University of La Laguna Team Wins Innovation Prize for Breakthrough Anti-Counterfeiting Technology
A research team from the University of La Laguna has won the Blas Cabrera Innovation and Technology Prize for developing "Tenet Lightkey," a patented photonics-based security system designed to combat counterfeiting through invisible optical signatures.
Bridging the gap between academic research and the business world remains a major challenge for Spanish science. However, a team from the University of La Laguna (ULL) has made a significant breakthrough in applied photonics, earning them the Blas Cabrera Canary Islands Innovation and Technology Prize. Selected from 38 entries by the Canary Islands Association of Startups (Emerge), the team was honored for creating a new security system using inorganic luminescent materials.
The project, named "Tenet Lightkey," is the culmination of 25 years of research led by Professor Jorge Méndez, Professor Pablo Acosta, and doctoral candidate Miguel Medina. The technology, which was officially patented in January, uses the unique properties of rare-earth elements to create a light signal invisible to the human eye. When scanned with infrared light, this "optical signature" acts as a highly secure authentication code, offering a much more reliable alternative to traditional holograms or ultraviolet inks.
The 30,000-euro prize is more than just a technical accolade; it is a vital tool for retaining talent. The funding will allow Miguel Medina to join the research group professionally after he completes his doctoral thesis. This move is part of a larger effort by the university’s Knowledge Transfer Office to launch a spin-off company through the Tenerife Knowledge Entrepreneurship program.
The material is highly versatile and can be integrated into various industrial processes, including glass manufacturing, labeling, and offset printing. Since 2021, the team has been working with the Bank of Spain to test the technology’s potential for securing paper currency. Beyond banking, the innovation could help combat fraud in industries ranging from luxury goods and electronics to wine production.
The project’s name, inspired by ancient Roman magic squares, reflects the mysterious and secure nature of the technology. By winning this award, the ULL team not only honors the legacy of physicist Blas Cabrera—who studied rare earths a century ago—but also demonstrates how academic research can drive practical, global solutions to help businesses fight the economic impact of counterfeiting.