Liquidmetal allows headphone wires to be stretched 8x their original length

By Christian Zibreg on Dec 19, 2012

A lot has been said about Apple’s exclusive multi-year license for Liquidmetal, an amorphous Terminator-like alloy made from zirconium, titanium, nickel, copper and other materials. Liquidmetal is stronger, smoother and more corrosion-resistant than aluminum, but Apple is not expected to deploy it across its products until 2017.

In the meantime, here’s a nice example of how the alloy might pave the way for new industrial designs. What you see in the above clip are conductive wires that can be stretched up to eight times their original length while still functioning, thanks to Liquidmetal that’s twice as strong as Titanium and possesses the processability of plastics… Read More

 

Apple extends deal with Liquidmetal for another two years

By Cody Lee on Jun 19, 2012

Back in 2010, Apple acquired the rights to Liquidmetal Technologies’ amorphous metal alloys. The deal essentially gave the Cupertino company exclusive rights to the material, along with the corresponding patents, through 2012.

Yesterday, it was discovered that Apple has recently elected to extend that agreement another 2 years. According to a new SEC (Security and Exchange Commission) filing, the Mac-makers now own the rights through 2014… Read More

 

Liquidmetal CEO confirms that Apple is commercializing Terminator alloy

By Christian Zibreg on Jun 5, 2012

Liquidmetal Technologies CEO Tom Steipp has officially confirmed that Apple has licensed the metallic glass substance for use in products, going out on a limb to say that Liquidmetal Technologies is supplying the alloy to Cupertino…
Read More

 

“Breakthrough” Liquidmetal Apple gadget at least 5 years away

By Christian Zibreg on May 2, 2012

Apple’s love for new materials and its penchant for innovative manufacturing processes is well documented and evident in shiny products it builds.

Perhaps no other material has gotten the rumor-mill as much excited as metallic glass, better known as Liquidmetal.

Apple owns worldwide and exclusive rights to use this new material in consumer electronics products. And while it has yet to build a Liquidmetal-based gadget, the company did buy the amorphous alloy for a good reason – and I’m not talking about the SIM ejector tool.

One of the creators of this Terminator material has now spoken about Apple’s Liquidmetal plans, explaining how Liquidmetal’s gonna make Apple gadgets even more exclusive and sexier than ever.

Apparently, a “breakthrough product” based on Liquidmetal could be in the works. Before you start jumping for joy, bear in mind it’s gonna take years as plants and the alloy itself simply aren’t mature enough for mass production… Read More

 

This Liquidmetal iPhone 5 concept looks quite believable

By Christian Zibreg on May 1, 2012

As rumors about Apple switching to the all-new metallic glass material for a next-generation iPhone continue to persist, one designer has weighed in with own rendition of what the device might look like, both from the inside and the outside – and it’s quite noteworthy.

As you know, Apple obtained a worldwide exclusive license to use Liquidmetal alloy in consumer electronics products. With previous rumors alleging a complete redesign, a Liquidmetal-based iPhone is certainly a plausible proposition… Read More

 

Rumor: next iPhone will be machined from Liquidmetal and launch at WWDC

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 18, 2012

A new report out of South Korea alleges that Apple will be launching a sixth-generation iPhone at its annual developers conference this summer, likely taking place between June 11-15.

The phone is said to be a complete overhaul of the existing iPhone, with the biggest design feature being the use of the patented Liquidmetal amorphous alloy, presumably for its shell.

As you know, Apple obtained exclusive worldwide rights to use this zirconium-based alloy in consumer electronics products from Liquidmetal Technologies’  in August of 2010.

They already tested the substance with the SIM ejector tool that shipped with the iPhone 3G, but thus far the company did not switch its aluminum-based gadgets to Liquidmetal… Read More

 

Spotted iPhone 5 Prototype With Metal Back Suggests a More Durable Design

By Alex Heath on Mar 18, 2011

A report claims that iPhone 5 prototypes have been spotted at Foxconn, and new intel confirms that the device will have a very similar design to the iPhone 4. Although the form between the two devices will remain similar, there should be two major design changes to set the iPhone 5 apart from its predecessor.

We’ve already heard that there will be a larger display, and a new rumor claims that the iPhone will have a metal back. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Apple ditching the easily-breakable glass of the iPhone 4 for something more durable…

Read More

 

Apple Has Already Tested Their LiquidMetal Alloy

By Guest Author on Aug 18, 2010

More and more is being revealed regarding a story we brought you last week concerning Apple’s new purchase of Liquidmetal Technologies. Ars Technica reports that the futuristic sounding material isn’t so bizarre after all. Remember those hand SIM ejector tools that came with the iPhone 3G? You guessed it, those were composed of the very morphing material that they recently acquired. We should have known that Apple wouldn’t have spent a bunch of cash on an item they hadn’t tried out.

The co-inventor of Liquidmetal’s materials, Atakan Peker, had no doubts about the tool’s composition when he unveiled his very own iPhone 3G. Peker said “I recognized it immediately” and “Take it from an expert, that’s Liquidmetal”. The mind behind the mastery predicts Apple could use the alloy to design a new and improved antenna than the current iPhone 4 sports. The light and rigid material could also be used to make some very creative cases he says, however I don’t see Apple going that route.

I’m just glad that the facts behind Liquidmetal’s abilities are having some light shed on them. Why you ask? I saw today that the company’s stock is trading just under $1 which makes it a potentially lucrative investment. Perhaps there are many exciting plans for the new material and perhaps not. I see the alloy having a behind-the-scenes type use, based on the initial use in the SIM ejector. So now that you have seen it in action, where do you suppose we’ll see it next?