Ep 5. Ultra Thin Glass

In the season 28, episode 5 of "How It's Made," we are taken on a journey to learn about the fascinating production process behind ultra thin glass. The episode begins by introducing us to the raw materials required to make glass, which includes sand, soda ash, limestone, and various other compounds. These ingredients are combined in a specific ratio and then melted in a furnace at an incredibly high temperature.

The process of creating ultra thin glass is no easy feat, and the episode does an excellent job of breaking down each step of the process into understandable and digestible parts. Once the glass is melted, it is then poured onto a bed of tin and flattened out into a long, thin sheet. This sheet is then cooled, cut into smaller pieces, and put through a series of reheating and cooling cycles to strengthen the glass and prevent it from breaking.

Throughout the episode, we also learn about the different types of ultra thin glass that can be produced, such as flexible glass, which is used in products like smartphones and smartwatches. We are shown how flex glass is produced by floating a layer of glass on a bed of molten salt, which allows the glass to bend and flex without breaking.

The episode then takes us into a facility where we see workers meticulously inspecting each piece of ultra thin glass for imperfections and ensuring that they meet quality standards before being sent out for distribution.

One of the most impressive aspects of this episode is how it showcases the wide range of practical applications that ultra thin glass has in our daily lives. We see how it is used in everything from smartphone screens and camera lenses to solar panels and medical devices. It's clear that without ultra thin glass, many of the technologies that we rely on today would simply not exist.

Overall, the episode is a fascinating deep-dive into the intricate process of creating ultra thin glass and the many ways in which it has become an essential component of modern technology. The excellent narration, stunning visuals, and attention to detail make this episode a must-watch for anyone interested in the science of materials and how things are made.