Overview
The lecture discusses Corning's vision of the future where advanced glass technologies integrate seamlessly into daily life, revolutionizing communication, education, transportation, and home environments.
Vision of a Glass-Integrated Future
- Corning's "A Day Made of Glass" video showcases futuristic uses of specialty glass and companion technologies.
- Glass devices and displays will become as common as smartphones are today.
- Technologies shown include ultra-thin, lightweight, durable, and touch-sensitive glass surfaces.
Smart Homes and Personal Devices
- Tablets encased in durable glass will organize, display, and manage personal information and schedules.
- Electrochromic glass windows change from opaque to transparent on demand.
- Closet doors and walls can be used as interactive display surfaces linked to personal devices.
- Displays automatically adjust content based on proximity and user preferences.
Transportation Innovations
- Car interiors will feature thin, formed, glass dashboards that display critical driving information and can be customized.
- Vehicle glass and sunroofs will be made from lightweight materials, improving fuel efficiency and emissions.
- Automotive electrochromic glass and displays are technically feasible but require further cost-effective manufacturing advances.
Renewable Energy and Sustainability
- Rooftops will be covered in efficient, aesthetically pleasing solar cells made from glass.
- Future buildings, including schools, could generate excess energy and provide it to the grid.
Educational Environments
- Classrooms will use large-scale, seamless, durable glass displays for interactive learning.
- Desks and walls can serve as personal and group touch-sensitive displays linked to student devices.
- Community activity tables with interactive surfaces already exist in early forms and will become more prevalent.
Workplace and Medical Applications
- Office environments will utilize all-glass rooms with walls that transform into video conferencing displays.
- Glass surfaces are ideal for sterile settings due to non-porous and easy-clean properties.
- Antimicrobial glass technology is being developed to inhibit microorganism growth.
Data, Connectivity, and Cloud
- Glass optical fiber will support increased bandwidth needs for high-definition video and data transfer.
- Seamless media sharing and cloud storage will be commonplace, enabled by robust connectivity.
Augmented Reality and Public Spaces
- Glass information walls will provide dynamic, interactive, transparent signage in public places.
- Tablets with 3D cameras and advanced processors will enhance real-world environments with augmented content.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Electrochromic glass — glass that changes transparency with electrical input.
- Edgo Edge Display — large, edge-to-edge interactive glass display surfaces.
- Photovoltaic cells — solar cells that convert light to electricity.
- Antimicrobial glass — glass designed to prevent microorganism growth.
- Optical fiber — glass fibers transmitting data as light for high-speed connectivity.
- Augmented reality — technology overlaying digital information onto the real world.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Corning's "A Day Made of Glass" video for visual understanding.
- Explore examples of current interactive glass and touch-surface technologies.
- Consider how future advancements in glass could impact your daily environment.