Next-generation physical security devices exploiting 2D materials
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
James' PhD project will explore the application of hybrid low-dimensional materials as hardware security devices for authentication and anti-counterfeiting. He will investigate whether unpredictable interactions between different systems can be used to produce robust, complex fingerprints, which can be optically read - to verify not only the identity of the reading, but also that it was produced by a low-dimensional system.
The project entails the fabrication and characterisation of devices containing layers of direct-gap 2D materials with quantum dots and other nanoparticles. Techniques such as Langmuir-Blodgett, electrospray and drop-casting will be applied to produce few-layer films of these materials, and combinations of them. The structure of the devices' that are made will be informed by simulations, with an aim to maximise the optical emission intensity, as well as the sensitive to variations in the sample. Following optical measurements, the project will look at the suitability of the application of these devices as novel forms of physically unclonable functions (PUFs).
The use of quantum materials in PUFs is nascent, with the concept having emerged from the group in which James is working. Research to date has focused on simple devices using a single material; the design and use of heterostructures to optimise performance in this project is entirely novel.
The project combines physics and material science to target an important outstanding problem in cyber security. All of these disciplines fall within EPSRC's remit.
The project entails the fabrication and characterisation of devices containing layers of direct-gap 2D materials with quantum dots and other nanoparticles. Techniques such as Langmuir-Blodgett, electrospray and drop-casting will be applied to produce few-layer films of these materials, and combinations of them. The structure of the devices' that are made will be informed by simulations, with an aim to maximise the optical emission intensity, as well as the sensitive to variations in the sample. Following optical measurements, the project will look at the suitability of the application of these devices as novel forms of physically unclonable functions (PUFs).
The use of quantum materials in PUFs is nascent, with the concept having emerged from the group in which James is working. Research to date has focused on simple devices using a single material; the design and use of heterostructures to optimise performance in this project is entirely novel.
The project combines physics and material science to target an important outstanding problem in cyber security. All of these disciplines fall within EPSRC's remit.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509504/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1965910 | Studentship | EP/N509504/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/03/2021 | Matthew Fong |
| Description | We developed techniques to improve the quality of devices fabricated out of 2D materials. Treating the 2D materials before and after fabrication will create better material-material and material-substrate interfaces, and adjust strain. This has the potential to create new sources of variability in the material properties. Techniques to improve mechanical exfoliation, transfers and stacking of 2D materials were optimised to increase yield. These methods make it easier to make higher-quality devices with 2D materials, including deliberately tuning their properties (eg. Inducing strain) Modification of the optical properties of 2D materials were investigated using the addition of gold nanoparticles. These local modifications from the random positioning of the nanoparticles have the potential to improve optical physical unclonable functions as unique objects for security and anti-counterfeiting purposes. |
| Exploitation Route | Fabrication and characterisation techniques were developed, improved and optimised so future PhD students/postdocs can use the same techniques to fabricate higher quality devices. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Security and Diplomacy |
| Description | Quantum Base |
| Organisation | Lancaster University |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Research into optical properties of 2D materials, with the intention to provide useful advances in the development of the physical optical PUF for security purposes, which can be marketed. |
| Collaborator Contribution | A financial contribution, and use of the facilities provided by the company. |
| Impact | Development of techniques used to characterise and fabricated devices from 2D materials. |
| Start Year | 2017 |