Scientists at the University of Toronto have created a new way to record and measure fingerprints that will make them impossible to forge. This system relies on photonic crystal chemistry. A photonic crystal can bend light to create a rainbow effect. Unlike gemstone or hard crystals, these new photonic crystals have a malleable surface that changes its refractory index as pressure is applied.
To create the crystal, chemists use a silica latticework. This synthetic lattice is arranged as a series of spheres with a very ordered arrangement. The space in between the spheres is then filled with synthetic rubber. Finally, the silica is dissolved. This leaves a honeycomb-like structure that appears red. However, with the application of pressure, the rubber bends, changing the refracted color from red to blue and every shade in between.
This technology can be used to measure surface variations in far more detail than the traditional ink-blot methods. While this article speculates on its use in forensics, I could see this technology also used in other three-dimensional modeling applications.
Article (w/ video): http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0106-molding_fingerprints.htm
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2 comments:
Very interesting ...one issue I can think of though is in terms of storage ... How long can these prints be kept in it's state before it affects the precision or is it scanned into the computer immediately ?
The changes in the refractory index of the crystal can be digitally monitored by a computer. The computer can translate these changes into an extremely precise 3-d model of the fingerprint, which can be stored in electronic format.
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