English: Here a viscous non-Newtonian fluid has been mixed with nano-scale particles of magnetic iron oxide (Non-Newtonian fluids have distinguished properties, in this case becoming solid with the application of sudden pressure).

With powerful neodymium magnets placed upon a raised platform, the magnetised non-Newtonian fluid is drawn up from underneath appearing to form additional support columns, which (due to their non-Newtonian properties) would provide initial resistance to sudden impacts. In this sense the fluid becomes a dynamic entity capable of re-arranging and concentrating itself where potentially needed; a form of 'simple' programmable matter (where the programmable element can be seen as external to the material itself by the placement and arrangement of extrinsic magnetic fields).

Adaptnetic Structures - Alexander O.D. Lorimer