2023 – Winner

Who was the hologram for?

QUANTUM™ stripe ‘inspired by nature’ is a nano-optic OVD developed to enable new dimensions of security and storytelling in the authentication industry. Meta Materials launched QUANTUM™ as the world’s first fully animated nano-optic banknote security product. This revolutionary new product is based on META’s award-winning KolourOptik® technology. The origination was first showcased at the Currency Conference, held May 15-18, 2023, in Mexico City.

What was it for and how did it work?

Following the mission of the IHMA – to advance the understanding, use, and development of holograms and holographic technology, the ‘Inspired by Nature’ note demonstrates the first production-ready, fully plasmonic, fully animated nano-optic security product. It ushers in a new era of security, as it is the only “all-in-one” feature that delivers four elements in a single OVD (3D depth, animated movement, multi-color, always visible.) META’s QUANTUM™ nano-optic security features are at the forefront of innovation for the authentication industry.

The feature’s signature effects include:
GLIDE – Images at multiples layers of depth that move in opposite directions.
REVEAL – Shapes that move in opposite directions to reveal and conceal an image.
DRIFT – Simple patterns that move in a single direction.
MESH – Multi-layered patterns that move in all directions.

The nature scene provides an interesting 3D world to explore – as you glance at the ‘inspired by nature’ note, it triggers the following unique authentication effects:
HIVE – Keyhole mesh effect, offering a 3D view of the synergy of the hive.
BEE/FLOWERS/GRASS – Glide effect applied to flowers and hovering bee with 3D see-through, fluttering wings.
COUNTER – “30” Counter with 3D, animated effect. Hexagons exhibit fast movement with glide effect.

This project demonstrated new visual effects such as the animated, translucent wings that pass over top of one another as the user interacts with the banknote. These unique combination of authentication effects are extremely difficult to replicate thus stumping counterfeiting attempts and protecting the public. We offer the technology of tomorrow, today!

This customizable solution unlocks new design possibilities – building a world with your story: full integration, intuitive, secure and visually aesthetic. Clear, easily understood scenes are recognized within micro-seconds, reinforced with layers of detail, interactive animations, and hidden elements.

What is significant about this hologram project?

• Compatible with all substrates: paper, polymer, and hybrid banknotes. Open to working with members of the IHMA to offer this next-gen product across various applications.

• Compatible with existing application equipment: This does not need investment or additional machinery. It is compatible with existing production print processes, including litho, intaglio, screen, numbering, varnishing and single note examination.

• Lower cost to manufacture than competing high-end OVDs such as micro-optics and optical thin-film micro-mirrors.

• Greener & simplified manufacturing processes require less processing and less materials than alternative security features. Secure manufacturing facility supplied by clean, 100% renewable, hydro-electric power, ensuring sustainability and environmental responsibility.

• Optimized: Less than 10 μm applied thickness, meets all industry standard durability testing, with exceptional results. Optimized for minimal sheet distortion for onward manufacturing process.

This project represents a significant milestone in the authentication industry, offering a unique combination of visual cues that are easy to authenticate but extremely challenging to replicate.

Design excellence, creativity, and next-generation technology demonstrated by this note reinforces holography’s continued success and development as one of the most effective, reliable, and adaptable authentication and security feature solutions. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to raise the bar in the fight against counterfeiting, enabling governments, central banks and issuing authorities to enhance security while delivering an engaging and intuitive validation experience. Complete customization of unique visual effects allows META to bring a full-color, animated scene to life. META completed the production qualification of QUANTUM™ stripe, demonstrating its industrial application and exceptional durability. The company has conducted industry standard tests including chemical resistance, crumpling, and abrasion performance tests, independently validated by third party labs, Ugra and UnderCurrency. This should win an award as it redefines what’s possible in anti-counterfeiting and authentication. The combination of nano-scale origination, proprietary algorithms, and specialized manufacturing techniques result in a new standard of counterfeit deterrence.