A Washington, DC resident, Neil Alpert has served in various roles at different institutions and has also been part of a team that has filed and received several patents in the technology space. One such patent was for a system and method for providing a tangible medium with electromagnetic security markers.

Security marker technology uses small tags that emit signals to electronic sensors when an item is being stolen. They're commonly employed in retail stores and other secure areas to deter theft and prevent losses. These tamper-resistant tags can trigger an alarm at the exit if not deactivated correctly.

Electronic article surveillance (EAS) is a commonly used security marker in retail stores to prevent theft. These tags work by connecting with an antenna at the store's entrance. If the tag moves too close to the antenna, it triggers an alarm, alerting staff to potential theft.

EAS tags come in two types: radio frequency (RF) and acousto-magnetic (AM). RF tags use radio frequency technology and have tiny circuits that resonate between 7.4 to 8.8 MHz, making them suitable for various items such as clothes, food, or pharmacy products. 

Meanwhile, AM tags operate at 58kHz and are commonly used in hardware and department stores. They provide more flexibility for antenna installation than RF tags and work better in certain situations.

Sensitive documents, such as passports, credit cards, and driver's licenses, are often protected with security markers incorporating an ultraviolet (UV) watermark. This technology prevents counterfeiting effectively because the watermark is only visible under a UV-emitting light source. Similarly, banknotes of various countries use UV watermarking to deter counterfeiting.