UK touchscreen manufacturer Zytronic’s sound system will be powered invisibly using electrically conductive NSG TEC glass.
The ElectroglaZ music system comprises of a single, upright sheet of laminated glass, which simultaneously powers a set of Bluetooth speakers, a media player and an LCD screen, surrounded by a multicoloured LED display (see above).
The stereo can be controlled via seven projected capacitive touch buttons which are carved into the surface of the glass.
The coated glass acts as a wire, transferring power through conduction, creating the effect that the components are freely ‘floating’ within an optically clear panel.
The sound system was showcased at last year’s glasstec trade show in Düsseldorf, as well as the Light + Building trade fair in Frankfurt, where it drew interest from product designers and architects.
To create the ElectroglaZ unit, Zytronic laminated together two layers of transparent, electrically conductive NSG TEC glass.
Electricity flows into the glass via a hidden connection around its perimeter, through the conductive glass’ lamination, and out to the speakers and screen.
A third layer of glass is laminated to the front to create a touch interface to the device using Zytronic’s proprietary Project Capacitive (PCap) Technology.
Alderlan Vitalino, NSG's Marketing Director of Architectural Glass in Europe, said: “The home is becoming increasingly high tech, with smart devices, voice controlled lighting and automated appliances modernising every facet of household life. Zytronic’s technology offers new design possibilities across almost every appliance you can find in the home, providing new ways to create high-tech looking products.”
Zytronic is best known for its durable, capacitive touchscreen technologies used in variety of self-service and commercial applications, such as ticket vending machines, ATMs and outdoor EV charging stations.
The company also works with Pilkington UK, part of the NSG Group, to process other products including Pilkington Optiwhite for use in its touchscreen products.
