The future of MATERIALS
Atomic customisation of materials
Polymers with conductivity > copper at room temperature
Material, refractive index variable by 0.1 in electric or magnetic field
Intelligent materials with sensors, storage and effectors
Smart skin for intelligent clothing and direct human repair
Manufacture of long diamond fibres
Use of polymer gels for muscles, bioreactors, information processing
Membranes with active transport and receptors
State of the art[]
AIST, Japan
Switching mirror-glass can change between transparent glass and mirror. 1% hydrogen is injected between two layers making it reflect light. [1]
More futuristic materials at http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4301621.html :
http://www.cracked.com/article/212_5-materials-that-will-make-world-as-we-know-it-obsolete/ - 5 large areas of material improvements, with simple descriptions