College of Science Distinguished Speaker: A Journey Towards Unbreakable Glass

College of Science Distinguished Lecture
A Journey Towards Unbreakable Glass

Dr. Timothy Gross
Director of Inorganic Materials & Research Fellow
Corning Research and Development Corporation

Abstract: The demand for scratch-resistant, optically clear cover materials for mobile phones launched a nearly twenty-year effort to develop increasingly damage-resistant glass. This seminar will trace the evolution of Corning’s Gorilla Glass, focusing on the scientific and engineering innovations that have driven continuous improvements in break resistance across multiple generations of products. These advances have culminated in modern cover materials capable of surviving drops from heights greater than two meters onto concrete.Beyond conventional smartphone applications, the fundamental understanding of fracture mechanics and compositional design principles developed through Gorilla Glass research has enabled broader innovations in glass technology. These include the invention of the first highly bendable glasses for foldable phones and the development of compositions with improved resistance to sharp contact damage, opening opportunities in adjacent applications such as automotive windshields. The seminar will conclude with a discussion of emerging glass strengthening approaches, including a low-carbon, low-waste process that uses water vapor rather than molten salt as the strengthening medium. Together, these advances demonstrate how fundamental materials research continues to expand the performance and sustainability of modern glass technologies.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Timothy Gross, Director of Inorganic Materials, is responsible for leading a research and development team focused on building deep technical understanding of inorganic materials to enable invention and optimization of new glasses and ceramics. His Inorganic Materials team balances applied and exploratory efforts to deliver on current business needs and long-term opportunities.
Tim is recognized as an expert in both fracture mechanics and glass formulation.  Tim’s work on mechanics of ion-exchangeable glass has resulted in the invention of six versions of Corning® Gorilla® Glass for mobile device cover windows. His work on bendable glass resulted in the first demonstration of cover glass plates capable of unlimited bending to radii less than 5 mm. Tim invented Fusion5®, an automobile windshield glass specifically designed to be break-proof against rock strikes.  Tim also invented Guardiant® antimicrobial glass-ceramic that kills ≥ 99.9% of bacteria and viruses while maintaining long term efficacy. 
Tim has a Ph.D. in materials engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Master of Science in materials science and engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in ceramic engineering from Alfred University. Tim has 178 granted U.S. patents and 36 peer-reviewed publications. He was recently elected a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society in recognition of his outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service to the field.

Reception to follow in the Gosnell A-level atrium.

To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu

Intended Audience:
All are Welcome!