UK student to unveil world's first bamboo-clad smartphone

London - A 23-year-old British student is to launch a new mobile phone, made largely from bamboo.

The new smartphone, called 'ADzero', which is expected to launch later this year, is made from organically grown bamboo that has been treated to improve its durability.

The phone, made by Kieron Scott-Woodhouse, from London, runs Google's Android operating system, The Telegraph reports.

Scott-Woodhouse, who is a full-time student on Middlesex University's Product Design course, said he designed the phone in his spare time because he was frustrated that so many existing models looked similar to each other.

Middlesex University said that a technology entrepreneur contacted him after posting designs online.

Described as 'weighing half as much as the iPhone', the new device will also feature a 'ring flash' to make the illumination of pictures taken with its camera more even.

"Bamboo may seem like a strange material to use for a phone, but it's actually extremely strong and very durable, perfect qualities for this kind of application," the paper quoted Kieron-Scott, as saying.

Initially intended for the Chinese market, an enthusiastic reception in the UK means that the phone will go on sale in design retailers later in 2012.