Programmable Matter

Eh? That's what I said when my bro sent me the following:
I just read in the Discover about a scientist / engineer name of Wil McCarthy who has invented matter that can change properties on the fly, in real time.
They are developing it for building material right now.
Anyhow he is also a prolific sci-fi writer.
He has an audio book on his web site that is free.
"The Wellstone" is about the future of programmable matter. Might be an interesting read.
The theory is in tiny semiconductor objects called quantum dots that can hold different numbers of electrons.
Change the number of electrons, you instantly change the properties.

http://www.wilmccarthy.com/bookstor.htm