Luminescence imaging for sensing and/or authentication

Abstract

Compositions, articles, systems, and methods for sensing and/or authentication using luminescence imaging are generally provided. In some embodiments, an article (or packaging material of an article) is associated with an emissive material comprising an emissive species (e.g., a luminescent species). In some cases, the emissive species has an emission lifetime of at least 10 nanoseconds (ns). In some cases, a characteristic of an article (e.g., identity, authenticity, age, quality, purity) may be determined by obtaining an image (or series of images) comprising time-dependent information related to an emissive species. In certain instances, for example, the emission lifetime of an emissive species may be determined from an image (or series of images). Since the emission lifetime of an emissive species may be modified by a number of factors, including but not limited to binding or proximity to other molecules (e.g., water, oxygen, carbon monoxide), temperature, pH, and radiation exposure, the measured length of the emission lifetime (e.g., the observed emission lifetime, the emission time period) may provide information regarding a characteristic of an associated article. In some instances, an emissive material comprising one or more emissive species may be used to identify and/or authenticate an associated article.