Nokia Morph Concept Phone Flexes, Stretches

Nokia is showing a nanotechnology-based "concept phone" dubbed Morph, with transparent technology, self-cleaning surfaces...and the ability wrap around your wrist.

In conjunction with the University of Cambridge’s Nanoscience Centre, phone maker Nokia is showing of Morph, a nanotechnology-based concept phone that features a flexible and stretchable shape, self-cleaning surfaces, transparent electronics, solar charging to keep the batteries running, and the ability wrap around your wrist when not in use. The Morph is on display today through May 12, 2008, at the “Design and the Elastic Mind” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

“Nokia Research Center is looking at ways to reinvent the form and function of mobile devices,” said Nokia CTO Bob Iannucci, in a statement. “The Morph concept shows what might be possible”.

Although the Morph is nowhere near being a product consumers can go out and buy, the phone is designed to demonstrate potential benefits new technologies might bring to consumers in years to come. Concept technologies included in the Morph include flexible, transparent materials made from fibril proteins based on spider silk that make the Morph transparent and remarkably strong. The idea is that the Morph can change shape and adapt itself to whatever the user is doing: stretch it out, and users get a full keyboard and touch pad; fold it up, and the Morph drops neatly into a pocket.

The Morph would also include self-cleaning, nano-structured surfaces such as “nanoflowers” that naturally repel oils, water, and dirt. The Morph would also include sensors that help users in new ways, from detecting high levels of air pollution to letting users know if, say, a fruit needs to be washed before being eaten.

Nokia says elements of the Morph design could make it into high-end phones within seven years.