Journal Entry 1 by Eyiram Gaze

Introduction and Research Paper Description

eyiramgaze — 2024-09-23 23:45:52 UTC

Researchers are constantly in search of extra safety physical encryption technology that prevents information leakage, counterfeiting, and release of confidential information while being able to make the decryption process less cumbersome by reducing the critical requirements for decryption.

This research paper was centered around increasing the strength of data encryption with thermosensitive hydrogels by hiding information and adding multiple levels of safety. The researchers proposed the “double lock” strategy that uses the property of these hydrogels to change their solubility when above or below certain solution temperatures, making them change the amount of light that passes through them (transmittance), hence hiding certain physical information. Two types of hydrogels were used based on lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and upper critical solution temperature (UCST). Aside these two, the density of crosslinks between the polymer hydrogels also play a part in the time it takes for the opacity of the hydrogels to change.

Figure 1

eyiramgaze — 2024-09-23 23:46:34 UTC

Graphs (a) and (b) were representations of the various hydrogels with different AM contents and their variations of certain properties with temperature. Graph (a) is a representation of the hydrgels with different AM contents(x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) and the variations of their transmittance with temperature. Although the different hydrogels with different AM contents were represented well with different colours that contrast each other graph, various critical point temperatures were not indicated and reduces a little clarity by not giving providing another reference points for easy interpretations. Graph (b) is a similar graph to Graph (a) but the lines in Graph (b) indicate turbidity of hydrogels with different AM contents with temperature. The Graphs (c) and (d) represent the phase transitions as a function of the crosslinker content (0-4%). However, the various colours in the graph are not labelled or described in a legend, hence making it hard to interpret the data accordingly.

Figure 2

eyiramgaze — 2024-09-23 23:47:17 UTC

The Graphs (a) and (b) are easy to interperet and easily gives an idea of how fast various hydrogels with constant AM contents and varying crosslink densities. This kind of graph was done separately for the other hydrogels that worked with UCST or LCST and not squeezed into one graph, making it relatively easier to read and understand.

Graphs (d) and (e) were similar, and both were represented using bar graphs. Graph (d) represents different free water content of various hydrogel compositions. The point as to why this representation was necessary was not very clear, as each had water content that was almost the same. However, graph (e) does a good job of showing the different energies required for phase transitions of these different hydrogel compositions.

Graphs (c) and (f) were short and were enough visual representation for the relevant information.

Conclusion

eyiramgaze — 2024-09-23 23:47:41 UTC

In conclusion, this research paper has given me many insights on data encryption and confidentiality. Further research has exposed to me to many ways data is made secure by any means possible. I would never have thought that substances that absorb water would be used to secure certain data, let alone do a good job at it.