In 2010, Apple invested in Liquidmetal Technologies 20, $ 6 million. Based on the published details of the contract with the manufacturer of the iPhone and iPad, the latter gained access to the technology of "liquid metal" until February 2015. However, the benefits of teamwork companies are still not visible.
Innovative material LiquidMetal different unusual properties - with less weight it is almost 2.5 times higher than the best strength titanium alloys, and 2-3 times faster than in deformation resistance of traditional metals. Furthermore, the material is highly resistant to corrosion and also has high thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity. Of this alloy Apple has release bracket to extract SIM-card iPhone.
LiquidMetal combines the advantages of metal, glass, plastic: it is durable, resistant to scratches and corrosion, and can take complex forms. Products created from a similar alloy, very durable, regardless of the shape them less susceptible to the usual "fatigue" and weigh lighter. This means that Apple will be able to develop a more lightweight and compact smartphones, tablets and laptops, which in this case will surpass in strength analogues competitors.
After the presentation, "apple" novelties September 9 Liquidmetal shares fell 26%, which was the biggest fall in the value of securities in the past 14 months. This decline is due to the fact that Apple has not announced about using "liquid metal" any new smartphone iPhone 6 or hours Apple Watch.
Apple has patented a number of developments on the basis of Liquidmetal, but so far they have not found commercial application. "Liquid metal" is well suited for use in moving elements, such as buttons and switches in mobile devices.
The emergence of innovative material in hours Apple and other similar devices can not take place because of the exclusive license agreement between Liquidmetal and Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group. Last began to use "liquid metal" in their products, and can not prevent the use of this technology in competing products without prior agreement, involving the payment of royalties.