Researchers have demonstrated a method to generate physical unclonable functions by applying an electric field to cholesteric liquid crystals, producing unique physical patterns designed to strengthen digital authentication. The technique converts randomized optical textures into tamper-resistant binary one-time passwords, pairing physical unclonability with encryption protocols to counteract digital fraud.
The study addresses the escalating prevalence of fraud, with counterfeiting across goods and medicine alongside rising cyberattacks resulting in significant financial and data theft. During the last decade, results have been obtained in the anti-counterfeiting field with the realization of both physical and digital solutions.
To evaluate the physical unclonable functions, the research team analyzed each electrically induced cholesteric liquid crystal pattern using an image recognition algorithm to confirm uniqueness before recording the data to construct a secure server.
Following verification, the unique, randomized textures undergo a binarization process that translates the optical characteristics into cryptographic one-time passwords. By deriving digital passwords directly from unpredictable physical textures, the experimental platform integrates material-level physical unclonability with next-generation encryption architectures.
Once generated, each distinct pattern undergoes verification through an automated image recognition algorithm before being registered.
Subject of Research: Physical unclonable functions derived from cholesteric liquid crystals for one-time password generation
Article Title: Physical unclonable functions for one time password generation based on the exploitation of cholesteric liquid crystals
Article References: Bruno, M. D. L., Nicoletta, G., Umeton, C. P., De Santo, M. P., & Ferraro, A. (2026). Physical unclonable functions for one time password generation based on the exploitation of cholesteric liquid crystals. Discover Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-026-01092-6
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1007/s43939-026-01092-6
Keywords: cholesteric liquid crystals, physical unclonable functions, one-time passwords, anti-counterfeiting, cybersecurity, encryption, image recognition, binarization, optical textures, authentication, digital fraud, data protection, hardware security, tamper resistance, electric field
News Source: Scienmag.
