Posted on 01/23/2008 8:07:51 AM PST by BGHater
The process developed by Somark involves a geometric array of micro-needles and an ink capsule, which is used to 'tattoo' an animal. The ink can be detected from 4 feet away.
A startup company developing chipless RFID ink has tested its product on cattle and laboratory rats.
Somark Innovations announced this week that it successfully tested biocompatible RFID ink, which can be read through animal hairs. The passive RFID technology could be used to identify and track cows to reduce financial losses from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (mad cow disease) scares. Somark, which formed in 2005, is located at the Center for Emerging Technologies in St. Louis. The company is raising Series A equity financing and plans to license the technology to secondary markets, which could include laboratory animals, dogs, cats, prime cuts of meat, and military personnel.
Chief scientist Ramos Mays said the tests provide a true proof-of-principle and mitigate most of the technological risks in terms of the product's performance. "This proves the ability to create a synthetic biometric or fake fingerprint with biocompatible, chipless RFID ink and read it through hair," he said.
Co-founder Mark Pydynowski said during an interview Wednesday that the ink doesn't contain any metals and can be either invisible or colored. He declined to say what is in the ink, but said he's certain that it is 100% biocompatible and chemically inert. He also said it is safe for people and animals.
The process developed by Somark involves a geometric array of micro-needles and a reusable applicator with a one-time-use ink capsule. Pydynowski said it takes five to 10 seconds to "stamp or tattoo" an animal, and there is no need to remove the fur. The ink remains in the dermal layer, and a reader can detect it from 4 feet away.
"Conceptually, you can think of it in the same way that visible light is reflected by mirrors," he said, adding that the actual process is slightly different and proprietary.
The amount of information contained in the ink depends on the surface area available, he said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture calls for a 15-digit number to track cattle. The first three digits are "840" for the U.S. country code. The remaining digits are unique identifiers. The numbers would link to a database containing more information.
"It can say where it has been, who it has talked to, who it has eaten with, and who else it has been in contact with," Pydynowski said.
Ranchers and others in the agricultural industry can choose a covert stamping system, which would make it impossible for cattle thieves to tell which animals have been marked and easy for those checking for stolen cattle to determine a cow's source. Pydynowski said the technology is an improvement over ear tags, which can be detached from cows and other products.
The technology could verify that cuts of meat originated in a hormone-free environment, Pydynowski said, adding that consumers would destroy the system by breaking down the ink when chewing the meat. In other words, Big Brother wouldn't know whether someone ate a Big Mac or a filet mignon, according to Pydynowski's explanation. However, the government and agricultural producers and retailers could track e-coli outbreaks in spinach, he said.
The ink also could be used to track and rescue soldiers, Pydynowski said.
"It could help identify friends or foes, prevent friendly fire, and help save soldiers' lives," he said. "It's a very scary proposition when you're dealing with humans, but with military personnel, we're talking about saving soldiers' lives and it may be something worthwhile."
FYI RFID ping
Are Eff Eye Dee PING
666............
Mark of the beast on your forehead?........
Apparently it can be invisible now
“It could help identify friends or foes, prevent friendly fire, and help save soldiers’ lives,” he said.
If we can see you, they can see you.
Ah...aren’t military personnel also humans?
In fact, I think I'd object in the most strenuous terms possible and at high velocity...
“Woe to you, Oh Earth and Sea, for the Devil sends the
beast with wrath, because he knows the time is short...
Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the
beast for it is a human number, its number is Six hundred and
sixty six.”
I left alone my mind was blank
I needed time to think to get the memories from my mind
What did I see can I believe that what I saw
that night was real and not just fantasy
Just what I saw in my old dreams were they
reflections of my warped mind staring back at me
‘Cos in my dream it’s always there the evil face that twists my mind
and brings me to despair
The night was black was no use holding back
‘Cos I just had to see was someone watching me
In the mist dark figures move and twist
Was this all for real or some kind of hell
666 the number of the beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released
Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised
As they start to cry hands held to the sky
In the night the fires burning bright
The ritual has begun Satan’s work is done
666 the number of the beast
Sacrifice is going on tonight
This can’t go on I must inform the law
Can this still be real or just some crazy dream
But I feel drawn towards the evil chanting hordes
They seem to mesmerise me ... can’t avoid their eyes
666 the number of the beast
666 the one for you and me
I’m coming back I will return
And I’ll possess your body and I’ll make you burn
I have the fire I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take it’s course
The Book of Revelation never said it was visible, only that it was there. I often wondered how people would have the “mark” on their foreheads and not look silly. Now we know............
Can I put it on my golf ball so I can easily find it an not get a two stroke penalty?
Just drink the Kool-Aide...
Yep I often wondered the same thing...and thus my comment.
This sounds like a good way to possibly track deported illegal aliens....all of them, not just the Mexicans.
Seconded.
“It’s a very scary proposition when you’re dealing with humans, but with military personnel, we’re talking about saving soldiers’ lives and it may be something worthwhile.”
So there is a difference between military personnel and humans, after all; I thought that was just a matter of opinion.
Ping.
Company’s name is “Somark”?
“Then a third angel followed them, saying
with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast
and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead
or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of
the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured
out full strength into the cup of His indignation.
He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in
the presence of the holy angels and in the presense
of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever;and they have no rest day or night,
who worship the beast and his image, and whoever
receives the mark of his name.”- Revelation 14:9
Written by John prophetically some 2000 years ago...the Word of the living God is always proven true.
(John 3:1-36)
Correction. Revelations 14:9-11
What is the benefit of an invisible bar code? Don’t they want the slaves to know they are slaves?
When I was still in the service, we were ordered to go to the clinic one day, enmasse, to provide a blood sample. Not just a few of us, ALL of us. Every, single individual in the military was told to give this blood sample. When questioned about it, we were told it was a “DNA sample”. There were no explanations, just orders to do so.
This was a few years before 9-11, probably 99 or so if I remember rightly, perhaps earlier.
I refused. Eventually they got the rest of us who were refusing, in one fell swoop. Almost got an article 15 for it. Finally, like a good military person, I complied.
The Government has our DNA already. It’s a matter of time before we’re tattooed too.
The world is a place in which I long for a change. I love technology, computers, the Internet, and all the other really cool, Star Trekish stuff that goes with it. But, I don’t like this tracking of people stuff. I don’t like the fact that illegals get here and are untracked, but you know what? I’m a free citizen of this country and I shouldn’t have to provide JACK to ANYONE to PROVE who I am.
Lock the gates and stop the inrush of these people, illegal aliens, and criminals and terrorists. Then find the ones that don’t belong here when they apply for drivers licenses or break the law and get caught.
Mean time, keep the friggin’ tattoos off of ME.
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