Nanotechnology Now Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors Home > Press > With a zap of light, system switches objects' colors and patterns: "Programmable matter" technique could enable product designers to churn out prototypes with ease A new system uses UV light projected onto objects coated with light-activated dye to alter the reflective properties of the dye, creating images in minutes. CREDIT Image courtesy of Michael Wessley, Stefanie Mueller, et al Abstract: When was the last time you repainted your car? Redesigned your coffee mug collection? Gave your shoes a colorful facelift? With a zap of light, system switches objects' colors and patterns: "Programmable matter" technique could enable product designers to churn out prototypes with ease