A scanner that reads a fingerprint as well as the unique pattern of tissue and blood content beneath the skin could offer higher reliability for biometric security.
The paper-thin sensor, being developed by Nanoident Technologies, based in Linz, Austria, could be on the market in one to two years as a safe and secure way for accessing sensitive data on smart cards, cell phones, and other electronic devices.
According to Klaus Schroeter, CEO and founder of Nanoident, conventional finger scanners typically read just the pattern of the surface print. That has two big disadvantages: the recognition accuracy is only about 97 percent and the scanners can be fooled by fake fingers posing as the real deal.