MIT-Developed Glass Breakthrough Could Make Our iDevices Even Better
May 4, 2012
MIT has published research on a new type of glass formulation that's said to be fog-proof, self-cleaning, and glare-free. Naturally, the potential applications for such wonderware are practically limitless, but early anticipation is leaning heavily towards the glass' inclusion in the smartphone and tablet markets.
The discovery, outlined in a paper entitled Nanotextured Silica Surfaces with Robust Superhydrophobicity and Omnidirectional Broadband Supertransmissivity, goes on to explain how the unique, conical nano-structure of the breakthrough material facilitates its desirable behavior. Unfortunately, the included video does little to explain exactly how the glass actually works. (To my eyes, it looks like someone just coated a sheet of glass with good ol' Rain-X.) See for yourself:
At any rate, if this stuff actually does what MIT claims, rights to the technology could yield a fortune for the school and the project's six-person team. Apple would probably pay dearly to make its iPhones and iPads more easily viewable outdoors.