The Morph concept, which was on display at The Museum of Modern Art in New York earlier this year, is based on the strength and elasticity principles behind spider silk. Working with the Cambridge Nanoscience Centre in the UK, Nokia researchers are developing the device using the latest nanotechnology techniques, which involves manipulating materials at the nano-scale (a millionth of a millimetre). The team is creating new materials for electrical devices that will endow them with properties such as flexibility, transparency, water and dirt resistance.
'Over time we hope to build up a "material library" that will allow us to do a number of different things,' said James Waterworth, Communications Manager for Nokia, in an e-mail correspondence on March 31.
STRETCHABLE PHONE MESH
To create a flexible phone, scientists have woven Fibril proteins into a 3D mesh that can be bent, straightened, or even stretched, meaning it could be adapted according to the task at hand, as well as offering more applications with less space. Folded up, it could be used as a compact handset, while an unfolded design could incorporate a keyboard or touch pad.
