Gorilla Glass Takes on the Tough Jobs in Tech

When we think of sweaty gaffers toiling at the glory hole around here, we think of pure animal strength. Now Corning has put some of their high tech knowledge to use in creating a durable fused layered glass for tech applications called "Gorilla Glass."

It's Manufactured using "Corning’s proprietary fusion process" says the website. We imagine this to mean it's a layered glass like the strengthening process that makes bulletproof glass. Isn't it great to know a Gorilla couldn't hurt your cell phone? Especially since we leave it out where little hands can get to it.

Or we drop it off our laps as we exit the car onto the asphalt. Ouch. That used to mean a totaled screen. I know I destroyed my first i-pod this way.

The surface of Corning's "Gorilla Glass" has the same surface quality as all of Corning’s high-technology display substrates. A substrate is a layer that underlies something. Makes sense.

Gorilla Glass is RF compatible, and has the optical clarity that makes it ideal for HD and 3-D television screens.

Mr. Rodgers and Koko image courtesy of the Feefee the RN's Blog. The Gorrilla watching the laptop is from Fast Company's (one of my favorite magazines) website.

From the Kiln today

Doesn't this look like some modern architecture? Like a stadium? Actually it's our own formula glass murrini fused in a wok! The base is a section of a blown piece. Nice. It is easy to see the fluid motion of the molten glass when the canes are not fused entirely flat. I think it leaves some life in the glass.

Stadium Murrini

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle at Nourot Studio

Reduce ,reuse and recycle: we're all for that at Nourot Studio. We make use of cullet and scraps from failed pieces in new works that are "Low Energy".
Instead of the 8 hours it takes to melt 200 lb pots of molten glass, the idea behind the new series by Micheal Nourot is "use what you've got."
These works are 14 to 20 inches across and are formed over a clay mold in a small lehr that briefly goes to 1600degrees F.
The electricity that is run along the "elements" inside the walls of the kiln fuses the parts. The dishes, bowls and platters from the "Low Energy " Series Micheal Nourot has made so far resemble the river bottoms of a western mountain stream. Uneven in texture and varied in shape, these glass works are like a crazy quilt of ragged forms.
Depending on which side of the form meets the mold there is a smoothness of the glass together with the gloriously rich colors of the glass invoke a rugged and sophisticated aesthetic simultaneously. And they use close to no energy compared to the firing of hundred pound batches!

A Bit More About Low Energy Glass

Just a bit more about making 'Low energy" glass this summer.
Micheal Nourot is creating glass art fused from the scraps and bits of discarded glass from the over 30 years of glassmaking at his studio in Benicia, California.
Located along the Carquinez Straight about 45 miles north of San Francisco the Nourot Studio has been glass maker to Popes, Presidents and major corporations for years.
"Looking for ways to go green is a challenge in the glass arts," admits Mr. Nourot," We have found a way to put our cast offs to use and challenge ourselves in a new direction."
The platters and bowls made of these shards and chips of wonderfully colored glasses will be on display at the studio's 34th Anniversary Party and Vault Opening Saturday 20th September; from 1--6PM. Certain collectors will participate in an open apprentice call as well during the day's events. The day's events are open to the public, but the apprentice event is by invitation only. For more information call: 707-745-1463