NEC's Fundamental and Environmental Research Laboratories developed a new vegetable-based (flame resistant) plastic, dubbed bio-plastic, that can "remember" and change shape. this is not to be confused with NiTinol, which is a *metal* that can remember and change shape when heated. plastics naturally have a tendency to return to it's original shape when you heat it. i do that with my tupperware all the time. however, 93% of the bioplastic is made from veggie resin and highly biodegradable so that is something to look forward to. "The company is developing the new plastic for use in computers and hopes to include it in devices that can change shape in accordance with users' wishes, such as computers shaped like rings or even eyeglasses." how fun. [via]