OTHER PROJECTS

In response to requests from other federal agencies the Division conducts research on a reimbursable basis to solve specific needs of the requesting agency. The nature of these activities changes from year to year depending on national priorities. Specific projects include assistance to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State to evaluate candidate security laminates and a long term activity with the National Institute of Dental Research to develop improved dental restorative materials. The last mentioned project is included in the report on the Dental and Medical Materials Program.

Development and Utilization of Test Methods for Qualification of Passport Laminates

W.G. McDonough and D.L. Hunston

Objectives

One objective is to perform testing and provide consultation to assist the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State, in selecting and purchasing the plastic laminate that is used to protect the photograph and descriptive information on the U.S. Passport. Another objective is to perform testing and provide consultation on the development of the next generation U.S. Passport.

Technical Description

NIST's responsibilities include performing evaluation tests as part of the solicitation process, examining new materials and security concepts that become available, and developing new test methods as required by progress in the field. The area of the passport that contains the photograph and descriptive information is called the data page. The laminates must protect this page from dirt, spills and abrasions that may occur in normal use. In addition, these laminates must resist attempts to tamper with the photograph or data page. When new laminating material is needed, the Department of State issues a solicitation inviting manufacturers to submit products for evaluation. NIST has a continuing cooperative program with the State Department to assist in this activity. NIST=s responsibilities include: (1) consulting on the plan for evaluation tests included in the solicitation, (2) performing these tests as part of the solicitation process, (3) examining new materials and security concepts that become available, and (4) developing new test methods as required by progress in the field. Finally, where appropriate, NIST and the State Department provide feedback to the manufacturers on the performance of their technology in the evaluation. This assists the companies in making better materials for the future and thereby helps the Government improve the security of the passport.

With the ultimate goal to have a more secure U.S. Passporassports involves evaluating techniques to put down a digitized image onto the data page in lieu of the currently used photograph. By combining a digitized image with state-of-the-art security devices, the security of the US Passport should be greatly enhanced.

Accomplishments

For work on passport laminates, the current plan for evaluation tests includes ten different measurements and NIST conducts nine of these. In past work, a number of the tests have been refined and improved by NIST in consultation with the State Department as part of this Project. The measurements assess susceptibility to attack by common fluids, durability and processability of the materials, and resistance to tampering. The results are provided to the State Department who combines them with cost and other data to make a final procurement decision.

During the past year, a number of new concepts in digital image technology were evaluated and the results served as a guide for future directions for this field. NIST helped review the current solicitation to make the next generation passports and this solicitation is now in the evaluation stage.

Outputs

Reports on the work are provided to the State Department on a periodic basis.