Injection-Molded Physical Unclonable Function

Abstract

A physical unclonable function formed by an injection molding machine is disclosed. A highly random distribution of magnetic particles is created by magnetizing magnetizable particles before feeding the particles into the injection molding machine due to turbulence within the injection molding machine. Plastic is also fed into the injection molding machine to suspend the particles. Other devices and processes are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a physical unclonable function (PUF) comprising:
 obtaining feed material containing plastic and between ten and twenty percent, inclusive, by weight magnetizable flakes that are not magnetized;   then magnetizing the flakes;   then feeding the feed material into an injection molding machine; and   then forming the feed material into an injection-molded PUF.   
     
     
         2 . An injection-molded physical unclonable function (PUF) prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
 obtaining feed material containing plastic and between ten and twenty percent, inclusive, by weight magnetizable flakes that are not magnetized;   then magnetizing the flakes;   then feeding the feed material into an injection molding machine; and   then forming the feed material into the injection-molded PUF.   
     
     
         3 . A method of manufacturing a physical unclonable function (PUF) comprising:
 obtaining feed material containing plastic and a magnetized alloy of neodymium, iron and boron;   then feeding the feed material into an injection molding machine;   then heating the magnetized alloy to below its Curie temperature; and   then forming the feed material into an injection-molded PUF.   
     
     
         4 . An injection-molded physical unclonable function (PUF) prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
 obtaining feed material containing plastic and a magnetized alloy of neodymium, iron and boron;   then feeding the feed material into an injection molding machine to form the injection-molded PUF;   then heating the magnetized alloy to below its Curie temperature; and   then forming the feed material into the injection-molded PUF.