Apple has been granted a patent for a production process to help stabilize phone screens through a unique alloy called LiquidMetal.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company maintains exclusive rights to the exotic metal, which has a quality similar to molten plastic, for the next year, Digital Trends reported. While the material has been used for a few things, including a SIM card ejector, some military equipment and medical devices, LiquidMetal hasn't yet been a component for mass-production smartphones and tablets.
As described in the Apple patent, the company plans to use the bulk amorphous alloy to help stabilize the iPhone's sapphire glass display, keeping the phone's screen from shattering or popping off if it's dropped. In the molding process, sapphire glass could be formed directly on a smartphone or tablet's metal bezel.
Apple has been using a plastic chassis and a rubberized gasket to protect iPhone screen displays since 2007. For the new process, LiquidMetal will allow phone production to skip these components and "ensure the strongest bond and protection between the glass display and metal chassis," Digital Trends reported.
LiquidMetal likely won't be used for the new iPhone 6, which is expected later this year, but the next iPhone will likely have a sapphire glass display, according to Digital Trends. Once the two innovative components come together in production, an iPhone could theoretically be dropped on the floor without its screen breaking.
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