Indium tin oxide (ITO) is a mixture of indium(III) oxide (In₂O₃) and tin(IV) oxide (SnO₂), typically 90% In₂O₃, 10% SnO₂ by weight. ITO is mainly used to make transparent conductive coatings for electronic displays, and heat-reflecting coatings for architectural, automotive, and light bulb glasses.

Uses

Typical applications of ITO-coated substrates include:

• Electrodes for LCD and electrochromic display devices.
• Touch fg panel contacts.
• Energy conserving architectural windows.
• Defogging aircraft and automobile windows.
• Heat-reflecting coatings to increase light bulb efficiency.
• Gas sensors.
• Antistatic window coatings.
• Wear resistant layers on glass.
• Heat deflecting windows for slide projection and optics work

As of November 2004, sales of flat panel displays televisions and monitors which require ITO have driven the price of indium to $900/kg, its highest level since 1939, according to Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=6930378).