Shape Shifting Nanomaterials

Technology continues to moves towards achieving the gear and gizmos you'll find in \Cloud. 
The  article Shape shifting nanomaterials. gives an account of  nanomaterials that change the geometry of a nanomaterial. The scientists who developed the material described their method as "just like building different types of houses with the same bricks and tiles,"

The material is currently only able to generate two-dimensional molecular porous networks with a systematically adjustable structure using the hierarchical formation of hydrogen bonds.
This development is one possible small element in the path towards the creation of a 'Soft-Machine' outfit used by Alister.
("Two-Dimensional Molecular Porous Networks Formed by Trimesic Acid and 4,4'-Bis(4-pyridyl)biphenyl on Au(111) through Hierarchical Hydrogen Bonds: Structural Systematics and Control of Nanopore Size and Shape").