Honeywell has unveiled the development of a new technology, Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM), which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to count and classify microscopic particles or cells efficiently. This innovation holds significant potential across various industries where rapid analysis and streamlined operations are essential.

Researchers from EPFL’s Laboratory of Applied Photonic Devices, led by Christophe Moser, in collaboration with Jesper Glückstad’s team at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), have revealed a breakthrough in 3D printing.

Radiant Opto-Electronics (ROE) Corporation, based in Taiwan and a leader in backlight module technologies, has completed the acquisition of Denmark-based NIL Technology (NILT), recognised for its innovative meta-optics and nanostructured flat optics solutions.

The De La Rue’s new express label series calls for thought.

In the January and February 2025 issues of Holography & Optical Technology News™, we covered banknotes featuring optical innovations from Argentina, Mauritius, Romania, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Kenya, China, the Falklands, and Belize.

De La Rue has introduced the Optical Express Label Series (OELS) to provide brand owners with quick yet secure authentication solutions.

Crane NXT has secured its first micro- optics contract through the OpSec Security channel with a luxury perfume brand.

At the recent High Security Printing™ (HSP) EMEA conference in Basel (3-5 February), Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager at Covestro Specialty Films, highlighted the crucial role of holography and advanced optical technologies in modern identity documents.

Giriraj Foils (IOTA member), a well-respected name in India’s high- security films, stamping foils and laminates, has partnered with François-Charles Oberthur group, a global leader in banknote printing, security solutions and technologies, to deliver micro-optics and other advanced authentication solutions tailored for the Indian market.

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA), previously known as the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), has announced its inaugural leadership team for the new global trade body focused on optical security technologies.

The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) hosted the sixth edition of the Traceability and Authentication Forum in New Delhi on 17-18 March. The event highlighted the need for stronger anticounterfeiting laws and a greater use of authentication and traceability tools.

In a collaborative development, Banknote Corporation of India (BCA) joined 4Plate, Covestro, Luminescence, and IQ Structures to introduce the Milano card (collectible), a bold celebration of creativity and innovation.

The Intergraf Currency+Identity 2025 conference was held with style and innovation from 5-7 March in Milan, Italy. From the start, it promised more than just discussions, offering a creative and insightful take on the world of security printing to the 1,000+ delegates that took part.

Sanyo Chemical, a global manufacturer and supplier of performance chemicals based in Kyoto, Japan, has launched HILUCIS, a UV-curable nanoimprint resin designed to enhance the development of next-generation optical devices for Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).

On 23 January 2025, the Central Bank of Belize (CBoB) announced a new series of banknotes (in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100) featuring holographic threads and stripes. This announcement signifies a significant milestone in Belize’s financial landscape, showcasing innovative designs that celebrate the country’s rich heritage while embracing modernity.

The Chinese Lunar New Year 2025 began on 29 January, marking the start of the Year of the Snake. While people and organisations celebrate this in various ways, Holography & Optical Technology News® focuses on a few innovative industry developments welcoming the year of the snake.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has a long relationship with holography, dating back to 1968 and Professor Stephen Benton, a leading figure in the field and the inventor of rainbow holography. Benton joined MIT in the late 1980s and established the Spatial Imaging Group within the Media Lab. This article briefly covers the activities between MIT and holography.

On 3 July 2024, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) began a new journey with holograms on banknotes, as it issued a new series of banknotes carrying holographic portraits.

Researchers from the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas and the University of Crete, both in Greece, have developed a groundbreaking optical encryption method that they claim achieves an outstanding level of security.

Recent advancements in nanofabrication have demonstrated new possibilities for enhancing the design of optical security devices (OSDs) that display different images under various lighting conditions, including those combining colour printing with holography. However, the complexity of designing such devices and the challenge of scaling them up for real-world use remain significant hurdles.

A European research team from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Belgium is developing an innovative imaging technology to visualise neuronal processes in living organisms with high precision.

Luminit, a California-based provider of innovative light management solutions for the lighting display, automotive, biomedical, entertainment, and machine vision industries, has made a number of key senior appointments.

With its charming riverside setting, vibrant cultural scene, and excellent public transport, Basel hosted the 21st edition of High Security Printing™ EMEA (HSP EMEA).

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks, ‘What’s in a name?’. Her words suggest that names are merely labels, holding little significance in defining the essence of a thing. Yet, names can profoundly shape perceptions, signal identity, and set expectations. With this in mind, I want to update you about a pivotal moment for Holography News® (HN), which is adopting a new name: Holography & Optical Technology News® (HOT News).

In the November 2024 issues of Holography News™, we covered banknotes featuring optical innovations from Samoa, Lesotho, Bermuda, and Cambodia.

A team of researchers at Sun Yat-sen University in China, has developed a novel luminescent material with dynamic properties.

CES® (short for the Consumer Electronics Show) is justifiably referred to as the most influential technology event in the world. It is the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. CES 2025 was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 7-10 January 2025.

Advances in optical security technologies are crucial in combating counterfeiting, particularly for government issued documents and banknotes. A recent development in this field is the creation of a high-numerical-aperture (NA) multilevel diffractive microlens array (MLA) that operates across multiple wavelengths.

The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), in collaboration with The Rise (event management firm), has announced the next edition of its flagship event, the Traceability & Authentication Forum™ (TAF).

With the new branding, the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) – formerly the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) – is expanding its advocacy of the optical security technologies ecosystem.

The Supreme Court of India is considering making hologram-based, colour-coded stickers (HCCS) for vehicles mandatory nationwide. This comes amid growing concerns about pollution, with an increasing trend in the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi, the country’s capital. The court noted that of the approximately 2.7 million vehicles in Delhi, only 1.7-1.8 million had these HCCS, which are crucial for identifying vehicles using sub-par fuel on high-pollution days.

Appotronics, a leader in laser display technology, has announced a strategic partnership with Ceres Holographics to combine their technologies for in-car display solutions, including transparent heads-up displays (HUDs) for drivers and passengers.

WiMi Hologram Cloud Inc (NASDAQ: WiMi), a global hologram augmented reality (AR) technology provider, has announced the development of a hybrid CPU- FPGA quantum AI simulator.