What are Programmable Materials?

Programmable materials are materials that have the ability to change their physical properties based upon user input or autonomous sensing. Some examples of the change could be shape, density, or conductivity.

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Memory wire is the most controllable type of programmable material we found. It can remember any shape, and then revert back to that shape when heat is applied. 

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Hover over the GIFs below for information about the examples of natural programmable materials:

The Filaree is a special type of plant found throughout North America. It's seeds have the ability to coil and uncoil according to the humidity of it's surrounding environment. This special property programmed by nature, allows the Filaree seed to plant itself when it rains.

The Makahiya, or shy plant, evolved the ability to contract it's leaves when touched. This special genetic program helps keep it safe from herbivores, scaring away most plant eating animals with it's sudden movements.

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Self-Assembly

Self-assembly is the action of individual units organizing themselves without direct input.  PBS technology self-assembles when scaffolding a wound.

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Hover over the GIFs below for information about the examples of artificial self-assembly:

MIT is in the process of inventing the next generation of self-assembling programmable materials. This technology adds a "fourth" dimension. The 4D printed cube in the GIF is one of their creations. It has the ability to self-assemble from a 2D shape to a 3D object.

Another example of self-assembly is Harvard's Kilobots. In this GIF, the identical Kilobots self-assemble into a star shape based only on user input. These robots can represent compounds and cells found in nature.