Nissan, a name that you won't expect to be associated with iPhone accessories, announced an iPhone case that isn't just scratch resistant, but is also the world's first "self-healing" iPhone case, using innovations from the automotive world.
The company, in collaboration with a Japanese university, had developed this "self-healing" paint technology a few years back. It's already being used in a few Nissan cars, and the iPhone case is the first application of this technique outside the world of automobiles.
Apart from mending scratches, the case's "tactile gel-like" surface lends a better grip to the device. Nissan's presser describes a few features of the case and also explains the self-healing technique:
[T]he case itself is made of ABS plastic - a high grade substance widely used in the automotive industry which is more rigid and robust than other plastics. The outer ‘paint' is made from polyrotaxane, which means that when damage occurs to the coating in the form of a fine scratch, the chemical structure is able to react to change back to its original shape and fill the gap - 'healing' the blemish.
The healing process, Nissan says, can range from an hour for small scratches, up to a week for severe ones. It also notes that, the technology fails to work for deep scratches that penetrate the outer layer.
The case is named "Nissan Scratch Shield," and is compatible with the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S. It's being handed to beta testers presently, and would be available to general public later this year. There's not word on the pricing, though.
Nissan's "self-healing" paint, when combined with waterproof technology and crack resistant glass, would make future iPhones extremely tough and resistant to cracks or scratches.
Nissan's executive outlines an interesting trend in the press release - taking innovation from one industry, and applying it in another.
Nissan has currently produced only prototypes of the case, which are being beta tested by some journalists and customers. Nissan plans to start selling the case later this year if the demand is strong.
We would definitely not mind checking it out. What about you?
I would definitely like to check it out!
Looks like a nice case… wish my elementcase had this kind of technology.. would be nice without the big “nissan juke” text splashed all over it.. hopefully custom cases come out in the future.
Needs a better design.
My problem is that all cases just leave the volume button and sleep toggle unprotected. WTF?!
Yes, mine are constantly under attack by volume and sleep toggle hating fundmentalist [insert religious group here].
Seriously, those buttons are recessed in the case, what exactly is going to happen to them? Cases that cover those buttons are very annoying to use. I have a casemate that covers both and I can’t stand it, so I gave the phone and case to my wife and bought a 4s with different case.
Lifeproof. You can’t buy better. Water, shock, dirt, snow proof and protects volume buttons. No stupid Nissan design.
LOL @ Badlands .. I was about to say the same and then read your reply. Lifeproof by all means. I love mine.
I need a jailbreak not a case !!!
go get one then
your an effing idiot! i hate stupid people like you that come to this site and post comments like this one..the people who run this site and are responsible for adding content are not the people who come up with the JB…your an idiot and you should just go buy a droid
You are an idiot for coming on here talking trash yourself. Get a life and stop effing on people’s post.
What sorcery is this?
Looks like an Asian suped up rice burner Honda Civic, that has those giant “Honda” stickers all over the car. We know who makes it, no reason to advertise obnoxiously on your own product. Dumb.
Yes! But, does it blend?
Does it blend and then heal itself??? Can’t wait to see
Does it blend and then heal itself???
Some time ago I worked for a Chemical Company involved in developing many many coatings. This was one technology we were working on at the time. Glad to see it reaching market. At the time period I was there, it was still very very expensive and targeted for upper end automotive groups like BMW, Porshe, Mercedes, etc….
Self healing works with exposure to UV radiation… IE the sun…. Overtime in bright sunlight or under a UV lamp the polymers in the paint flow enough to fill in scratches. Fun stuff.
…and what about the Ministry of Sound logo? Co-sponsors?