ITO Glass Applications
If you have searched ‘ITO glass applications’ and found this blog, there’s a good chance you are not sure how ITO is being used. Here we look at these applications, some of which may surprise you…
What is ITO?
ITO is the abbreviated version of Indium Tin Oxide. ITO has two notable factors; it is optically transparent, and it is also highly conductive. ITO glass applications are numerous, and as a point of interest, ITO can also be applied to plastics too.
ITO coated glass is produced by applying a thin layer of Indium Tin oxide to a glass substrate, in vacuum enclosed conditions.
ITO Glass Applications
We mentioned numerous applications above, one of the most common uses for ITO coated glass is in touch screen technology. A cell phone, tablet or touch screen enabled laptop most likely utilises ITO glass to register a user’s touch. When a user touches the screen, there is a change in the charge and the device can recognise the location and gesture of the touch. This couldn’t happen without a conductive coating – as ITO is both transparent and conductive, it is the perfect solution.
Other touch screens in operation, more so in a consumer facing role, or in medical and military environments, use a different form of registering touches. These touch screens are more robust and can withstand harsher use and environments but can only register a single touch as opposed to a swipe or other gesture.
The above cell phone method uses a capacitive touch screen. The latter version of touch screens (normally using a plastic screen) involves resistance (in terms of pressure, not voltage). A resistive touch screen will identify downward pressure on a screen to determine location of touch. As an example, If you think about ticket kiosks or even ATMs, these work with a significant pressure applied to the screen.
Another very common application of ITO is within LCD and OLED displays – When you factor in your cell phone and your TV or computer screen, there is a good chance you are using ITO in some way on a daily basis.
ITO coated glass is also used in some very important situations. Low-E smart glass will regulate temperatures internally, reducing costs of either air conditioning or heating – saving up to 30% of costs, it has been estimated. As well as the cost saving, this also has a positive environmental impact.
Sticking with positive environmental impact, ITO is also used to produce solar cells which is obviously a greener energy choice.
Within the medical industry, as well as touch screen devices and instruments, ITO glass is used heavily in electron microscopy, with ITO coated glass slides and coverslips. ITO is also particularly useful for EMF/EMI/EMC/RFI and HF shielding purposes.
Heated windows in planes, trains and automobiles are also both a common and lifesaving application of ITO coated glass. And it doesn’t stop there. ITO coatings have also successfully been used in space exploration, which if of interest you can read more about here.
Diamond Coatings ITO Glass
Diamond Coatings specialise in ITO, anti-reflective and other special optical coatings, and currently offer an extensive range of specialist coated glass products.
If you would like any guidance on our ITO coated glass and any intended application, contact the team to discuss your specifications or find out more about what we provide.
