The University of Bristol has unveiled six prototypes of shape-changing materials, termed ‘morphees’, which may be utilized in the subsequent generation of smart devices.

The materials, along with shape memory alloy and electro active polymer, could enable devices to vary shape on-demand reckoning on the service getting used . Users could download an app that has an alternative form factor embedded into it, comparable to a stress ball, or a game app could transform the device right into a console.

The team believes that ‘shape resolution’ should added to the display and touch properties consumers and manufacturers are already familiar with. The dep. of Computer Science, led by Dr Anne Roudaut and Professor Sriram Subramanian, will demonstrate its use of shape-shifting materials on the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Paris.

They are keen to enquire further the power of the chosen materials together with other properties like how porous or stretchy a cloth is. The findings were presented within the Morphees: Toward high “shape resolution” in self-actuated flexible mobile devices paper.

See the video here.