http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://roots.greenbush.us/?p=671 ]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
Can I finally believe the acting on Knight Rider now?]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 1:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 1:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
How could this be achieved? Think for a moment that the shape is created by a combination of ferrofluids and nanomachines suspended in a substance that while has a small current, it remains "shapeable". While on the board, the current flows through the (let's say) gelatinous/sandy substance, but once you press a button, the current is suspended, then you let it cool and it will harden. tt would be nice (and green) if once the prototype is done, you could somehow recycle it again and again by just tossing it to yet another machine so it can filter out foreign particles from it and reincorporate it all to the main substance tank.

Color could be obtained by using the same principles as in e-ink, small micro particles change sides and regroup to show you a color. What you have at the microscopic level are tons of tiny cubes, CMYK plus B&W, combined they can create almost any color.

I find that Tony Stark's prototyping 3D board could be somewhat cooler (but holograms haven't got there yet either).

It would also be nice if the particles could somewhat sense your fingers, so they could project on top of them what surface you where going to be tweaking (a proximity sensor triggers a response that brightens the color of the part you are going to change)... Undo will be a must here also.

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I think that reverse-engineered alien technology is about the only way that we are going to see something like this in the next 15 years. Even then, it'd probably just start enslaving people and call its alien overlords.]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 7:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
This is as ridiculous as that video projector and table cloth they used to promote as a "Functional Cloak of Invisibility". Why don't they just bust out Teleporter Pods, Video Enlargers, and Hoverboards well they're at it? ]]>Mar 2nd 2009 11:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

to

Any sufficiently advanced theoretical technology is seen as vaporware by people who have no imagination and generally are clueless.

]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
Why do only stupid people reply to my comments? Better question, why do I reply to stupid people? ]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 12:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 5:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/

In all seriousness. Think of tent materials. Instant healing if say a branch comes down and rips a hole in the thing. Or what about a]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 12:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
LOL!!!]]>Mar 2nd 2009 11:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
one step closer to Megatron!]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
Hmmm transformers meets the T-1000.]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
They're gonna turn into monsters and eat us!!!]]>Mar 2nd 2009 6:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 11:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
Well... Not for long anyway.]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 12:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 12:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
Amuse them with the future, keep their minds firmly locked in the present?

Technologically I do think this is possible, but I don't really see an aplication for it in a selfish greed driven economy where the focus is to get more for selling less. I'll be on the "waiting to see" crowd with this one. ]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
Or maybe an existing, but not widely available product... I know! They should've shown a thneed, made from programmable matter instead of truffula fiber!

No way could it just be smart marketing to evoke "future" concepts (Transformers, anyone?) that people are already familiar with. It must be evil capitalism trying to keep everyone in the past.]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/after showing cars for like 5 minutes
the guy in the video was like
"you can even use it to make and change things like... cars!"

oh, i never would have thought cars were one of the possibilities]]>Mar 2nd 2009 5:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 12:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~claytronics/
Intel is a sponsor--seems like they may be taking more credit than they deserve???]]>Mar 2nd 2009 12:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/
I got a call from my parents yesterday saying "WOW did you see this?? And I had to burst their bubble telling them it's not even remotely real yet, that it's a computer simulation. Had to go hunting on the net for the original video since there is no source listed on the CNN Website.

Stoopid CNN.]]>Mar 2nd 2009 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/02/intels-shape-shifting-programmable-matter-shown-on-video-sadly/Mar 2nd 2009 12:42PM