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").

\Cloud. And you thought it was all Science Fiction

 Michael Berger provides a very readable account of progress in the field of nanotechnology and neuroscience.
Here's a cut and paste of just one small section.
What is already reality today is something called neuroprosthetics, an area of neuroscience that uses artificial microdevices to replace the function of impaired nervous systems or sensory organs. Different biomedical devices implanted in the central nervous system, so-called neural interfaces, already have been developed to control motor disorders or to translate willful brain processes into specific actions by the control of external devices.
I strongly recommend you click and read the full article here:  Nanotechnology coming to a brain near you  Michael Berger, (Copyright 2007 Nanowerk LLC),

Nanoparticles have been around and in your system for quite a while already

Nanotechnology Today: If you've ever eaten from silverware or worn copper jewelry, you've been in a perfect storm in which nanoparticles were dropped into the environment

Using a new approach developed at UO that allows for the direct observation of microscopic changes in nanoparticles over time, researchers found that silver nanoparticles deposited on the surface of their SMART Grids electron microscope slides began to transform in size, shape and particle populations within a few hours, especially when exposed to humid air, water and light. Similar dynamic behavior and new nanoparticle formation was observed when the study was extended to look at macro-sized silver objects such as wire or jewelry.

"Our findings show that nanoparticle 'size' may not be static, especially when particles are on surfaces. For this reason, we believe that environmental health and safety concerns should not be defined -- or regulated -- based upon size," said James E. Hutchison, who holds the Lokey-Harrington Chair in Chemistry.

How to build a Time Machine

headsets that pick up your thoughts

The BBC news item about headsets you can wear that pick up your brainwaves and allow you to manipulate some kind of machinery via a wireless link are the first step to the nanoparticles inside Alister.
Shrinking these sensors down by  bioengineering  organo-synthetic nanoparticles that can collectively generate a signal is a logical next step.
You may think this is all pretty far fetched but the truth is that we are already victims of the reckless use of nanomaterials in all kinds of manufactured stuff we handle.
Developing technologies that start to control the kinds of nanomaterials manufactured for direct human absorption and controlling how we are dosed up with them isn't far behind. We are already seeing research into the application of nanomedicines. You can read all about these developments in Nanomedicine

The article How Nanoparticles Enter the Human Body and Their Effects There (nanotrust dossier 003 November 2010. Published by the Institute of Technology Assessment of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, gives a very readable account of the reality of how easy it is to get nanoparticles in the human body

Here's a cut-n-paste of the introduction paragraph (My italics)
"Nanotechnology and the respective nanomaterials are employed in the research sector and also contained in many commercially available products. This means that the general public is currently being exposed to nanomaterials. This raises the question whether such materials enter the human body and whether they can trigger health effects. The potential health risks are poorly investigated. A number of studies have reported that free nanoparticles, due to their small size, can penetrate into the finest lung structures by breathing, can cause inflammatory reactions, and subsequently can enter the bloodstream. The circulatory system distributes such particles throughout the body, where they can enter other organs. Nanoparticles can also be actively or passively incorporated in cells, and harmful effects cannot be excluded. The biological effects are not based on chemical composition alone: size, shape, surface texture, aggregation state and surface charge also play an important role. The present dossier examines the potential entry sites of nanoparticles into the human body and describes several biological effects which can be triggered"


Image below from nanomedicine.

Carbon Nanotube Muscles

Carbon Nanotube Muscles Generate Giant Twist for Novel Motors
ScienceDaily (Oct. 14, 2011) — New artificial muscles that twist like the trunk of an elephant, but provide a thousand times higher rotation per length, have been developed by a team of researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Wollongong in Australia, The University of British Columbia in Canada, and Hanyang University in Korea.

 (This is a scanning electron micrograph image of a 3.8-micron diameter carbon nanotube yarn that functions as a torsional muscle when filled with an ionically conducting liquid and electrochemically charged. The angle ± indicates the deviation between nanotube orientation and yarn direction for this helical yarn. (Credit: Image courtesy of the University of Texas at Dallas))

The thickness of the Soft-Machine fabric worn by Alister is due to the complex interweaving of several semi-fluid 'fabrics' each with unique properties such as thermal, regulation, strength enhancing, light sensitivity, electromagnetism, energy conversion, short-term data storage.
The critical function of networking is what makes the entire outfit function. The constant flow of design data from the Janus Supercomputer ensures the fabrics retain structural integrity when inactive and when functioning in concert with other fabrics that make up the outfit

Rainwear That Repairs Itself?

ScienceDaily (Oct. 14, 2011) — The first steps have been taken towards rainwear which repairs itself.
In co-operation with research scientists and industry colleagues in eight countries, Susie Jahren and her project team are developing the clothing of the future for professional fishermen. Midway in the EU project "Safe@Sea," the SINTEF team has high hopes of ending up with a world first: at textile coating which automatically seals small holes and tears in the surface layer of waterproof work-wear.
More on the jump >Here<