Binary Multi-Taggant System for Unique Target ID

To enable warfighters the ability to track entities buried in urban clutter, a series of environmentally-friendly, covert microtaggants composed of nanocrystals functionalized with luminophores with well-defined visible (VIS), near-infrared (NIR) and/or shortwavelength-infrared (SWIR) emission spectra will be further developed. The microtaggant’s quantum-confined nanocrystals are sensitive to one or more specific ultraviolet solar blind (UVSB) laser wavelengths, and each stimulating source can cause various sized nanocrystals to luminesce at one or more semi-overt or covert wavelengths detectable by night vision goggle, surveillance cameras, or SWIR cameras, permitting tiered security with a large number of unique identifiers. High conversion efficiency allows for significant standoff distances, and since the mechanisms of both excitation and emission are restricted to the UVSB and NIR/SWIR bands, there is a high level of security intrinsic to the taggant design. The main keys to the successful deployment of this system were demonstrated in Phase I. Well-defined stimulation and spectral emission features were documented, and taggant solutions, capable of long-term stability, even in water, were characterized. In Phase II, this work will be further developed. The full spectrum of taggants will be developed, demonstrated with the delivery system, environmentally tested, and their detection range verified in field tests.