Corning recently announced Project Phire. The company revealed that it is in works of new technology that will combine the drop resistance offered by Gorilla Glass along with the incredible scratch resistance of sapphire.
Despite sapphire's scratch and abrasion resistance, the material easily breaks which makes it prone to breakage especially when dropped. Corning's aim is to develop a new composite that will incorporate Gorilla Glass' drop resistance along with the gemstones scratch resistance.
Corning's Gorilla Glass is used in most high-end smartphones. However, the company lost one of its biggest clients when Apple decided to transition into sapphire displays. After facing a series of problem due to breakage, Apple decided to turn back in using Gorilla Glass, according to CNET.
During Apple's transition, it worked along with GT Advanced Technology to incorporate sapphire displays to Apple products. The two companies have even worked in constructing a sapphire production plant in Arizona. However, the tie-up did not work out and Apple decided to reintegrate its products back to the Gorilla Glass display.
The two companies ended the enterprise last fall and caused GT Advance to file bankruptcy later.
Reports coming from sources close to Corning revealed that the new product will be released later this year, according to PC World. Despite experiencing various setbacks the company remains positive in its project in order to provide a better product for end users.
Corning did not offer to comment on the projects current status. Additional reports however claim that the new product will be offered only to mid-range and high-end Apple products like the Apple Watch.