Shape-shifting material can morph, reverse itself using heat, light

www.sciencedaily.com...

The new CU Boulder material achieves readily programmable two-way transformations on a macroscopic level by using liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), the same technology underlying modern television displays. The unique molecular arrangement of LCEs make them susceptible to dynamic change via heat and light.

If i read this correctly then possible one day our tv's could turn into real life transformers. Maybe not but the technology is certainly much closer to actual uses in our lives. Things like prosthetic limbs and such. Once they gain more control over the substance then transformation may become much easier to shift forms via light or heat. Just think of a limb being fed from someones brain via a fiber optic line that causes changes in shape and actions.

"We view this as an elegant foundational system for transforming an object's properties," said Matthew McBride, lead author of the new study and a post-doctoral researcher in CHBE. "We plan to continue optimizing and exploring the possibilities of this technology."

I think the possibilities are great and could mean some serious tech in the near future. How about a car that can change shape?

Here is an older thread on a similar tech.
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Any sg1 fans out there remember these replicators?

a reply to: howtonhawky

This might be great for artificial muscles in robots.

Powered to move by lasers.

a reply to: howtonhawky

Im thinking this type of material may be good for prosthetics/synthetic muscle and the like.

Or for modifying the shape in-flight of aircraft wings.

a reply to: howtonhawky

depending how small they can actuate the material and what they can build this out of it has all sorts of interesting military applications.

originally posted by: andy06shake
a reply to: howtonhawky

Im thinking this type of material may be good for prosthetics/synthetic muscle and the like.

Or for modifying the shape in-flight of aircraft wings.

I think this is already in use and this might be way to slowly break the technology.

a reply to: howtonhawky

Fascinating. Not sure if I think this is more cool, or more creepy.

One day we can be like the Simpsons Mr Burns.

Just a head in a jar attached to a robot.

Sounds good. But can we get a sense of touch?