in a touch screen having a flexible outer membrane with a first conducting surface , a backing surface with a second conductive surface , and sensors to detect contact between the first conducting surface and the second conducting surface , the improvement comprising the flexible outer membrane , wherein the flexible outer layer consists of an ultra - thin glass layer , a polymer layer ; and an optical adhesive between the ultra - thin glass layer and the polymer layer , the optical adhesive holding the ultra - thin glass layer to the polymer layer .