Back in 2010, Apple signed an exclusive agreement with California-based company Liquidmetal Technologies to use the firm’s advanced “amorphous” metal alloys. According to Liquidmetal’s description of its technology, this material exhibits an “amorphous” molecular structure differing from the crystalline structures of traditional metals, making it lightweight, strong and malleable. It was even said to have unique acoustical properties, potentially making liquidmetal an ideal material for the construction of phone chassis.

Yet in the five years since Apple acquired the rights to liquidmetal, the only consumer product to use it was a SIM ejector tool for the iPhone 3G.

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