Introducing the phone paint that heals itself

Nissan working on a case that will make clumsy people weep with joy - and then drop their phones.

The Japanese car manufacturer first developed the Scratch Shield self-healing paint technology in 2005 and has already used it on cars.

Now, it's being trialled as a proof of concept for phones in Europe.

The secret to the story is polyrotaxane, a substance whose chemical structure can change back to its original shape and fill the gap whenever it is scratched.

It's applied to a case that has other benefits: its gel-like surface is scratch-resistant and provides a better grip; the case itself is made of ABS plastic, which is more rigid and robust than other plastics.

"We like to think laterally by taking the great innovations we've got from an automotive point of view, and looking at how they could be applied to improve everyday issues," said Bob Laishley, overseas programme director of business development at Nissan.