QuantumPUF is a new European research project that aims to reduce the risk of theft, copying, or extraction of digital credentials through quantum physics. The project is coordinated by Instituto de Telecomunicações and brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers and institutions across Europe, which includes Paulo André, Emmanuel Cruzeiro, Paulo Mateus, Preeti Yadav, Ana Bastos, Chrysoula Vlachou, researchers at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa.

The project, funded by the EU programme EIC Pathfinder, focuses on developing portable readout quantum Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) based on luminescent materials and quantum properties impossible to replicate. This means that the devices we use in our daily lives may eventually incorporate physical features that cannot be cloned, rather than relying solely on stored digital credentials such as passwords or cryptographic keys.

“The device’s ‘identity’ is embedded in its material and results from minute physical variations introduced during the manufacturing process, making it virtually impossible to replicate or copy”, explains Paulo André, a professor at Técnico. He believes this project represents “a significant paradigm shift in security”, leading to devices that are “more secure and reliable, without increasing complexity for users”.

The combination of photonics, materials engineering and quantum cryptography is seen as a breakthrough in the development of “new secure authentication solutions”. The researcher emphasises that this project opens the door to practical applications outside the laboratory: “One of the most promising aspects is the ambition to make these signatures readable by portable optical sensors and potentially even by smartphone cameras in the future”.

In Paulo André’s view, PUFs could have a “very significant” social impact, as they are capable of providing “greater protection of personal data, greater trust in digital infrastructure, greater security in supply chains and greater resilience in critical sectors”, he explains.

Paulo André also points out that this project is not limited to cybersecurity. It demonstrates that “physics, materials science, engineering and cryptography can create innovative solutions that hold real potential for benefiting society”. The project has a total budget of approximately €3 million and aims to address the challenges of a “hyperconnected world” and anticipate the impact of quantum technologies.