Indian Scientists makes Ink to Thwart Counterfeiting. What new material is used in the development of the security ink?

The Correct Answer is ​Strontium bismuth fluoride (Sr₂BiF₇).

In News

• Indian Scientists makes Ink to Thwart Counterfeiting. 

Key Points

• Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre developed a new security ink using strontium bismuth fluoride (Sr₂BiF₇) nanoparticles.
• Counterfeiting is a crime involving the theft of someone’s trademark, harming businesses, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals and branded consumer goods.
• Counterfeiting in pharmaceuticals can result in fake medicines that delay treatment or even prove fatal, making security printing crucial in packaging.
• Security Printing Features include:
  • Optically Variable Ink: Changes color when viewed from different angles.
  • Watermarks: Embedded designs for authenticity.
  • Holograms: Three-dimensional images for added security.
• The new security ink is unique because it fluoresces in both the ultraviolet and near-infrared parts of the spectrum, unlike existing fluorescent inks which are visible only under ultraviolet or infrared light.