Nano watermarks sort the fakes from the originals
New nanotechnology aims to put a dent in the $745 billion counterfeit goods market Researchers at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have developed a technique for embedding nanoscale photonic crystals into the glass face of a watch so that when it is exposed to UV light, the design made by the crystals becomes visible.
Key takeaways
- The team at Nanoga, a new startup that has been spun off to market this research, believes that this technology can be used to offer luxury watch makers an anti-counterfeiting method that is quick and easy to adopt.
- In the video below, Hefyene describes the technology, and and images indicating how watches are watermarked are shown.
- In a machine that is typically used for fabricating LEDs, a very thin layer of photonic crystals, which converts the UV light into colors, is deposited on the glass surface as a vapour.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'Nano watermarks sort the fakes from the originals', 311 Institute, 20 July. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/nano-watermarks-sort-the-fakes-from-the-originals/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
New nanotechnology aims to put a dent in the $745 billion counterfeit goods market
Researchers at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have developed a technique for embedding nanoscale photonic crystals into the glass face of a watch so that when it is exposed to UV light, the design made by the crystals becomes visible. The team at Nanoga, a new startup that has been spun off to market this research, believes that this technology can be used to offer luxury watch makers an anti-counterfeiting method that is quick and easy to adopt.
Nanoga's CEO, Nasser Hefyene, approached EPFL over two years ago to see if the lab could produce an anti-counterfeiting technology that didn’t require the use of any high-tech device and wouldn’t detract from the appearance of the watch. “The aim was to combine tried-and-tested technologies in order to design a new security system that cannot be reproduced,” said Hefyene in a press release. In the video below, Hefyene describes the technology, and and images indicating how watches are watermarked are shown.
In a machine that is typically used for fabricating LEDs, a very thin layer of photonic crystals, which converts the UV light into colors, is deposited on the glass surface as a vapour. Then, through lithographic printing, specific parts of the photonic crystal layer are activated so that they react when exposed to UV light. In order for different colours to appear under the UV light, the photonic crystals are given different geometries and are oriented in different directions with respect to the glass.
This work represents the latest development in at least a decade-long history of nanotechnology being used in anti-counterfeiting and brand protection. This blog covered the related efforts of a small startup, called SingularID, years ago; it was purchased by Bilcare Research nearly a decade ago. Bilcare has taken the technology, which is essentially a nanoscale magnetic material that acts as a sort of “fingerprint” for each product, and built a healthy business around it. The entire solution involves a special device to read the nanoparticles and the software that runs it.
The solution developed by EPFL and being commercialised by Nanoga offers a much simpler approach that requires only a UV light. For the moment, the solution looks to be restricted to products that have a glass surface. However, given the amount of luxury watch counterfeiting that occurs, this probably represents a fairly sizeable market that needs protecting.
What this means for your organisation
Counterfeits are a huge market.
Fakes damage revenue and brand trust. Simple, hard to copy marks help buyers spot the real thing. Brand leaders should review how easily their products can be faked.
Simple checks work best.
A UV lamp is enough to reveal the mark, with no special reader. Easy checks encourage use by retailers and buyers. Firms should favour authentication that customers can use.
Design stays intact.
The mark is invisible in normal light, so looks are unaffected. Security need not spoil the product. Product teams should build protection into design from the start.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- How easily could our products be counterfeited?
- Could customers verify our products themselves?
- Can we add hidden security without changing our design?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
New nanotechnology aims to put a dent in the $745 billion counterfeit goods market Researchers at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have developed a technique for embedding nanoscale photonic crystals into the glass face of a watch so that when it is exposed to UV light, the design made by the crystals becomes visible.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 20 July 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). Nano watermarks sort the fakes from the originals. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/nano-watermarks-sort-the-fakes-from-the-originals/
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