Process for tagging of manufactured articles with up-and down-converting metal oxide nanophosphors and articles produced thereby

摘要

Manufactured articles are rendered identifiable as to their source or genuineness by incorporating one or more populations of up- and/or down-converting metal oxide or mixed metal oxides during or post manufacture. The nanoparticles exhibit emission of light upon irradiation by energy sources which allows comparison between the emission spectrum of an article with the emission expected of a genuine article or a material from a given manufacturing process, i.e. a batch of material.