This matter could be programmed to flow under doors and into other tight openings, then assemble itself into a needed object. For example, one team is working on a wrench that could disassemble itself and then reassemble into a hammer. This could be incredibly valuable to a soldier in the field – to be able to carry just one tool that would be, quite literally, the ultimate multi-tool.

All of this is stunning and quite frankly incredible.

They also talk about other possible applications, like clothing that can alter itself according to temprature or terrain. You know, like Spider-Man’s black costume before it turned on him and combined with Eddie Brock to become Venom.

The trick, according to the scientists, is not just getting the matter to assemble into one thing, then break down and reassemble. It is to make sure that once it reassembles it can take whatever kind of stress it needs to as the reformed tool.

So, for example,  it can’t just become a hammer – it has to be a hammer that doesn’t squish like Jello when it encounters a nail.

Now, clearly we are a long way away from something like the T1000 from Terminator. Additionally it sounds like this can’t form into the shape of a bomb and explode – the mechanics would be far too complicated, not to mention the matter would have to take the form of specific chemicals to create such a reaction.

However, that certainly doesn’t lessen the impact of such an amazing breakthrough and the possibilities it has to offer.