Nanochip anti-counterfeiting program helps the defence industry

UAlbany NanoCollege & Applied DNA Sciences Partner on Nanochip Anti-Counterfeiting Program

The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany and Long Island-based Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB:APDN) announced a partnership to enable nanotechnology-driven innovations that would play a critical role in preventing the counterfeiting of computer chips – a collaboration in the groundbreaking area of “nanosecurity” that initially targets the $20 billion defense industry chip market and has the potential to impact nanoelectronics and aerospace markets well in excess of $300 billion. 

Research and developmen will include the integration of new methods for DNA deposition on nanoelectronics wafers and computer chips both prior to, and including, final packaging to ensure the integrity and security of processed wafers.

The partnership between CNSE and APDN will support research, development and deployment of authentication protocols and procedures in established process flows, including CMOS, MEMS, photonics, and other device derivatives, as well as advanced packaging technologies, such as 3-dimensional wafer-to-wafer and die-on-wafer. When realized, these advances would enable comprehensive supply chain protection well into the foreseeable future.

The collaboration comes on the heels of the enacting of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. This law will significantly strengthen protections against the wave of counterfeit electronic parts coming into the defense supply system by requiring that military suppliers and government agencies create and implement counterfeit detection and avoidance systems, among many other strict anti-counterfeiting provisions. These new mandates could be enabled through a CNSE-APDN partnership.

The APDN system marks computer chips with uncopyable DNA codes, which can then be used to authenticate the originality of chips anywhere along the supply chain. The APDN technology can not only enhance inspection, but also goes much further to forensically verify originality, using botanical DNA to create “tags” to mark the product in a unique way.

As part of the collaboration, CNSE and APDN intend to establish a joint technology development partnership model – engaging nanoelectronics device fabricators, leading aerospace and defense system integration companies, and state and federal government agencies – to further advance the implementation of counterfeit protection measures. CNSE recently submitted a technology development proposal in partnership with APDN and other leading nanoelectronics companies in response to a Broad Agency Announcement issued by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), which invests in technology programs that have the potential to provide our nation with an overwhelming intelligence advantage over future adversaries.

Fonte: NanoMagazine