Hing Kai explained, "The toughest problem in 3D printing is not technology, but the protection of intellectual property. Our patent allows the use of watermarks to trace item-level information to protect intellectual property rights. This includes information such as the platform used and the individual in charge. This solves the difficult problem of tracking when intellectual property rights are infringed, whatever 3D printer is used."
In recent years, 3D printing technology has developed rapidly. Through collaborative internet design and virtual product research, people purchase 3D digital models instead of physical products. However, only authorised users should be able to copy, modify and manufacture these models. This necessitates security and protection of 3D digital files during information transfers to detect counterfeiting of the physical model. New 3D printing models have embedded digital watermarks in a triangular format, but this technology has several shortcomings. For instance, some lose information from the watermark after printing, resulting in identification errors.
This new digital watermarking technology provides an effective solution to the protection of 3D digital models by providing anti-counterfeiting measures in the printed physical object. Hing Kai further explains, "Although big data application is a hot topic right now, intellectual property protection is often more difficult to tackle than the technology itself. Most of the obstacles encountered in the promotion of 3D printing products are related to rights infringement. Even though some users are prepared to pay the infringement fees, they don't know whom to pay these fees. But with this patent, we can use technology to track-and-trace to find the original model. This protects every printed object using our patent."
The patent was not easy to register, taking a total of three years and a rigorous examination before finally succeeding. This achievement came from the close collaboration of Professor Hing Kai Chan, Dr Hui Leng Choo (a former professor from the Faculty of Science and Engineering who is currently working in Malaysia) and his doctoral student Niu Jie. The NUBS China team played the crucial role of providing algorithm-based and mathematical research for the patent project by building scientific models and improving related concepts. This combines processing techniques, operations management and supply chains to commercialise experimental research results and maximise the utilisation of the patent. Through cooperation with the UNNC Faculty of Science and Engineering, the Law Schools of the University of Exeter, Durham University, and the University of Sussex in the UK, as well as funding support of nearly RMB 1 million from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK), such joint efforts genuinely show the benefits of interdisciplinary projects. The combination of industry, university and research, lays a foundation for future research and application. The NUBS China research team has published both a paper in an international journal and the book Intellectual Property Rights and Emerging Technology: 3D Printing in China.
When discussing the next stages of applying for the patent, Hing Kai is looking for relevant companies and institutions that can cooperate with NUBS China and UNNC as a whole to discuss the right to use the patent through licensing agreements or consulting projects. "Getting a patent is the first step. It's not just a paper or an idea, it's something that can be made and applied. After all, the templates and algorithms that we developed cannot be patented if they are not practical. I believe this patent has a great future and will play an important role in stimulating the development of 3D technology."