IISc Bengaluru develops new organic material to transform security labels, displays

Bengaluru: A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has developed a new glow-in-the-dark material that could change how we protect products from counterfeiting, improve medical imaging, and even upgrade display technology.

This material is special because it glows brightly at room temperature without using toxic or heavy metals. Most long-lasting glow materials either contain harmful substances or are too expensive. But the molecule developed at IISc is made entirely from lightweight, organic chemicals, and is safer for both people and the environment.

The key feature of this molecule is its ability to emit a rare type of light called circularly polarised luminescence (CPL), which is useful in secure technologies like encrypted labels and advanced 3D displays. In addition, it exhibits long-lasting phosphorescence — meaning it glows even after the light source is turned off.

To demonstrate its potential, the team from the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry (IPC), IISc, created an ink using the molecule. Under UV light, it displays a message — like the number "1180" — but once the light is turned off, a different message, such as “IISc”, appears in the dark. This hidden feature makes it ideal for anti-counterfeiting applications, such as printing security tags or concealed messages on products, documents, or currency.

Creating this molecule was no small feat. It required building a special bond between boron and nitrogen atoms — a process that had to be carried out at -78°C in an oxygen-controlled environment. The scientists also made the molecule rigid and stable, which is essential for helping it glow brightly without fading quickly.

The team now hopes to enhance the glow further so the material can be used in medical imaging or wearable devices.

The research was published in Communications Chemistry and involved international collaboration; the team worked with researchers at the University of Trieste, Italy, to access synchrotron facilities for crystal structure confirmation.