Holograms are commonly used today for a variety of ID and card applications to verify their authenticity. However, because they are only stamped on the surface of a card, their authenticity can be compromised. A new technology uses plastic-based holographic materials to more securely store information. Scientists at GE Global Research, in collaboration with SABIC Innovative Plastics, have developed a new class of holographic materials that could enable the Secure ID card of the future. These holographic materials can be directly laminated to a card, injection molded into a part, extruded into film, or cast into a very thin film. Because the materials can be processed in plastic this new technology could serve as a next generation platform for a variety of ID badges or cards, including Driver’s licenses and passports, Employee badges, Credit cards, Identity cards for health insurance and secure access. This Secure ID technology uses volume holography to store information in a much higher security format, storing holograms within the card material itself, making it virtually impossible for a card to be altered. Ensuring the security of bank cards and different forms of ID by this technology will provide a true step change in the level of security, making it virtually impossible to steal a person’s identity or tamper with their cards in any way. Another unique aspect is that they are injection-moldable and can be shaped. Hence potential applications of this technology could be expanded well beyond cards such as to verify the authenticity of a variety of products like laptop computers, cell phones and other electronic devices, sunglasses and other consumer goods. Fingerprinting and biometric scans used today to fast track airport screening, could be accelerated and made more robust by storing these records on the Secure ID card as a high resolution holographic image. Using the entire volume of a plastic material to store holograms gives them a uniquely distinct appearance, which makes it virtually impossible to duplicate. And unlike surface holograms, this technology can store multiple holograms in a plastic card that allows for more robust security and personalized features. It is possible to store 3-D images of a person’s face, record their fingerprints and even create unique animations within our holographic plastic materials. It is possible to control the visibility of what a person can see on the card. This will enable varying levels of security features that are needed for different applications. Recently, there has been an increase in the production and sales of counterfeit products and illegal imitations, in addition to credit cards, ID cards and bank notes, which violate intellectual property rights. In reaction to the progression of illegal fabrication technology, the demand for highly secure hologram technology, with faster and more accurate authentication has rapidly increased. Sony Disc and Digital Solutions have developed new mass production technology which adds an additional layer of security to Lippmann holograms by recording individually distinct identification codes. Lippmann holograms with individually distinct identification codes are extremely resistant to counterfeiting and forgery, and are most suitable for credit cards, smart IC cards and authentication stickers. The mass production technology for individually coded holograms is based on Sony's optical recording and digital image processing technologies and has been applied to the mass-production and quality control processes of the holograms.