Chemical unclonable functions based on operable random DNA pools
Abstract Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) based on unique tokens generated by random manufacturing processes have been proposed as an alternative to mathematical one-way algorithms. However, these tokens are not distributable, which is a disadvantage for decentralized applications. Finding unclo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47187-7 |
| _version_ | 1797219737892028416 |
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| author | Anne M. Luescher Andreas L. Gimpel Wendelin J. Stark Reinhard Heckel Robert N. Grass |
| author_facet | Anne M. Luescher Andreas L. Gimpel Wendelin J. Stark Reinhard Heckel Robert N. Grass |
| author_sort | Anne M. Luescher |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) based on unique tokens generated by random manufacturing processes have been proposed as an alternative to mathematical one-way algorithms. However, these tokens are not distributable, which is a disadvantage for decentralized applications. Finding unclonable, yet distributable functions would help bridge this gap and expand the applications of object-bound cryptography. Here we show that large random DNA pools with a segmented structure of alternating constant and randomly generated portions are able to calculate distinct outputs from millions of inputs in a specific and reproducible manner, in analogy to physical unclonable functions. Our experimental data with pools comprising up to >1010 unique sequences and encompassing >750 comparisons of resulting outputs demonstrate that the proposed chemical unclonable function (CUF) system is robust, distributable, and scalable. Based on this proof of concept, CUF-based anti-counterfeiting systems, non-fungible objects and decentralized multi-user authentication are conceivable. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:38:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-68c789ad3aa4489499efd83459ab09dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:38:24Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-68c789ad3aa4489499efd83459ab09dd2024-04-07T11:23:17ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-04-0115111110.1038/s41467-024-47187-7Chemical unclonable functions based on operable random DNA poolsAnne M. Luescher0Andreas L. Gimpel1Wendelin J. Stark2Reinhard Heckel3Robert N. Grass4Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH ZürichDepartment of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH ZürichDepartment of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH ZürichDepartment of Computer Engineering, Technical University of MunichDepartment of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH ZürichAbstract Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) based on unique tokens generated by random manufacturing processes have been proposed as an alternative to mathematical one-way algorithms. However, these tokens are not distributable, which is a disadvantage for decentralized applications. Finding unclonable, yet distributable functions would help bridge this gap and expand the applications of object-bound cryptography. Here we show that large random DNA pools with a segmented structure of alternating constant and randomly generated portions are able to calculate distinct outputs from millions of inputs in a specific and reproducible manner, in analogy to physical unclonable functions. Our experimental data with pools comprising up to >1010 unique sequences and encompassing >750 comparisons of resulting outputs demonstrate that the proposed chemical unclonable function (CUF) system is robust, distributable, and scalable. Based on this proof of concept, CUF-based anti-counterfeiting systems, non-fungible objects and decentralized multi-user authentication are conceivable.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47187-7 |
| spellingShingle | Anne M. Luescher Andreas L. Gimpel Wendelin J. Stark Reinhard Heckel Robert N. Grass Chemical unclonable functions based on operable random DNA pools Nature Communications |
| title | Chemical unclonable functions based on operable random DNA pools |
| title_full | Chemical unclonable functions based on operable random DNA pools |
| title_fullStr | Chemical unclonable functions based on operable random DNA pools |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chemical unclonable functions based on operable random DNA pools |
| title_short | Chemical unclonable functions based on operable random DNA pools |
| title_sort | chemical unclonable functions based on operable random dna pools |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47187-7 |
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