Physical One‐Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical Work
Abstract Decentralized consensus on the state of the Bitcoin blockchain is ensured by proof of work. It relies on digital one‐way functions and is associated with an enormous environmental impact. This paper conceptualizes a physical one‐way function that aims to transform a digital, electricity‐con...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Advanced Science |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202409386 |
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| _version_ | 1832540911878275072 |
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| author | Marvin Winkler Catharina Peither Simon Petrick Lothar Seidemann Holger Jelich Frank Kleine Jäger Jörn Müller‐Quade Alexander Colsmann Hermann Nirschl Frank Rhein |
| author_facet | Marvin Winkler Catharina Peither Simon Petrick Lothar Seidemann Holger Jelich Frank Kleine Jäger Jörn Müller‐Quade Alexander Colsmann Hermann Nirschl Frank Rhein |
| author_sort | Marvin Winkler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Decentralized consensus on the state of the Bitcoin blockchain is ensured by proof of work. It relies on digital one‐way functions and is associated with an enormous environmental impact. This paper conceptualizes a physical one‐way function that aims to transform a digital, electricity‐consuming consensus mechanism into a physical process. Boundary conditions for the security requirements are established and discussed as well as experimentally investigated for a specific setup based on printing and optical analysis of pigment‐carrier composites. In the context of the applied methods, this setup promises to be mathematically unclonable, steady, reproducible, collision resistant and non‐invertible and illustrates the feasibility of a physical one‐way function. Based on this, a framework for proof of physical work is conceptualized, which has the potential of a drastically lower CO2 footprint. This work initiates a progressive, interdisciplinary field of research and demands further investigations with regards to alternative setups, security definitions and strategies for challenging them. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b1e6a591b4634413ad2ab53dd8dee14f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2198-3844 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Advanced Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-b1e6a591b4634413ad2ab53dd8dee14f2025-02-04T13:14:54ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-02-01125n/an/a10.1002/advs.202409386Physical One‐Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical WorkMarvin Winkler0Catharina Peither1Simon Petrick2Lothar Seidemann3Holger Jelich4Frank Kleine Jäger5Jörn Müller‐Quade6Alexander Colsmann7Hermann Nirschl8Frank Rhein9Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics (MVM) KIT Strasse am Forum 8 76131 Karlsruhe GermanyInstitute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics (MVM) KIT Strasse am Forum 8 76131 Karlsruhe GermanyMaterial Research Center for Energy Systems (MZE) KIT Strasse am Forum 7 76131 Karlsruhe GermanyBASF SE Carl‐Bosch‐Strasse 38 67056 Ludwigshafen/Rhein GermanyBASF SE Carl‐Bosch‐Strasse 38 67056 Ludwigshafen/Rhein GermanyBASF SE Carl‐Bosch‐Strasse 38 67056 Ludwigshafen/Rhein GermanyInstitute of Information Security and Dependability (KASTEL) KIT Am Fasanengarten 5 76131 Karlsruhe GermanyMaterial Research Center for Energy Systems (MZE) KIT Strasse am Forum 7 76131 Karlsruhe GermanyInstitute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics (MVM) KIT Strasse am Forum 8 76131 Karlsruhe GermanyInstitute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics (MVM) KIT Strasse am Forum 8 76131 Karlsruhe GermanyAbstract Decentralized consensus on the state of the Bitcoin blockchain is ensured by proof of work. It relies on digital one‐way functions and is associated with an enormous environmental impact. This paper conceptualizes a physical one‐way function that aims to transform a digital, electricity‐consuming consensus mechanism into a physical process. Boundary conditions for the security requirements are established and discussed as well as experimentally investigated for a specific setup based on printing and optical analysis of pigment‐carrier composites. In the context of the applied methods, this setup promises to be mathematically unclonable, steady, reproducible, collision resistant and non‐invertible and illustrates the feasibility of a physical one‐way function. Based on this, a framework for proof of physical work is conceptualized, which has the potential of a drastically lower CO2 footprint. This work initiates a progressive, interdisciplinary field of research and demands further investigations with regards to alternative setups, security definitions and strategies for challenging them.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202409386cryptographydecentralized consensusphysical one‐way functionproof of work |
| spellingShingle | Marvin Winkler Catharina Peither Simon Petrick Lothar Seidemann Holger Jelich Frank Kleine Jäger Jörn Müller‐Quade Alexander Colsmann Hermann Nirschl Frank Rhein Physical One‐Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical Work Advanced Science cryptography decentralized consensus physical one‐way function proof of work |
| title | Physical One‐Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical Work |
| title_full | Physical One‐Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical Work |
| title_fullStr | Physical One‐Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical Work |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physical One‐Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical Work |
| title_short | Physical One‐Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical Work |
| title_sort | physical one way functions for decentralized consensus via proof of physical work |
| topic | cryptography decentralized consensus physical one‐way function proof of work |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202409386 |
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