Secure banknotes worldwide

Our exclusive partnership with SICPA enables a new level of protection for banknotes

Unforgeable money is the foundation of any stable economy, and all governments take great care to prevent counterfeiting using different means. Rayform’s Caustics technology, with its very high precision requirement and ease of use, has attracted significant attention for applications in the field of anti-counterfeiting since the startup’s foundation.

After six years of research and development, the EPFL spinoff Rayform and SICPA SA, a world leader in banknote security, sealed this long-term partnership with an exclusive deal. Together, they have developed a new banknote security feature – a seemingly simple transparent window on the note that conceals a surprising message revealed only when illuminated (e.g. with a mobile-phone flashlight). When light passes through this clear area, it converges on the underlying surface, magically forming a vivid and detailed image.

This remarkable effect is made possible by Rayform's modeling technology, based on sophisticated algorithms that compute unique 3D structures, capable of focusing light to project any desired image. This intricate structure can be produced on a large scale, using cutting-edge ultra-precision printing processes. However, it can’t be counterfeit without access to the original digital file and the knowledge of the proprietary process.

With the technical feasibility validated, and the intellectual property safeguarded by multiple patents, both companies are now actively engaged in the industrialization and commercial development phase, aiming to seamlessly integrate this innovative security feature into nations’ currencies.