Premium mobile phones often rely on several options to protect its screens. Mineral glass, shatter-proof coatings, Gorilla Glass, and sapphire have been used on occasion.
Most of the above-mentioned materials can actually withstand the usual accidental abuse smartphones go through during its lifetime. In the meantime, for the sake of innovation, manufacturers strive to come up with something even better. As of now, lab-grown sapphire is the go-to choice when it comes to scratch resistance, but its brittleness is its biggest caveat.
A company plans to mass produce diamond screen panels for mobile phones by 2019.
Establishing A New Standard
Akhan Semiconductors, a company that works with lab-grown gemstones as replacement semiconductors. As of now, the technology being used to create the new panels is reportedly called Mirage Diamond Glass.
Adam Khan, the company CEO, boasts that the synthetic material produced by the group is by far harder and stronger than anything commercially available right now. Based on scientific data, diamonds are indeed rated as one of the most durable materials on Earth.
Smartphone Application
Just like synthetic sapphire and other chemically strengthened glass panels, Mirage Diamond Glass technology will greatly benefit not only smartphones. Other devices that carry a touchscreen like tablets, smartwatches, and more will be more rugged in the future.
The company has reportedly tested the new material and confirmed that it is quite responsive with no lag when it comes to electronic signals. Moreover, the reflection rate is also being considered to reduce the need for more brightness.
As it currently stands, the manufacturing process can apply a coating of Mirage Diamond Glass on existing panels like Corning's Gorilla Glass and others.
According to reports, the group initially intended to have the product hit markets in 2017. However, further testing was required, which resulted to delay, which is now estimated to be next year.
Partner Companies
Khan confirmed that Mirage Diamond Glass is being actively tested with several companies and their products. It is speculated that major electronics manufacturers are interested in a possible replacement for currently popular options like chemically strengthened glass.
As the name implies, diamonds are not exactly cheap. Even synthetic ones are costly and usually see an industrial application on several abrasive tools used for polishing, grinding, and cutting.
Consumers can most likely expect to pay a premium price for smartphones once diamond-covered panels come out in 2019. Analysts predict that early adopters would probably equip flagship models as a starting point, which will then trickle down to mid-range variants as the costs become more commercially feasible.
