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Glass is intelligent. Glass can be the future. Think of the material as a versatile facilitator which can deliver a robust, flexible foundation for the next “big thing” in terms of where connectivity meets health. But what is intelligent glass actually good for?

Glass is intelligent. Glass can be the future. Think of the material as a versatile facilitator which can deliver a robust, flexible foundation for the next “big thing” in terms of where connectivity meets health. But what is intelligent glass actually good for?

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Opportunity Lab

Health check in real time

Everything is connected. Even tomorrow’s health will increasingly rely on data streams. Medically relevant parameters can be analyzed and exchanged no matter how, or when, they were collected. And this is where specialty glass comes in as a clear enabler: It provides the perfect material base for integrating thin-film sensors in the tiniest of spaces in delicate measurement instruments. An additional benefit of speciality glass is that it makes the “health checker” resistant to temperature and mechanical effects, or chemical substances. And it does so with maximum precision and durability.

Everything is connected. Even tomorrow’s health will increasingly rely on data streams. Medically relevant parameters can be analyzed and exchanged no matter how, or when, they were collected. And this is where specialty glass comes in as a clear enabler: It provides the perfect material base for integrating thin-film sensors in the tiniest of spaces in delicate measurement instruments. An additional benefit of speciality glass is that it makes the “health checker” resistant to temperature and mechanical effects, or chemical substances. And it does so with maximum precision and durability.

Lightning fast data highways

The increasing interconnectedness of multiple devices and sensors requires new technologies for the transmission of data. The enormous amounts of data are also supposed to be transported preferably in real time and mobile. But how, considering that the mobile data volumes are already doubling every two years? High frequency applications such as 5G, the new cellular mobile standard, with transmission rates of up to 10 gigabytes per second will permit a hundred times higher bandwidths. Researchers are already working on the next generation of ultra-fast data paths. New types of specialty glass and glass-ceramics play a key role in realizing tomorrow’s antennas, which must be continually smaller and more efficient. Thanks to their homogeneity, mechanical stability and extremely low thermal expansion, they are paving the way for future transmission technologies. Conceivably they are  transparent and electrically conductive coatings, which can also be applied to invisible antennas.

The increasing interconnectedness of multiple devices and sensors requires new technologies for the transmission of data. The enormous amounts of data are also supposed to be transported preferably in real time and mobile. But how, considering that the mobile data volumes are already doubling every two years? High frequency applications such as 5G, the new cellular mobile standard, with transmission rates of up to 10 gigabytes per second will permit a hundred times higher bandwidths. Researchers are already working on the next generation of ultra-fast data paths. New types of specialty glass and glass-ceramics play a key role in realizing tomorrow’s antennas, which must be continually smaller and more efficient. Thanks to their homogeneity, mechanical stability and extremely low thermal expansion, they are paving the way for future transmission technologies. Conceivably they are  transparent and electrically conductive coatings, which can also be applied to invisible antennas.

A “bio” benefit for diagnostics and cosmetics

Hardly any other material is synonymous with purity and cleanliness like glass making it perfectly suited for diagnostics. Biocompatible glass prevents highly sensitive samples from being falsified, playing a crucial role in diagnostics. Due to their optical transparency and chemical stability, glass biochips allow for complex protein analyses. After all, a precise diagnosis is the first step in the overall healing process. The material properties of many types of glass also help them to act as bioactive helpers. They accomplish this by releasing ions and minerals, thus accelerating healing processes in skin rashes for example. When it comes to cosmetics, they are a true anti-aging wonder; they reduce the visibility of wrinkles, have an antioxidant effect and enrich brittle fingernails with valuable minerals.

Hardly any other material is synonymous with purity and cleanliness like glass making it perfectly suited for diagnostics. Biocompatible glass prevents highly sensitive samples from being falsified, playing a crucial role in diagnostics. Due to their optical transparency and chemical stability, glass biochips allow for complex protein analyses. After all, a precise diagnosis is the first step in the overall healing process. The material properties of many types of glass also help them to act as bioactive helpers. They accomplish this by releasing ions and minerals, thus accelerating healing processes in skin rashes for example. When it comes to cosmetics, they are a true anti-aging wonder; they reduce the visibility of wrinkles, have an antioxidant effect and enrich brittle fingernails with valuable minerals.

Ultra-thin for ultra-protection

A display that is bendable, rollable or foldable? With our extremely thin and flexible glass, new technological dimensions can now be considered, which previously were not possible. How about ultra-thin and stable bandages made from glass, which, due to their “bio” properties, help wounds to heal faster, while simultaneously transmitting important health information in real time? Sounds utopian perhaps, but due to the special properties of glass, it could soon be a reality. Glass will soon be providing ultra-thin protection in applications such as foldable smart phones. And it does so with maximum stability and extraordinary aesthetics. Glass gives sensitive electronic components – including OLED displays, sensors, batteries and cameras – the maximum scratchproof, temperature-resistant, waterproof protection, while still leaving creative room for previously unimaginable display options. Even under extreme conditions.

A display that is bendable, rollable or foldable? With our extremely thin and flexible glass, new technological dimensions can now be considered, which previously were not possible. How about ultra-thin and stable bandages made from glass, which, due to their “bio” properties, help wounds to heal faster, while simultaneously transmitting important health information in real time? Sounds utopian perhaps, but due to the special properties of glass, it could soon be a reality. Glass will soon be providing ultra-thin protection in applications such as foldable smart phones. And it does so with maximum stability and extraordinary aesthetics. Glass gives sensitive electronic components – including OLED displays, sensors, batteries and cameras – the maximum scratchproof, temperature-resistant, waterproof protection, while still leaving creative room for previously unimaginable display options. Even under extreme conditions.

Interview with
Dr. Martin Letz on opportunities and perspectives for dielectric glasses and glass-ceramics

What distinguishes glass and glass-ceramics as a dielectric material?

„These transparent materials are equipped with very demanding dielectric properties. In other words, their electrical conductivity is either very poor or not at all. But above all, they have a high material uniformity, which makes an extreme production accuracy possible, which pure ceramics, for example, cannot attain. Due to their thermal stability, they are a better alternative for assorted plastics. Our glass and glass-ceramics come in a variety of assorted compositions. This offers a huge variation in dielectrics, which allows for the optimization of many electronic components or the production of unique electronic components.“>

Which areas of electronics can they be used in?

„Our assorted glass types and glass-ceramics can be implemented in just about any kind of antenna. Due to their high variation in dielectric constants, they can be utilized in 5G, the latest generation of cellular mobile communications, where a significantly greater frequency spectrum for the transmission of large amounts of data has been envisaged. They play a role everywhere where high frequency electronics with high performance and thermal stress properties are miniaturized. In medical technology, glass and glass-ceramics can be utilized in implantable antennas; however, the material must be absolutely non-porous. SCHOTT’s ultra-thin specialty glass can also be deployed in high performance capacitors where high voltage and extreme thermal stress come into play.“

What specific expertise does SCHOTT have in this area?

„Our manufacturing processes are highly precise and our measurement technology is absolutely cutting-edge. It measures with an accuracy of +/-0.01 millimeter. We can even precisely measure minute nonlinearities in materials such as for PIM – or passive intermodulation – which is critical for 5G mobile network applications. Thanks to our lengthy experience, we can also rely on a large network of partner companies and research projects. We work together with prestigious universities such as TU Darmstadt, Sheffield University or Penn State. Naturally, these cooperations bring a benefit to our customers as well.“

Rethinking glass: For all that seems possible and impossible.

Glass offers innovative solutions for numerous ideas and projects. It enjoys having the most versatile properties imaginable, which can be changed and adapted as is required. Thus, there is a high potential for innovation, which can lead to entirely new application areas coming into use. It is what makes glass one of the most versatile materials for the future.

Maximize the innovative potential which glass has to offer.

Material Development
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Designing materials for today’s and tomorrow’s customer needs: optical and technical glass, glass ceramics and special materials e.g. powders, ceramics, sol-gel ....
Melting
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New and optimized processes/technologies: for melting special glass and glass ceramics via lab experiments, test bed facility and modeling.
Hot Forming
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Expert for hot processes after melting: especially forming processes of glass directly from the melt and reshaping of glass by reheating.
Coating Development
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Development of new functionalities for glass and glass ceramics via advanced coating and surface modification which allows glass to be more transparent, harder and scratch resistant.
Laser Processing
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Identification, development and adoption of unique processing technologies: for cutting, structuring, shaping, joining or modifying edges and glass bodies; for filamentation and ablation, laser-induced scribing and cleaving, bending (uniaxial or multiaxial-3D), intrinsic decoration, marking and layer structuring.

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