You can have objects slide along a fixed path, like the metal disc you see above. It's also possible to produce hairy motors, such as a 'windmill' that kicks in when your phone rings. And the hair is surprisingly useful for sensors. Attach a microphone and you can detect a finger brushing along the hair's surface, including its swiping speed.

These are still experiments, and it could take a long time before you see products in stores. However, MIT's explorations show that this isn't just a novelty. There's a real chance that some of your future gadgets will use this. You could have toy pets that react when you pet them, or wall hooks that don't rely quite so much on adhesives to stay put.