Liangjiang institution develops innovative encryption method

Professor Zeng Heping and his team at the Chongqing Institute of East China Normal University, located in Liangjiang New Area, have developed a cutting-edge encryption technique that utilizes a random maze etched onto ultra-thin gold film, strengthening data security.

This approach addresses the vulnerabilities of traditional encryption methods, which often depend on pre-stored passwords susceptible to theft and compromise. Detailed in the journal Advanced Science, the research showcases how a femtosecond laser creates a random maze on gold film only 20 nanometers thick.

The process involves the internal distribution of random nano-islands within the film, and the randomness inherent in this process ensures that duplication is impossible, even with detailed knowledge of the method.

Experimental results demonstrate that the keys generated through this technique exhibit excellent randomness, uniqueness, and reliability. Each key is distinct and provides stable results with every reading.

This innovative technology enables users to generate keys on demand using portable devices that read the maze's physical response. After encryption is completed, the key is erased, and a new key is generated for each subsequent use.

The technology has been validated on FPGA chips for encrypting local information. Zeng said that this method holds promise as a universal physical key solution for IoT devices and embedded systems, marking a shift in information security from storage-based protection to generation-based security.