14 DAY TRIAL // Normally, when we talk about Gorilla Glass, we end up mentioning smartphones, tablets, laptops and anything else that has a screen and uses Corning's invention to protect against damage.
Now, though, it looks as though Corning has had it with just the consumer electronic market. That is why it has started courting makers of automobiles.
Indeed, we may soon get to see cars whose windshields are made of Corning Gorilla Glass.
Jeffery Evenson, senior vice president of Corning, revealed at MIT Technology Review's Mobile Summit that the first car could show up in just 12 months. At least one high-end car maker will introduce a vehicle.
We have to mention, however, that Evenson didn't specifically mention windshields. He only said that some of the glass used by cars would be replaced with Gorilla Glass.
He also noted that a better resistance against damage was just the tip of the iceberg in terms of benefits.
Gorilla Glass happens to be tougher but also lighter than most alternatives. Using it could reduce car weight, lowering the center of mass.
Fuel economy will receive a boost because of that, and cars will also make less noise. Or at least let less noise reach the interior.
True, it will be a long time before Gorilla Glass cars account for enough of the total vehicles to make a palpable difference in either of those areas, but it's only a matter of time.
With time, Corning's other glass types may find roles in automobile development and construction.
The development-stage “antimicrobial” glass, set to be certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency within the next few months, is one possibility.
The Willow flexible glass could be used as well, although it's debatable whether cars have any use for bendable things. Maybe in-vehicle gadgetry will use it more, if at all. After all, the banknote thinness lends itself more to portable consumer electronics than anything else.