[ShadowWolf_IH]

The Structural Amorphous Metals Program continues the development of a new class of bulk metallic alloys that exhibit unique combinations of mechanical properties. Unlike conventional metals, structural amorphous metals are bulk metallic materials whose microstructures are non-crystalline, amorphous, or "glassy" in the solid state. Also, included in this classification are metallic materials whose crystalline microstructures are formed from an amorphous state or are synthesized/derived from an amorphous condition and exhibit combinations of crystalline and amorphous features.

Specific demonstrations will explore enabling fabrication technologies to produce components. The testbed components exploit unique attributes of amorphous materials and their expanded processing windows to produce prototypical but functional capability. Bulk amorphous metallic materials or amorphous-derived material systems will achieve combinations of mechanical properties that provide revolutionary improvements compared to those of comparable conventional alloys. Amorphous-composite hybrid materials that have the stiffness of beryllium and twice the strength will be demonstrated in space applications. Bulk amorphous alloys that have strength, fatigue, and corrosion properties better than titanium will be demonstrated in turbine applications.

coupled with:

The goal of Programmable Matter Program is to demonstrate a new functional form of matter, based on mesoscale particles, which can reversibly assemble into complex 3D objects upon external command. These 3D objects will exhibit all the functionality of their conventional counterparts.

Programmable Matter represents the convergence of chemistry, information theory, and control into a new materials design paradigm referred to as "InfoChemistry"—building information directly into materials. To achieve the Programmable Matter vision, key technological breakthroughs will center on the following critical areas:
Encoding information into chemistry, or fusing materials with machines.
Fabrication of mesoscale particles with arbitrary complex shapes, composition, and function.
Interlocking/adhesion mechanisms that are strong and reversible.
Global assembly strategies that translate information into action.
Mathematical theory for construction of 3D objects from particles.

Of critical importance are radical new material architectures that maximize the efficiency of information processing/transfer, and design rules for the optimal number, size, and shape of particles required to create objects of a specific size and spatial feature resolution.

Now let your imagination run.

[Kszyhu]

T1000 and/or ST replicators.

[Kosh]

Source?

[Kszyhu]

According to Google - http://www.darpa.mil/dso/thrusts/materials/novelmat/sam/index.htm and http://www.darpa.mil/dso/thrusts/physci/newphys/program_matter/index.htm

[ShadowWolf_IH]

My thoughts went to aerospace.   A craft whose body changes would have enormous implications.  Not simply in advanced flight characteristics, but in stealth.  The craft actually would changed shape to reflect radar waves, even ELF away from itself.  What about tightening the duct of a scramjet for greater thrust? 

I realize that this is all first cup of coffee in the morning stuff and doesn't even begin to scratch things, but that **** is cool.

[Kosh]

When it can change into an FTL/warp drive let me know.