: A method for communicating between a surface containing a rare-earth oxide phosphor, which emits a second wavelength photon when excited by a first wavelength photon, and an article mounted on a device, wherein the method includes exciting the phosphor with a source that emits a first wavelength photon to produce a second wavelength photon response in the surface; and detecting the second wavelength photon with a means in communication with the article, wherein the article is capable of emitting a signal based upon receipt of the second wavelength photon.

Abstract: A method for inducing a visible light response in a material comprising combining an up-conversion phosphor, which emits visible light wavelengths when stimulated by non-coherent infrared wavelengths, with the material and activating the phosphor with a source that emits non-coherent infrared wavelengths to produce a visible-light response in the material.