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MIT develops self-transforming materials that behave 'like robots without robots'

A cross-disciplinary research lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a suite of programmable materials, including carbon fiber, printed wood grain, textile composites, rubbers and plastics, that self-transform when exposed to an external stimulus. Director of the Self-Assembly Lab, Skylar Tibbits, presented a TED talk on 4D printing in 2013, where he demonstrated how a flat sheet of material could effectively build itself when exposed to water, like a robot without a robot. Following positive feedback from industries including aviation, automotive and manufacturing, his lab has been working on developing materials that change according to different activation sources, including heat, light, and air pressure, in addition to water – all of which have automotive relevance.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Review & Road Test: Giulietta 1.4 TB MultiAir 170 Veloce (2011) Part 2

The interior of the Alfa Giulietta - a nice place The Giulietta is up against some stiff competition from the sector big boys – the VW Golf and the Ford Focus – and for all the visual appeal Alfas have traditionally had, that’s never been enough. And at first glance the Giulietta – which looks a bit like a MiTo after a course of steroids – doesn’t even tick all the sexy boxes. Instead of flowing lines we look for in an Alfa it’s all a bit blobby.

131 new cars for 2008

By Georg Kacher Motor Industry 31 January 2008 14:30 Will 2008 be a good year for new cars? You bet. Our European editor Georg Kacher has the lowdown on all the new metal due this year and we can spill the beans on all 131 new cars.