The era of 3-D liquid metal started with printers. The new patent sighted under Apple hinted that liquid metal will be hitting the mobile market soon. Could the next iPhone feature liquid metal?

Apple was working on including 3-D-printing liquid metal into their devices. Through a collaboration with Liquidmetal Technologies, the Apple now held an exclusive license for liquid alloys. Liquidmetal Technologies previously patented fabrication processing rights. Apple recently acquired the license, making them the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of liquid alloys.

"The material is a group of alloys that have an atomic structure more similar to glass, with an amorphous quality," Electronista reported.

This allowed Apple to mold the material into virtually anything including complex shapes. The alloy maintained its strength regardless of its mold.

Users can expect their next iPad, iPhone or even iWatch to feature a printed alloy case. Once Apple explored the capacities of the alloy, bigger and more complex devices from Apple can feature the material.

Presently, metal 3-D printers can only produce small and comparatively thin items. An example was Apple's SIM card ejector tool.