AdvayaTech, a spin-off originating from the University of Aveiro (UA) and the Institute of Telecommunications (IT), has licensed a pioneering technology that combines transparent luminescent inks with QR codes to transmit multiple light signals simultaneously through a single medium. This innovation significantly expands data capacity, enabling more secure authentication, enhanced traceability, and stronger anti-counterfeiting mechanisms across global supply chains.

The company was created to commercially advance research developed at both institutions and was awarded first place in the NTT Data eAwards Portugal, support that facilitated the establishment of the spin-off.

The licensed technology is protected by two patents granted in Portugal and the United States. At its core is a method that allows authentication, tracking, and even sensing of physical parameters—such as temperature or UV exposure—through a single reading point. The system can be discreetly integrated into existing packaging or surfaces without altering design, recyclability, or material sustainability. This capacity to embed multiple layers of information within a single code offers a substantial competitive advantage for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, and luxury goods, where security, logistics efficiency, and consumer trust are critical.

The project was developed through the collaboration of researchers Rute Ferreira and Luís Carlos, professors in the Department of Physics and members of CICECO–Aveiro Institute of Materials; Paulo André, professor in the Department of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics and member of IT; and João Ramalho, researcher at both UA and IT.

Reflecting on the work behind the innovation, researcher and professor Rute Ferreira notes: “This patent is the result of more than twenty years of interdisciplinary research bringing together expertise in photonics, materials science, and optical communications. The development of transparent luminescent inks capable of multiplexing information within QR codes represents a novel pathway for product authentication and traceability.”

The licensing marks a decisive step for AdvayaTech. “By integrating a patent rooted in scientific excellence into the portfolio of a spin-off, we transform frontier knowledge into concrete solutions addressing a global challenge: ensuring authenticity and trust across supply chains. As a co-author of the patent, I see this moment as an opportunity for the research I took part in to generate tangible impact and contribute to safer, more sustainable, and more innovative solutions,” adds Rute Ferreira.

Aligned with the national strategy for innovation and knowledge valorization, this licensing strengthens the role of UA, CICECO, and IT as drivers of technological advancement, fostering entrepreneurship and the growth of knowledge-based companies within the Portuguese ecosystem.

More information on the technology: https://www.advayatec.com/