A glass technology first developed in 1962 has found a rebirth for use in high-definition TVs, touchscreen tablets and phones, along with additional consumer gadgets. Corning Incorporated first used the patented glass in the automotive and aviation industries in the early 1960s, but wide-scale use quickly died down in favor of alternative glass options.
Corning hopes its glass will be popular among manufacturers looking to release more durable TVs, as the glass is harder to break, scratch and damage. The new glass can give manufacturers a way to develop TVs that are frameless and much more visually appealing to look at than the current framed HDTV models.
The Gorilla glass is stronger than regular glass used in TVs even after it has been chemically strengthened -- and has seen expanded use over the past couple of years from some Asian manufacturers.
The Corning Gorilla glass first made a reappearance by attracting new customers in 2008, with continued success since then. Based from strong glass called Chemcor, Gorilla glass can be used in smartphones, tablets, and a wide variety of different popular products. The Gorilla glass is now implemented in 100 different products from 19 companies, and can be used in even more products down the road.
Corning could begin including Gorilla glass in HDTV products starting in early 2011, but nothing has been confirmed. The company's Shiuzoka, Japan, facility is preparing for a larger number of orders from Asian manufacturers seeking the break resistant technology.
Corning wants to see sales top $200 million in 2010, with a bold prediction of $1 billion sales by 2011.
I'm not sure if I necessarily need to buy a TV specifically because it uses Gorilla glass -- especially if the retail price has to be increased -- but it's an interesting concept. Manufacturers and content providers expect families to spend more time in front of the TV, so preventing the possibility of damaged screens could become important, especially with the increased popularity of motion controllers and other gadgets that could accidentally be thrown at HDTV's.
