Three-Dimensionally Printed, Vertical Full-Color Display Pixels for Multiplexed Anticounterfeiting

Shiqi Hu, Xiao Huan, Jihyuk Yang, Huanqing Cui, Wei Gao, Yu Liu, Siu Fung Yu, Ho Cheung Shum, Ji Tae Kim*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Information encryption strategies have become increasingly essential. Most of the fluorescent security patterns have been made with a lateral configuration of red, green, and blue subpixels, limiting the pixel density and security level. Here we report vertically stacked, luminescent heterojunction micropixels that construct high-resolution, multiplexed anticounterfeiting labels. This is enabled by meniscus-guided three-dimensional (3D) microprinting of red, green, and blue (RGB) dye-doped materials. High-precision vertical stacking of subpixel segments achieves full-color pixels without sacrificing lateral resolution, achieving a small pixel size of ∼μm and a high density of over 13,000 pixels per inch. Furthermore, a full-scale color synthesis for individual pixels is developed by modulating the lengths of the RGB subpixels. Taking advantage of these unique 3D structural designs, trichannel multiplexed anticounterfeiting Quick Response codes are successfully demonstrated. We expect that this work will advance data encryption technology while also providing a versatile manufacturing platform for diverse 3D display devices. © 2023 American Chemical Society.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9953-9962
JournalNano Letters
Volume23
Issue number21
Online published23 Oct 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Nov 2023
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This work was supported by the General Research Fund (17200222, 17208919, 17204020) of the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong; the National Natural Science Foundation of China/Research Grants Council Joint Research Scheme (N_HKU743/22); and the Seed Fund for Basic Research (201910159047, 202111159097) of the University Research Committee (URC), The University of Hong Kong.

Research Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • color synthesis
  • information encryption
  • multisegmented pixels
  • vertical stacking

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