ITO Technology – What is it used for?
ITO in technology… where do you start? (Its uses are vast). Well, when you consider this website address, let’s start there, with touch enabled devices, such as your cellphone or tablet – there’s a really good chance the touch aspect uses ITO to register the location and gesture of your touch. There are some pretty amazing other uses of ITO technology, which we explore later…
What is ITO?
ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is a mixture of Indium Oxide (In2O3) and Tin Oxide (SnO2), typically 90% and 10% respectively by weight. What makes ITO rather unique is that it is both optically clear and also electrically conductive.
Depositing ITO onto a glass or plastic substrate is relatively easy to accomplish on an industrial level. Because of its conductivity and optical transparency, it has become one of the most used transparent conducting oxides around the world.
So what is ITO used for?
We have mentioned touch screens already yet there are other applications utilising ITO Technology. A good example where you can see the obvious factors of ITO in-play are heated windows. These are used in all kinds of environments, including aviation and space exploration. By applying a charge to glass or a thin PET film, the electricity provides heat which will de-mist windows, even at high altitudes and in unforgiving environments.
This same technology is being applied to supermarket freezer doors. An ITO coated glass door does not mist up once opened, allowing all the produce to be easily viewed, all the time.
ITO is especially useful for electron microscopy. An ITO glass slide can be used to view a specimen, with the charge running through the slide rather than the specimen itself. ITO coverslips are also used in this same area.
Large format displays will also utilise ITO in the form of a thin PET film to provide larger touch screens and impressive retail signage. ITO coated glass is also used in the production of OLED screens and cinema projection glass.
Indium Tin Oxide is used within photovoltaics in solar cells, helping to create a cleaner energy source. ITO technology is also in place within smart windows – these low-e energy efficient windows will monitor and regulate temperatures, taking away the need for additional heating or air conditioning. This not only uses less energy, but it has a cost saving benefit too.
The military industry benefits from ITO coatings in various applications including command consoles and precision instruments used in the field. The medical industry also utilise ITO within a large number of devices, especially those that require a touch panel and / or EMI/RFI shielding.
ITO plastic is used in many of the same applications as mentioned above but is able to offer a thinner, lighter and in some cases tougher option. Used in most industries, including retail, medical and military, ITO plastic is now heavily utilised around the world.
Applications include Flexible Printed Circuits, Liquid Crystal Displays & Medical Sensors. Membrane Switches, Position Sensors, Electroluminescent (EL) Lamps, Electrophoretic Displays & EMI/RFI Shielding.
Do you need more information?
If you have any further questions on ITO and its multiple applications, we will be happy to assist you. If you have a specific ITO requirement, a member of our technical team will respond as soon as is possible. Get in touch with us today.