Message in a molecule

Abstract

Since ancient times, steganography, the art of concealing information, has largely relied on secret inks as a tool for hiding messages. However, as the methods for detecting these inks improved, the use of simple and accessible chemicals as a means to secure communication was practically abolished. Here, we describe a method that enables one to conceal multiple different messages within the emission spectra of a unimolecular fluorescent sensor. Similar to secret inks, this molecular-scale messaging sensor (m-SMS) can be hidden on regular paper and the messages can be encoded or decoded within seconds using common chemicals, including commercial ingredients that can be obtained in grocery stores or pharmacies. Unlike with invisible inks, however, uncovering these messages by an unauthorized user is almost impossible because they are protected by three different defence mechanisms: steganography, cryptography and by entering a password, which are used to hide, encrypt or prevent access to the information, respectively.

On-line Ammonia Sensor and Invisible Security Ink by Fluorescent Zwitterionic Spirocyclic Meisenheimer Complex

“…Highly luminescent materials have become of increasing importance because their emission behavior can be totally changed upon application of certain external stimuli. So these stimuli responsive photoluminescent materials are promising candidates for the application of data recording and data security272829. Different photoluminescent materials have been used as security ink.…”

User Authorization at the Molecular Scale

“…Recently, the Margulies group has shown that by combining principles underlying the operation of molecular keypad locks with molecular cryptography, it is possible to use this technology to protect communication . The idea of using a pattern‐generating molecular sensor to secure communication was inspired by the function of pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs), which operate at the heart of various cryptographic machines.…”

“…Reproduced with permission from Ref. . Copyright 2016 Macmillan Publishers Ltd: Nature Communications.…”

Consolidating Molecular Logic with New Solid‐Bound YES and PASS 1 Gates and Their Combinations

“…Additional evidence of this consolidation can be found in adedicated conference series; [2] ar eal-lifem edical application; [3] an umber of dedicated books and reviews; [4] and sections of other books and reviews; [5] and several dedicated special issues and article collections, such as this one. [6] Other evidence includes the extension of Boolean principles to molecular versions of arithmetic, [7] ID tagging, [8] cryptography, [9] arrayed logic, [10] in situ imaging, [11] conditional photodynamic therapy, [12] intracellular logic, [13] multi-valued logic [8,14] and humanlevel computing. [15] Extending the principlesl earnedw ith molecules in solution to those on solids would be one general avenue of this consolidation scenario.…”