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Let the future evolve in your hands

Smartphones have become our constant companions. In our increasingly dynamic daily lives, we allow them to set the pace to get things done. At the same time, we expect them to flexibly conform to our needs. And that’s not meant to be some image we are painting: the day is soon to come when smart phones will transform into a wearable around the wrist – made possible by ultra-thin glass.

Smartphones have become our constant companions. In our increasingly dynamic daily lives, we allow them to set the pace to get things done. At the same time, we expect them to flexibly conform to our needs. And that’s not meant to be some image we are painting: the day is soon to come when smart phones will transform into a wearable around the wrist – made possible by ultra-thin glass.

Challenge

Ultra-thin, ultra-sensitive, ultra-unique

How can you wrap a smartphone around your wrist? How can you do it without compromising the display, camera, chip or battery?

How can you wrap a smartphone around your wrist? How can you do it without compromising the display, camera, chip or battery?

The answer to this technological innovation is ultra-thin glass from SCHOTT. It is as thin as a strand of human hair yet extremely stable and very stylish. It is indeed the ideal solution for covering bendable displays. It is also suitable as a carrier or separation material for a smartphone’s electronic components. After all, ultra-thin glass not only has to be reliably bendable, but it also has to be much thinner than it currently is…and of course more efficient!

And ultra-thin glass can do so much more. For this very reason it was honored with the German Industry Innovation Award 2016.

With your security
in mind

Your smartphone knows you inside out. You trust this technology so much that you store within the most vital data about yourself. To ensure your information is protected, manufacturers have begun implementing fingerprint sensors as part of an ID check. Ultra-thin glass helps make your unique print easier to recognize.

People

“Smartphones will not only continue to get thinner;
at the same time, they will also become more robust.”
Dr. Rüdiger Sprengard, Director New Business, SCHOTT Advanced Optics

Material for true innovations

How ultra-thin glass enables new applications

How ultra-thin glass enables new applications

Innovation

razor-thin glass with 50 micrometers

Supreme, razor-thin glass

This thin sheet of glass can be further processed for a variety uses.

It is thinner than sapphire or silicone.

This thin sheet of glass can be further processed for a variety uses.

It is thinner than sapphire or silicone.

Flexible and dependable

Unbreakable even with the smallest of radii
Flexibility that’s been proven over and over again

Unbreakable even with the smallest of radii
Flexibility that’s been proven over and over again

Tough, ultra-thin glass is scratch-resistant and bendable with a radius of just a few millimeters, showing no signs of fatigue. In addition, it has excellent barrier properties and provides protection from environmental elements.

The future in motion

How ultra-thin glass is made

How ultra-thin glass is made

As experts in specialty glass, SCHOTT has developed a unique process for the manufacturing of ultra-thin glass: “Down-Draw” technology. SCHOTT currently offers four types of glass with different properties and has a fifth one in the works.

Next

More flexibility for innovative device options

innovative Geräteoptionen
Finger print sensor Finger print sensor

Finger print sensor –
Thanks to ultra-thin glass, the sensor can recognize your finger print very reliably. This means that personal data is protected much better.

Micro-batteries Micro-batteries

Micro-batteries –
As a substrate material, ultra-thin glass is relevant for their performance and allows for the capacity to be raised

Camera module Camera module

Camera module –
Ultra-thin glass is used as cover of the camera module, as substrate for innovative autofocus systems; as Infra-Red filter and it is used for wafer level packaging of the camera image sensor.

Antenna Antenna

Antenna –
Ultra-thin glass with high frequency properties is needed for fast mobile communication antennas.

Bio-sensors Bio-sensors

Bio-sensors –
Micro-sensors can be used for microfluidics analysis, such as blood diagnostics. Here, laser-structured ultra-thin glass comes into play.

IC-Packaging IC-Packaging

IC-Packaging –
Ultra-thin glass is a key element for the semiconductor industry. It enables thinner and faster microchips with highest data transfer rates.

Bendable / Foldable cover Bendable / Foldable cover

Bendable / Foldable cover –
Ultra-thin glass is particularly bendable and enables new form factor smartphones and wearables. Even flexible and foldable covers could be imagined.

OLED display OLED display

OLED display –
Ultra-thin glass protects oxygen and moisture sensitive display materials from harmful environmental influences.

MEMS MEMS

MEMS –
Part of positioning sensors (GPS) and environmental sensors, i.e. for measuring temperature and air quality

For the microelectronics of tomorrow

We have not even begun to exhaust the potential uses of ultra-thin glass in innovative applications, just like the Internet of Things. Glass-based batteries ensure that the tiniest of devices and sensors can be connected to one another without needing a central power supply. In fact, SCHOTT is already partnering with industry experts and researchers on making this energy storage system a reality. We want to help you realize technological developments that are extraordinary.

Let’s shape the future together!

What’s your next
milestone?

Contact

Dr. Mathias Mydlak
Thin Glass & Wafer
SCHOTT AG

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