Bangkok--29 Jul--Asian Institute of Technology
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has a chance to be the first academic institution in Thailand and the ASEAN region to securitize diplomas, degrees and certificates, based on the application of RFID technology and nanotechnology science.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed on 16 July 2015 between AIT and Japanese technology developer KyI Co., Ltd, could also see the Pathumthani-based institute become the regional focal point in the high-tech security reform of national security ID systems, motor vehicle license plates, legal documentation, and consumer products, officials said.
Both scenarios hinge on AIT's successful research and development of KyI Co., Ltd's existing RFID (radio-frequency identification) technologies, to support three new 'Thai Gateway Projects' aimed at Thai and Southeast Asian markets.
AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai inked the deal with KyI Co., Ltd. CEO Mr. Masayuki Kobayashi. The partners aim to provide a modern, secure, and efficient means of documentation communication for government, education, legal and industrial sectors.
Under the new 'RFID Technology Adaptation of Thai Gateway Projects' program, this year the AIT Center of Excellence on Nanotechnology (COEN) will hand over three commercial prototypes to KyI Co., Ltd. In return for the licensing and technology transfer, AIT will receive a commission on KyI's future post-tax revenues.
The direct linkage with industry is seen as a sustainable means of resource generation for AIT. In addition, KyI will fund academic scholarships at AIT valued at 2.9 million Thai Baht (THB), to be earmarked for nanotechnology postgraduate students to study at the COEN starting in August 2015.
RFID technologies involve authentication, verification, tracking and tracing, and anti-counterfeit solutions. For the initial 'Document Paper Gateway Project,' COEN scientists will create an RFID system for all degrees, diplomas and certificates conferred by AIT.
Later, a new RFID tag will be developed using a nano-silver inking process that is directly integrated into paper materials via nanotechnology. The technology enhances security and non-cloning capability and prevents any re-use or forgery, said AIT nanotechnology expert Dr. Louis Hornyak.
The second prototype involves embedding KyI RFIDs into identifications cards to enhance security and non-cloning of ID cards used by governments and other agencies, he said. AIT will develop integral RFID tags within the cards through nanotechnology inking processes.
A third prototype system will integrate new RFID tags and tagging systems into consumer goods, including modified readers and server-database systems with expanded capability. Nanotechnology is involved in developing adhesive materials, enhanced substrates, and self-destructive tags for use in the product.
Overall, the three-component system involves authorization, third-party verification, and tracking and tracing ability with back-end server support. According to Dr. Hornyak, HR departments will find the technology useful. "It's like a background check for academics," the COEN director said.
The MOA signed at the Asian Institute of Technology was witnessed by H.E. Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Chairman, AIT Board of Trustees; Dr. John Nelson, Vice Chairman, AIT Board of Trustees (CEO and Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Engineering Analytics Inc., USA); Mr. Noritada Morita, AIT Board of Trustees (Former Asian Development Bank Director); and Ms. Sujintana Chanyatipsakul, Permanent Secretary, Mekong Organization for Mankind (MOM).
Photo shows from left: H.E. Dr. Subin Pinkayan, AIT President Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Mr. Masayuki Kobayashi, and Dr. Louis Hornyak.