They wanna patent using ceramics enclosing electronics? How bizarre it would be to get granted such a patent. It sounds like patent using wood for building a house. It's too general. Or is it only this Zirconia? (sounds like a video game term).
I would tend to agree with this. If the patent contains methods for producing Zirconia enclosures that is somehow useful and unique, then it's indeed patent-worthy. Otherwise, this patent isn't going to be easy to pass, particularly with the fact that the supreme court is now reviewing patent legislation: particularly, the degree of uniqueness that is requisite to grant a patent.
I don't get it. As Apple itself noted, ceramics are fairly brittle, so they need protective coatings or bumpers in the structural applications Apple envisions. They may be stiffer than plastic, which is also radio transparent, but also a heck of a lot more expensive.
And before anybody gets all excited about a blingy new iPod, that would take cubic zirconia, the crystalline version that they use in jewelry. Apple's talking about the ceramic substance.
Cermacis are used in very expensive watch cases, and bands, as well as many scientific equipment.
Actually, ceramics are not what most people think they are. Sure most people have broken cups, and stoneware dishes. But there are many ceramics that are almost break-proof.
Are you aware that the turbine impellers used in most US millitary fighter jets are grown from advanced "super metals, and ceramics?
Many ceramics are even flexable, bending almost as much as plastic.
Ceramics may be brittle, but they're usually damned hard. Coors makes ceramic HAMMERS in their porcelain business (which they started because their beer vats are lined with porcelain, or so I'm told.)
As I've said, ceramics are not always brittle, it depends on what they are.
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That said...ceramics have another serious problem which puts this story in a little doubt (not that the patent filing exists, but that it amounts to anything.) Ceramics have virtually NO tensile strength. This is why concrete often cracks when used as a structural material, and why "re-bar" (steel rod) is used in it. Counterintuitively, it is torsion (twisting) that causes the cracking, because torsion has an element of compression and an element of tension. Ceramics have extremely high compression strength (hence, roads are made of them) but extremely low tensile strength (hence the ground moves underneath concrete roads and they crack--even though they have re-bar, which really just keeps them from flexing under the load of traffic.)
Wrong again. Concrete is NOT a ceramic. A ceramic is very different, look it up! And, if necessary, ceramics can be reinforced with many kinds of materials.
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As an experiment, twist a piece of chalk until it breaks. Instead of breaking in a plane parallel to the force applied, you'll see that a ceramic breaks at 45 degrees. This is because the failure is caused by internal tension forces, whereas the compression forces are resisted. Other materials fail in different ways.
Why are you saying this? Chalk is not ceramic either, and a very bad example.
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If they tried to construct an iPod out of an entirely ceramic case, and you forgot it in your pocket and sat on it--you'd probably destroy it. You do that with the current iPod, it might not be pretty afterward, but it probably wouldn't be destroyed (the screen--made of ceramics, of course--would likely fail if it got the brunt of the force.)
IF anyone wanted to use ceramics as structural materials, they'd have to put some kind of a mesh (maybe like a fiberglass matrix) in it. A metal mesh--of course--would defeat the purpose of the material choice. Naturally, it wouldn't then be classified as ceramic--it would be classified as a composite. Speaking of composites--there are MANY, MANY composite structural materials--the most popular one is probably resin-impregnated fiberglass, but there are many others.
Boy am I glad I finally found a good application of the YEAR of materials science classes they made me take in engineering school!
Your degree is worth nothing, if you have one, because you don't know even the slightest thing about modern ceramics. Nothing you've said here is correct.
As I've said, ceramics are not always brittle, it depends on what they are.
Wrong again. Concrete is NOT a ceramic. A ceramic is very different, look it up! And, if necessary, ceramics can be reinforced with many kinds of materials.
Why are you saying this? Chalk is not ceramic either, and a very bad example.
Your degree is worth nothing, if you have one, because you don't know even the slightest thing about modern ceramics. Nothing you've said here is correct.
Apple added that zirconia casing can be applied to a handheld computing device, cell phone, or iPod digital music player, and could come in a variety of colors including white, black, navy blue, ivory, brown, dark blue, light blue, platinum, and gold.
people this is HUGE
imagine all the lovely ladies who will want these new electronic/jewllery devices
I think patent apps just automatically become public information, at least after a short period after the app is filed.
Granted patents are open for the public to read, with no time limit. IBM had a patent search engine, I think they spun it off, I forget what it is called now. One could search a few decade's worth of patents.
I don't understand why so many in the blogosphere are claiming this is iPhone proof. Couldn't it just as easily be proof of an iPod with wireless capabilities for syncing, downloading, and maybe even sharing like the Zune?
Your degree is worth nothing, if you have one, because you don't know even the slightest thing about modern ceramics. Nothing you've said here is correct.
You're obviously an idiot troll. How many materials science courses have you taken? So-called "flexible" ceramics are a recent discovery, and are not PURE ceramics. They're composites--as I stated. Look at fiberglass. To a great extent, it's very flexible. Composites can be. Stop being a child.
Yes, but in the color description the colors mentioned started with the word "including". I don't see a reason why red won't work. The doping methods used for ceramics are similat to the coloring of glass. Selemium makes glass red, as does gold. There are combinations that will come up with a red, though not as good.
You're obviously an idiot troll. How many materials science courses have you taken? So-called "flexible" ceramics are a recent discovery, and are not PURE ceramics. They're composites--as I stated. Look at fiberglass. To a great extent, it's very flexible. Composites can be. Stop being a child.
It's your post that spewed nonsense. And, yes, I am familiar with materials science. But, one doesn't have to be familiar with it to know that your post was simply erronious in every way.
Flexible cramics have only been around a few years, true, so what? They have already been used.
I said that ceramics can be reinforced, and they are, with whiskers of metal crystals and other materials, if required.
I don't know why you would mention fiberglass. It's far from how a flexable ceramic is made.
Don't post misleading, and incorrect information, and you won't have a problem.
If it's not me, it will be pointed out by someone here with even less restraint.
Comments
They wanna patent using ceramics enclosing electronics? How bizarre it would be to get granted such a patent. It sounds like patent using wood for building a house. It's too general. Or is it only this Zirconia? (sounds like a video game term).
I would tend to agree with this. If the patent contains methods for producing Zirconia enclosures that is somehow useful and unique, then it's indeed patent-worthy. Otherwise, this patent isn't going to be easy to pass, particularly with the fact that the supreme court is now reviewing patent legislation: particularly, the degree of uniqueness that is requisite to grant a patent.
I don't get it. As Apple itself noted, ceramics are fairly brittle, so they need protective coatings or bumpers in the structural applications Apple envisions. They may be stiffer than plastic, which is also radio transparent, but also a heck of a lot more expensive.
And before anybody gets all excited about a blingy new iPod, that would take cubic zirconia, the crystalline version that they use in jewelry. Apple's talking about the ceramic substance.
Cermacis are used in very expensive watch cases, and bands, as well as many scientific equipment.
Actually, ceramics are not what most people think they are. Sure most people have broken cups, and stoneware dishes. But there are many ceramics that are almost break-proof.
Are you aware that the turbine impellers used in most US millitary fighter jets are grown from advanced "super metals, and ceramics?
Many ceramics are even flexable, bending almost as much as plastic.
They are expensive though.
I think patent apps just automatically become public information, at least after a short period after the app is filed.
That's a requirement after a "parking" period.
Steve Jobs once held an opponent's wife's hand... in a jar of acid... at a party.
BOOM!
Ceramics may be brittle, but they're usually damned hard. Coors makes ceramic HAMMERS in their porcelain business (which they started because their beer vats are lined with porcelain, or so I'm told.)
As I've said, ceramics are not always brittle, it depends on what they are.
That said...ceramics have another serious problem which puts this story in a little doubt (not that the patent filing exists, but that it amounts to anything.) Ceramics have virtually NO tensile strength. This is why concrete often cracks when used as a structural material, and why "re-bar" (steel rod) is used in it. Counterintuitively, it is torsion (twisting) that causes the cracking, because torsion has an element of compression and an element of tension. Ceramics have extremely high compression strength (hence, roads are made of them) but extremely low tensile strength (hence the ground moves underneath concrete roads and they crack--even though they have re-bar, which really just keeps them from flexing under the load of traffic.)
Wrong again. Concrete is NOT a ceramic. A ceramic is very different, look it up! And, if necessary, ceramics can be reinforced with many kinds of materials.
As an experiment, twist a piece of chalk until it breaks. Instead of breaking in a plane parallel to the force applied, you'll see that a ceramic breaks at 45 degrees. This is because the failure is caused by internal tension forces, whereas the compression forces are resisted. Other materials fail in different ways.
Why are you saying this? Chalk is not ceramic either, and a very bad example.
If they tried to construct an iPod out of an entirely ceramic case, and you forgot it in your pocket and sat on it--you'd probably destroy it. You do that with the current iPod, it might not be pretty afterward, but it probably wouldn't be destroyed (the screen--made of ceramics, of course--would likely fail if it got the brunt of the force.)
IF anyone wanted to use ceramics as structural materials, they'd have to put some kind of a mesh (maybe like a fiberglass matrix) in it. A metal mesh--of course--would defeat the purpose of the material choice. Naturally, it wouldn't then be classified as ceramic--it would be classified as a composite. Speaking of composites--there are MANY, MANY composite structural materials--the most popular one is probably resin-impregnated fiberglass, but there are many others.
Boy am I glad I finally found a good application of the YEAR of materials science classes they made me take in engineering school!
Your degree is worth nothing, if you have one, because you don't know even the slightest thing about modern ceramics. Nothing you've said here is correct.
But MS did a poor job all around with the Zune, though.
Nalgene?
They make mostly plastic , but they also make glass and ceramic labware.
He once karate chopped someone in the middle of a board meeting for dramatic effect.
As I've said, ceramics are not always brittle, it depends on what they are.
Wrong again. Concrete is NOT a ceramic. A ceramic is very different, look it up! And, if necessary, ceramics can be reinforced with many kinds of materials.
Why are you saying this? Chalk is not ceramic either, and a very bad example.
Your degree is worth nothing, if you have one, because you don't know even the slightest thing about modern ceramics. Nothing you've said here is correct.
Snap!
Apple added that zirconia casing can be applied to a handheld computing device, cell phone, or iPod digital music player, and could come in a variety of colors including white, black, navy blue, ivory, brown, dark blue, light blue, platinum, and gold.
people this is HUGE
imagine all the lovely ladies who will want these new electronic/jewllery devices
"look at my new pink diamond iPhone"
I think patent apps just automatically become public information, at least after a short period after the app is filed.
Granted patents are open for the public to read, with no time limit. IBM had a patent search engine, I think they spun it off, I forget what it is called now. One could search a few decade's worth of patents.
people this is HUGE
imagine all the lovely ladies who will want these new electronic/jewllery devices
"look at my new pink diamond iPhone"
I see pink nowhere mentioned :{
I see pink nowhere mentioned :{
Pink is just a light red.
Pink is just a light red.
red wasn't mentioned either.
Your degree is worth nothing, if you have one, because you don't know even the slightest thing about modern ceramics. Nothing you've said here is correct.
You're obviously an idiot troll. How many materials science courses have you taken? So-called "flexible" ceramics are a recent discovery, and are not PURE ceramics. They're composites--as I stated. Look at fiberglass. To a great extent, it's very flexible. Composites can be. Stop being a child.
red wasn't mentioned either.
Yes, but in the color description the colors mentioned started with the word "including". I don't see a reason why red won't work. The doping methods used for ceramics are similat to the coloring of glass. Selemium makes glass red, as does gold. There are combinations that will come up with a red, though not as good.
Pink is just a light red.
And you're an idiot troll.
You're obviously an idiot troll. How many materials science courses have you taken? So-called "flexible" ceramics are a recent discovery, and are not PURE ceramics. They're composites--as I stated. Look at fiberglass. To a great extent, it's very flexible. Composites can be. Stop being a child.
It's your post that spewed nonsense. And, yes, I am familiar with materials science. But, one doesn't have to be familiar with it to know that your post was simply erronious in every way.
Flexible cramics have only been around a few years, true, so what? They have already been used.
I said that ceramics can be reinforced, and they are, with whiskers of metal crystals and other materials, if required.
I don't know why you would mention fiberglass. It's far from how a flexable ceramic is made.
Don't post misleading, and incorrect information, and you won't have a problem.
If it's not me, it will be pointed out by someone here with even less restraint.