Controlled manufacturing of black and white flower-like dendritic micropattern tags for product unclonable security identification

Anti-counterfeiting tags with physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are critical for ensuring the security of products. In general, PUFs exhibit unique random physical patterns as a result of a stochastic minutiae that generates a large number of robust tags. In the current study, a novel flower-like dendritic micropattern security tag is created in rapid batch production by a simple one-step spray method and a comprehensive examination of the entire security identification system is conducted, from signage to literacy. A silicate condensation reaction was controlled to tune the morphology, resulting in six-class micropatterns with regular geometry. Additionally, the recognition feature of tags was derived directly from the shape contour and distribution characteristics of the pattern. Thus, the micropatterns have both stochastic minutiae and rule-based aspects. The unpredictability of the micropatterns’ size and position distribution contributes to the tags’ high robustness and the structural regularity has potential utility in error correction schemes. The article also discusses the mechanism involved in the formation and evolution of six-class patterns and conducts a systematic analysis of the mathematical foundation of the uniqueness of micropatterns. The experimental statistics indicate that, by appropriately limiting the deviation of the curing parameters and the image capture position, the production and identification of tags remain controllable and stable. Additionally, the tag identification exhibits significant intraclass correlation and interclass uncorrelation, indicating that they meet the requirements for high robustness of anti-counterfeiting tags. These tags have significant potential for application in security management of customized products, high-value goods and forensic purposes.