Short answer – Yes.
Wait… You want the long answer too? Oh ok, let’s get to it…
How do you make glass electrically conductive?
Glass on its own is not a great conductor and is temperature dependent for any form of conductivity. To make glass conductive, you need to add something a little bit special. In our case, this would be ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) as it is both transparent (useful for glass applications) and is highly conductive.
By applying a coating to glass, the surface is ‘wired up’ and ready to conduct electricity. Our ITO glass substrate production process consists of coating a thin, uniform layer of Indium Tin Oxide over glass. It is a very delicate process and is carried out in tightly controlled vacuum-based conditions. Due to its reliability, we use the Magnetron Sputtering Method to coat the glass with ITO.
Why do you need a conductive glass coating?
Conductive glass is all around us and is used on a daily basis by the majority of us, in some capacity. If you have used a touchscreen today there’s a good chance that it was had an ITO coating which allowed touch commands.
Conductive glass is used in many different industries, especially research and development. Conductive microscope slides are effective in electron microscopy and removes the need for the specimen to be charged.
One interesting area where ITO coated glass is used is in solar power. ITO coated glass is the perfect solution for optimum conductivity in solar cells and other devices. A functional solar cell requires conductive glass slides for efficient and optimum conductivity.
Other uses of ITO coated glass would include smart windows, heated windows and even cinema projection glass.
Where can you get conductive glass?
We are a global leader in producing and supplying ITO coatings on various substrates, including glass.
We have worked with companies throughout the UK, Europe and even further afield (even in Space! Read how we worked with The European Space Agency and NASA here) offering an unparalleled service, winning awards along the way.
If you would like to talk to us about conductive glass and any specific requirements you may have, please make contact with us today.
