Individualized Reradiating RF Tag with Unique DNA and Integrated Antenna for Enhanced Anti-Counterfeit Markings

This proposal seeks to develop a unique tag that will re-emit an individualized signature when in the presence of a low level RF field to definitively determine the lineage of a marked part. The signature detection apparatus will leverage Nokomis"Advanced Detection of Electronic Counterfeits (ADEC) technology to allow for detection of extremely faint re-radiation. The individualized reradiating RF tags that will be developed under this effort will be made using a combination of customized integrated print-on antennas and unique DNA-encoded electrical components. The sensitivity of the DNA-based RF tags to changes in physical structure will provide at least 10,000 unique markings (the actual number will likely be in the millions). The antennas will compound that level of uniqueness at least a thousand-fold using different combinations of printed elements. In addition, Nokomis will demonstrate marker persistence after physical handling and temperature excursions, marker destruction after surface modification by sanding and blacktop recoat, sandblasting, and mechanical lapping, and detection of inherent electromagnetic signals from part circuitry.