Imagine iPhone 5 looking as though it is made of a liquid metal, and feels like a liquid to the touch. Imagine a case more than twice as strong as titanium. Imagine no scratches or smudges.
If Apple (AAPL) pulls off such an innovation in iPhone 5, it will be a coup, giving Apple another edge over its competitors. A recent SEC filing provides fresh evidence that Apple seems to be very interested in dealing with a company that makes such “liquid metal.”
A small company named Liquidmetal Technologies (LQMT). The company has developed a series of amorphous metal alloys that are sold under the commercial name Liquidmetal. These alloys were originally developed at California Institute of Technology (CALTECH).
Liquidmetal alloys are made of a mix of titanium, nickel, copper and zirconium, among other metals. These materials feel as smooth as liquid or glass when touched; hence the name Liquidmetal.
These materials offer high tensile strength, excellent resistance to corrosion, and strong resistance to scratches. These materials can be easily cast and molded using heat similar to thermoplastics.
Apple has an exclusive agreement to use Liquidmetal technology in consumer electronics. For background please see Apple iPhone 5 And The Insanity Of Liquidmetal Speculation.
The new evidence that Apple is serious about Liquidmetal is found in the 8-K filed by Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc with SEC on June 18, 2012. Here is the relevant portion from the 8-K:…Read more at Forbes
