Highly secure all-printed Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) electronic device based on a nanomaterial network

The technology is an all-printed Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) electronic device based on a nanomaterial (such as single-walled carbon nanotube) network. The network may be a mixture of semiconducting and metallic nanotubes randomly tangled with each other through the printing process. The all-printed PUF electronic device comprises a nanomaterial ink that is inkjet deposited, dried, and randomly tangled on a substrate, creating a network. A plurality of electrode pairs is attached to the substrate around the substrate perimeter. Each nanotube in the network can be a conduction path between electrode pairs, with the resistance values varying among individual pairs and between networks due to inherent inter-device and intra-device variability. The unique resistance distribution pattern for each network may be visualized using a contour map based on the electrode information, providing a PUF key that is a 2D pattern of analog values. The PUF security keys remain stable and maintain robustness against security attacks. Although local resistance change may occur inside the network (e.g., due to environmental impact), such change has little effect on the overall pattern. In addition, when a network-wide resistance change occurs, all resistances are affected together, so that the unique pattern is maintained. Assets are traditionally secured so important information can only be accessed when a key is placed in a lock (physical or electronic). Given the tremendous increase in the number of devices in the era of Internet of Things (IoT), direct access between things without human intervention is ideal. IoT related devices require unique identification codes that can be safely stored for security and that are resistant to physical attacks and exposure to harsh environments. As a solution, NASA Ames has developed a Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) electronic device using an all-printed nanomaterial network , such as a Carbon Nanotube (CNT) network. The invention leverages the intrinsic, random, and unique features of CNTs in a network for authentication, which can be used as a secret, stable, and robust key for high-level hardware security.