That's a fun trick in itself, but the kicker is that the material also stores vast amounts of elastic energy. It can lift something a thousand times its weight -- a thin wire could pull a big toy car, for instance.

If the polymer is put into use, that force could come in handy. The University envisions clothes that automatically fit themselves, and it could also lead to artificial skin and sutures that tighten up on their own. Any such products would likely be years away, but the days of unintentionally baggy shirts might just be numbered.