Corning Introduces Flexible Ultra-Thin Glass, Expects Portables To Adopt It By 2013

Corning, who unveiled its Gorilla Glass 2 at CES 2012 in January as 20% thinner, stronger and scratch resistant than previous version, has just introduced a new flexible ultra-thin glass, and has already sent out samples to makers of cell phones, tablets and televisions around the world, reports Bloomberg. Corning’s glass is already being used in Apple and Samsung’s best-selling portables and now, the company is hoping for its newest invention to be adopted by these portables as early as 2013.

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According to Corning’s CFO James Flaws, the new flexible glass can be wrapped around a device or structure and can be manufactured in a roll similar to how a newsprint is produced.

“We’re hopeful that by 2013, just a short 7 months away, it’ll be available in consumer products,” Flaws said in an interview today in New York. “There’s a revolution coming in new types of displays — displays will be more conformable.”

As electronics screens become sharper, Corning is trying to capture market share from plastics makers and other glass makers. Apple’s retina display for the new iPad tablet, for example, is an indication of the quality device makers are aiming for in smartphones, televisions and other tablets, Flaws said.

Apple is widely rumored to adopt Corning Gorilla Glass 2 for its next-generation iPhone, which is due to be unveiled later this year.

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