Technology

Our Process

FACT’s forensic technology captures, analyzes and stores a unique digital fingerprint with the click of a button.

Scanning

The FACT Secured Device captures high-resolution 3D scans via nondestructive white light interferometry.

Analysis

FACT Analysis Software inspects scans to verify authenticity and identify changes in condition.

Storage

Robust asset profiles are created and stored on the FACT Secured Database on the blockchain.

Interferometer Scanning

Hyper-detailed forensic imaging

The FACT Secured Device captures ultra-high-resolution scans in seconds, compiling 100,000 unique images of the piece from various angles to create a single, inimitable digital fingerprint. Our patent-pending device is powered by white light interferometry, a contactless and nondestructive scanning methodology that merges multiple light sources to create a 3D image, which can be analyzed and measured with unmatched precision.

Each scan stores a complete topography surface profile of the piece, including the thickness, depth, and roughness of brush strokes. Scans are collected at a resolution of two microns, revealing details on the asset’s surface as minute as two microns, or 1/50 the diameter of a human hair.

More About Interferometry

Interferometry is the process of using light patterns to spot differences in physical objects. The process is specifically designed to measure very small details – like bullet imprints at a crime scene or, in our case, brush strokes in a painting – with incredibly high accuracy. Interferometry starts with interference, which is when two energy waves (in this case light waves) overlap to create a third wave, called a superposition. Interferometry analyzes the superposition to determine the measurement of microscopic objects.

An interferometer powers this process by splitting a beam of light into two equal halves using a beam splitter. One beam shines onto a mirror and back at the interferometer to serve as the point of reference, and the second beam shines at the object being measured, like a piece of art. When those two separate beams of light meet back up, their overlap creates an interference made up of light and dark patterns. Those patterns analyze the measurements of objects as small as a single mold spore. By comparing the patterns from asset scans over time, FACT is able to make empirical assessments.

Advanced Analytics

Scans analyzed with advanced analytical software

The FACT Analytics Software instantaneously inspects each scan and compares it against any previous scans logged in the asset profile, analyzing surface features to confirm the asset is authentic. Further analysis identifies changes in condition, highlights defects and measures degradation. Leveraging 4D analysis allows FACT to catalogue advanced metrics over time – roughness, height, depth, wear – providing valuable insights for asset conservation.

Our analytics provide unique benefits for purpose driven condition reporting; highlighting any damage and tracking degradation, that occurred while a piece was loaned or transported. These analyses – which are powered by statistical and correlative analysis on the 3D imaging – are automatically compiled into detailed reports and stored directly in the asset’s blockchain record.

More About 4D Analysis

With every new scan, comes new data from the same digital fingerprints. While the fingerprint does not structurally change, minor changes within reveal key information that allows FACT’s system to make it’s determinations. Digital fingerprints scans produce 3D images of the surface made at different times or under different environmental conditions. 4D analysis combines the measurements into a series with 4 dimensions x, y, z and t, where t is one of the hundreds of statistics the FACT system records – time, temperature, light, roughness or another fourth dimension (linear or non-linear).

Blockchain Security

Immutable record of provenance

Each asset scan is added to a robust profile that also includes: provenance information, condition reports, travel history, and restoration activity. This reporting structure empowers the fast and secure transfer of documentation and ownership upon the sale of a piece, telling a complete story of the assets history and effectively serving as a due diligence process.

Each unique signature and profile is stored securely in the FACT Secured Database on the blockchain, which ensures that a collection’s data is immutable – thus protecting against forgery, insurance fraud, money laundering, and theft.

More About Blockchain

Blockchain is a hyper-secure system for digitally recording transactions on a distributed ledger that is duplicated across a network of computer systems. Every time a transaction is made on the blockchain, a record is made on a decentralized database – or Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) – that is managed by multiple people. DLT is unique in that it is:

Time-stamped: Every transaction is recorded with an unchangeable timestamp
Immutable: Transactions cannot be modified, reversed, changed, or in any way edited
Distributed: All transactions are accessible across the network of participants to empower complete transparency
Hyper-secure: All transactions are individually encrypted and thus protected against data breaches and hacking