We reported on the adoption by touch screen maker Zytronic of Corning’s Antimicrobial Gorilla Glass in our Electronica report and now the company has formally announced it. (Zytronics Wins PCI Approval for Touch). The company told us at Electronica that it is already supplying the glass to Diebold.
Zytronics said that Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass is the first antimicrobial cover glass registered with the U.S. EPA, as a safe and non-toxic material for display cover glass in kiosks, wayfinders, touch tables and other applications. This glass contains an ionic silver component which serves as an agent greatly reducing the ability of bacteria to proliferate, helping to keep the glass clean. Furthermore, Gorilla Glass is tough and scratch resistant, so is unlikely to develop cracks in which bacteria can multiply. The anti-microbial agent does not affect the optical clarity of the glass. For external or unattended touchscreen applications, where added rigidity and impact resistance may be needed, Zytronic can laminate the chemically strengthened Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass cover layer with a thicker, thermally tempered rear glass, to create an incredibly impact resistant ZyTouch sensor.
Analyst Comment
Sensitivity to the issues of bacteria on touch displays are different in the regions of the world. We have heard that Japanese users of touch screens are particularly sensitive to this issue. (BR)
