Developing High-Throughput Tagging and Detection Systems for Authenticating the Provenance of High-Value Goods

Counterfeit goods represent a growing global crisis now exceeding USD $500 billion annually, accounting for 3.3% of world trade. From aerospace and automotive components to pharmaceuticals, electronics, and luxury goods, counterfeit infiltration threatens safety, erodes consumer trust, and undermines foreign affairs and trade.

To address this challenge, UNSW and new spinout Aurora Materials Pty Ltd have developed a next-generation light-based fingerprinting technology. These tuneable fluorescent nanocomposites, applied as ultra-thin coatings or inks, or embedded directly in substrate, emit unique and near-impossible-to-replicate optical signatures. This enables each formulation  to act as a secure identifier for authenticating provenance, enabling rapid, reliable verification across critical supply chains.

Although the initial laboratory based research has been completed, with various demonstrations and use-cases identified, the next step is scaling and commercialising this unique capability by creating automated synthesis pipelines, improved, high-quality coating techniques, and real-time detection systems, to rapidly identify and authenticate luxury goods, and critical infrastructure.

Project Description:
The successful candidate will contribute directly to the development of high-throughput synthesis, tagging, coating, and detection systems applicable towards real-world authentication settings.
Working closely with the School of Chemistry, Australian National Fabrication Facility and Aurora Materials engineering and commercialisation teams, the prospective candidate will:
1. Develop advanced fluorescent tagging materials:
- Optimise synthetic routes for tunable fluorescent nanocomposites with improved optical properties.
- Conduct materials characterisation using a series of complementary techniques (e.g: PXRD, SEM-EDS, DLS, Solid state NMR and Fluorescence techniques).
- Evaluate taggant robustness against solvents, heat, abrasion and environmental exposure.
2. Build high quality coating and tagging processes:
- Work with the Australian National Fabrication facility nodes to develop precision deposition techniques (CVD, PVD etc).
- Prototype nanocomposite coatings suitable for metals, plastics, ceramics and textiles.
-  Contribute towards the development of inkjet-compatible dispersions.
3. Contribute to pilot-scale production systems:
- Assist in commissioning semi-automated synthesis capability using robotic reagent handling and dispensing systems.
- Validate reproducibility, scalability and QA/QC metrics, in consultation with industry stakeholders.
4. Prototype real-time detection and authentication devices:
- Characterise optical fingerprints using fluorescence spectroscopy and advanced imaging techniques.
- Integrate tagging capabilities with handheld / benchtop detection equipment.
- Explore encoding / decoding strategies to prevent unauthorised access.

Outcomes and Benefits:
+ Help address a billion dollar counterffiet market
+ Establish new standards for authentication and traceability
+ Support soverign manufacturing capability in Australia

Industry Engagement:
The candidate will work alongside Aurora Materials Pty Ltd, a UNSW based spinout backed by UNSW Founders and Defence Trailblazer, along with several industry partners in:
Luxury watchmaking
Advanced Manufacturing
Electronics
Supply chain security and logistics

Professional Development:
Hands-on access to world class fabrication and characterisation facilities at UNSW and ANFF.
Experience in translation research.
Exposure to IP strategy, commercialisation pathways and partner engagement.
Mentorship from both academic and entrepreneurial leaders.

Career Pathways:
Graduates will gain high-demand skills including
+ Advanced materials and nanotechnology
+ National security sciences
+ Product development and rapid prototyping
+ Programming and automation.
+ Deep tech commercialisation and scale-up engineering.

Eligibility

Domestic  Masters  candidates.

How to apply 

Please email Professor John Stride j.stride@unsw.edu.au or Dr Jason Holland j.holland@auroramaterials.com.au a brief cover letter outlining your motivation to join the project, your CV and relevant academic transcripts, plus any relevant research or industry experience / portfolios or project outcomes.

Further information on how to apply can be found here HDR Application Process