Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of reading and verifying a tag based on inherent disorder during a manufacturing process. The method includes using a first reader to take a first reading of an inherent disorder feature of the tag, and using a second reader to take a second reading of the inherent disorder feature of the tag. The method further includes matching the first reading with the second reading, and determining one or more acceptance criteria, wherein at least one of the acceptance criteria is based on whether the first reading and the second reading match within a predetermined threshold. If the acceptance criteria are met, then the tag is accepted, and a fingerprint for the tag is recorded. The invention further provides a method of testing and characterizing a reader of inherent disorder tags during a manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus for forming and reading an identification feature on or in an object. The apparatus comprises a formation unit for physically forming an identification feature on or in an object, at least one reading unit adapted to read the identification feature to form a signature, and a housing, wherein the formation unit and the at least one reading unit are both contained in the housing. The at least one reading unit can comprise at least two reading elements. The identification feature can comprise an identification feature based on inherent disorder. The invention also refers to a method of forming and reading an identification feature on or in an object.

Abstract: An encapsulated device comprising an integrated gas permeation sensor is provided, comprising a base substrate with an electronic component arranged thereon being enclosed within an encapsulation for protecting the electronic component from moisture and/or oxygen; at least one sensor is arranged within the encapsulation to measure the permeation of gas into the encapsulation; each sensor comprises an electrically conductive sensing element comprising a moisture and/or oxygen sensitive material, wherein the reaction of said material with moisture and/or oxygen results in a change in the electrical resistance/conductivity of the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reading device for identifying a tag or an object adapted to be identified, said reading device including a first reading element for reading a first set of identification features located in the tag or the object adapted to be identified. The first reading element is a magneto-optical reading element; wherein the first reading element is adapted to conform to the tag or object adapted to be identified when brought into contact with the tag or object adapted to be identified.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus for forming and reading an identification feature on or in an object. The apparatus comprises a formation unit for physically forming an identification feature on or in an object, at least one reading unit adapted to read the identification feature to form a signature, and a housing, wherein the formation unit and the at least one reading unit are both contained in the housing. The at least one reading unit can comprise at least two reading elements. The identification feature can comprise an identification feature based on inherent disorder. The invention also refers to a method of forming and reading an identification feature on or in an object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of reading and verifying a tag based on inherent disorder during a manufacturing process. The method includes using a first reader to take a first reading of an inherent disorder feature of the tag, and using a second reader to take a second reading of the inherent disorder feature of the tag. The method further includes matching the first reading with the second reading, and determining one or more acceptance criteria, wherein at least one of the acceptance criteria is based on whether the first reading and the second reading match within a predetermined threshold. If the acceptance criteria are met, then the tag is accepted, and a fingerprint for the tag is recorded. The invention further provides a method of testing and characterizing a reader of inherent disorder tags during a manufacturing process.

Abstract: A reading device for identifying a tag or an object adapted to be identified is disclosed. The reading device includes a first reading element for reading a first set of identification features located in the tag or the object adapted to be identified, wherein the first reading element is a magneto-optical reading element; and a second reading element for reading a second set of identification features located in the tag or the object adapted to be identified; wherein the reading device is configured such that a first signal generated from reading the first set of identification features and a second signal generated from reading the second set of identification features are independently used to derive a first signature and a second signature for identifying the tag or object.

Abstract: A reading device for identifying a tag or an object adapted to be identified is disclosed. The reading device includes a reading element for reading a first set of identification features located in the tag or the object adapted to be identified, wherein the reading element is a magneto-optical reading element. The reading element also reads a second set of identification features located in the tag or the object adapted to be identified; wherein the reading device is configured such that a first signal generated from reading the first set of identification features and a second signal generated from reading the second set of identification features are independently used to derive a first signature and a second signature for identifying the tag or object.

Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an object (200) such as a credit card, bank note, document, label, etc which carries an identification layer (103) which contains readable information. The identification layer can include randomly distributed conductive/magnetizable particles (303), semiconductive particle, optically active particles and the like. The identification layer is sandwiched between an upper layer (105) and lower layer (104) to form the object. At least some of the particles are exposed along one edge (102) of the object and can be read by a read head (201) which moves along the edge.

Abstract: A method of identifying an object having identification information, said identification information being used to verify the object's identity, said method comprising: determining at least one characteristic of a magnetic field of at least a portion of a tag, thereby obtaining a first specific magnetic signal, wherein the tag comprises a substantially non-magnetic host material having pores, wherein at least some of the pores contain a magnetic material, and storing signal information relating to said first specific magnetic signal, said stored signal information forming the identification information of the object.

Abstract: A reading device for identifying a tag or an object adapted to be identified is disclosed. The reading device includes a first reading element for reading a first set of identification features located in the tag or the object adapted to be identified, wherein the first reading element is a magneto-optical reading element; and a second reading element for reading a second set of identification features located in the tag or the object adapted to be identified; wherein the reading device is configured such that a first signal generated from reading the first set of identification features and a second signal generated from reading the second set of identification features are independently used to derive a first signature and a second signature for identifying the tag or object.

Abstract: An encapsulated device comprising an integrated gas permeation sensor is provided, comprising a base substrate with an electronic component arranged thereon being enclosed within an encapsulation for protecting the electronic component from moisture and/or oxygen; at least one sensor is arranged within the encapsulation to measure the permeation of gas into the encapsulation; each sensor comprises an electrically conductive sensing element comprising a moisture and/or oxygen sensitive material, wherein the reaction of said material with moisture and/or oxygen results in a change in the electrical resistance/conductivity of the sensor.

Abstract: An identification tag for identifying an object to which the identification tag may be attached or in which the tag may be embedded, as well as to objects that are adapted to be identified. The invention also relates to reading devices for reading identification features that are located in an identification tag. The tags and objects may consist of an engagement track or accommodating recess wherein the engagement track or accommodating recess is designed such that it allows reading of identification features comprised in the tag or object and wherein the engagement track or accommodating recess is designed such that it is essentially complementary in shape to an engagement element of a reading device, wherein the engagement element comprises a reading element adapted for reading the identification features located in the identification tag or object. The identification tag may also comprise an accommodating layer which comprises an accommodating recess.

Abstract: A method of verifying the identity of an object (322) which has at least two sets of identification information (321 and 327) which are each arranged on or incorporated within a different surface of the object and are at a fixed relative spatial position to each other. In order to identify an object, a reading device (324) obtains a first (325) and a second signal (326) from the first and second sets of identification information of the object respectively, determines the relative spatial position between the two sets of information, and determines the signature of the object.

Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an object (200) such as a credit card, bank note, document, label, etc which carries an identification layer (103) which contains readable information. The identification layer can include randomly distributed conductive/magnetisable particles (303), semiconductive particle, optically active particles and the like. The identification layer is sandwiched between an upper layer (105) and lower layer (104) to form the object. At least some of the particles are exposed along one edge (102) of the object and can be read by a read head (201) which moves along the edge.

Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.

Abstract: A radiation detector has an electron emitter that includes a coated nanostructure on a support. The nanostructure can include a plurality of nanoneedles. A nanoneedle is a shaft tapering from a base portion toward a tip portion. The tip portion has a diameter between about 1 nm to about 50 nm and the base portion has a diameter between about 20 nm to about 300 nm. Each shaft has a length between about 100 nm to about 3,000 nm and an aspect ratio larger than 10. A coating covers at least the tip portions of the shafts. The coating exhibits negative electron affinity and is capable of emitting secondary electrons upon being irradiated by radiation. The nanostructure can also include carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated with a material selected from the group of aluminum nitride (AlN), gallium nitride (GaN), and zinc oxide (ZnO).

Abstract: Graphite comprises atoms arranged in discrete layers (100). The perpendicular distance between these layers is the ‘d-spacing’ (101). A field emission material is obtained by expanding the d-spacing (102). Such expansion may be achieved by an intercalant that has been introduced between layers of the material. Such an intercalant may reside, or may no longer reside, in the material. The material may be placed in position on a substrate by a printing process, prior to expansion. Such field emission material may be used in cold cathodes in field electron emission devices.