As RFID technology adoption grows across industries and expands to Asia Pacific and developing nations such as India and China, the demand for RFID tags that can be fitted to all kinds of assets from metal IT assets, containers, pallets, liquid items such as beverages, perfumes, and other cosmetics to vaccine vials, blood sample tubes, etc. also grows.
RFID technology is a sure way to get real-time tracking and on-floor visibility in warehouses and retail stores. Consequently, retail giants have issued mandates to their suppliers in various categories to tag most of their supplies with RFID tags. Businesses like Walmart, Target, Macy’s, P&G, etc. are actively deploying RFID technology to improve their supply chain and enhance customer experience in their stores spread across the globe.
Since RFID technology leverages radio frequency waves in LF, HF, and UHF categories, there are interference issues depending on liquid and metal presence in the environment. While Low-Frequency RFID tags are more resistant to interference, UHF RFID tags don’t function well around metals and liquids. RAIN RFID tags (UHF Passive RFID) work on UHF 860-960 MHz frequency and these short waves are more prone to interference issues in general.
RFID Interference Issues Due to Liquids
The performance of typical UHF RFID tags is highly affected around liquids. When applied on containers, cans, bottles, and packages that contain liquid items, the UHF RFID tag antennas are detuned and fail to function due to interference from the liquid. These RF signals transmitted from the tag are weak and fail to be detected by an RFID reader.
Consequently, various RFID tag manufacturing firms are innovating their RFID tag designs to overcome this interference issue, while many firms are adopting innovative ways to ward off interference due to liquids.
6 Ways to Improve RFID Tagging of Liquids
Now, coming to improving the RFID tagging of liquids and getting accurate information embedded in RFID tags, let’s look at 6 ways to improve the RFID tagging of liquids as follows-
1. Use RFID Flag Tags
RFID flag tags, also known as RFID standing tags, are a great way to tag beer cans, beverages, liquid containers, perfume bottles, vaccine vials, etc. These tags are designed to be wrapped around the container to keep the RFID chip and antenna away from the liquid in the container. For example, vaccine vials and lap test tubes frequently use RFID flag tags to track and trace these liquid items.
2. Use the RFID tag above the fill level
Another way to improve the RFID tagging of valuable assets that contain liquid is to use the RFID label above the fill level. Placing the RFID label above the fill level ensures that RFID tag antennas don’t detune due to interference from the liquid and work properly.
However, ensuring the right fill level for all the liquid assets is not easy and only firms that have a fixed fill level of their assets benefit from this method.
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3. Use the RFID Tag on the Cap
Another way to improve how you tag a liquid asset is to use an RFID tag on the cap. However, it requires a very small tag design for this purpose where the RFID chip and the antenna are embedded with the cap of the bottle, container.
4. RFID Anti-liquid Labels
RFID anti-liquid labels are designed to block interference from the liquid inside a container and work well with such assets. These tags are designed to keep the RFID chip and the antenna insulated with a thick substrate blocking the RF interference coming from the liquid inside the container.
5. Use Graphene RFID Tag
RFID tags with graphene-printed antennas are highly suitable for high-dielectric, high-density materials and offer liquid resistance. These tags are eco-friendly and work well in retail and supply chain industries where liquid assets need to be tagged with an RFID Tag.
The printable substrate also ensures that the tag is easily applied on curved surfaces without breaking the antenna lines or destroying the tag.
6. Use Low-Frequency RFID Tags
Another way to improve the RFID tagging of liquids is to use low-frequency (125 KHz- 134 KHz) RFID tags on liquid packages and vaccine vials. These tags work well against interference from liquids. The low-frequency RFID tags, however, offer lower transmission rate as well as a short read range. The cost of low frequency RFID tags is nearly the same as UHF passive RFID tags.
Benefits of Improved RFID Tagging for Liquids
Improving the RFID tagging of liquids offers several benefits, including:
1. Enhanced Inventory Accuracy
Improved RFID tagging of liquids leads to higher accuracy in inventory management, which is essential for businesses operating in industries where precise tracking of liquid assets is critical.
2. Real-time Monitoring with RFID
Enhanced RFID tagging allows for real-time monitoring of liquid assets, providing specific information on inventory levels, stock details, and other relevant data.
3. Improved Security with RFID Technology
Implementing advanced security measures, such as encryption, and RFID tagging of liquids can ensure enhanced data security, protecting the integrity of the embedded information.
To conclude, improving the RFID tagging of liquids involves addressing specific challenges related to frequency selection, tag and tag antenna design, tag durability, read range optimization, etc. To improve the RFID performance around liquids, one can use RFID flag tags, RFID anti-liquid tags with thick substrate, RFID low-frequency tags, as well as Graphene tags with printed antennas as these offer high resistance to interference due to liquids and metals.
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