The University of Illinois has developed a polymer that changes color under stress. Like any one of us, one polymer turns a shade of red when stretched too far, and another turns purple when squashed. Although talks of pull chords and bridge production have joined the conversations about this material, I'd like to see it put into our touchscreen computer; that way, when my husband stabs the screen with his finger, I am not the only think that winces!
Other possible uses for the everyday? Hand held physical therapy devices that help the patient see his improved squeezing capabilities over time... make pants out of them- then someone will have a scientifically proven indicator that the fabric is stretching too much, and one needs a bigger size!
Surely, they could find a way to apply this to the bottom of a piece of luggage, so that when it's more than 50lbs, it turns purple (long enough for the user give it a tip and check): friends and family need no longer to play the weigh and swap game at the check-in counter.
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