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Technology tracked by 311 Institute

The future of Smart Materials

  • 18articles
  • 2016first covered
  • 28 Mar 2026latest update
  • 6linked technologies

What is Smart Materials?

What is Smart Materials doing to bring the future to life?

Bringing the future to life

How Smart Materials is shaping what comes next

On the 311 Starburst

Smart Materials goes mainstream around 2040

Smart Materials sits in the Materials sector of the 311 Emerging Technology Starburst, which tracks 1,073 technologies to 2075. The timeline shows when it and the technologies most often reported alongside it reach the mainstream.

Explore Smart Materials on the Starburst
The 311 Starburst

Private briefing

What does the future of Smart Materials mean for you?

Matthew Griffin and 311 Institute brief boards and leadership teams on what Smart Materials is doing next, and what it means for your organisation.

Where should Matthew reply?

Takes 30 seconds. No obligation. Matthew replies quickly. Privacy

Every article

All 18 articles on Smart Materials

  1. Researchers use 4D Printing to turn Sulfur into self moving soft robotsRobotics
  2. New smart clothes tech turns everday garments into motion trackersIndustry and manufacturing
  3. Molecular barcodes help suppliers keep track of Cannabis shipmentsIndustry and manufacturing
  4. Scientists have created a new smart material that’s more AI than materialAI and intelligence
  5. Researchers have invented a new kind of material that thinks for itselfIndustry and manufacturing
  6. Telekinetic and telepathic materials open the door to mental weirdnessBiotech and enhanced humans
  7. New smart kinetic clothing records and plays back your breathingAI and intelligence
  8. Flying high Airbus shows off its 2030 and 2050 concept cabinsTransport and mobility
  9. Featured Futurist: How 4D Printing Will Shift the Shape of Manufacturing, SAPArticles
  10. Perfect fitting one size fits all clothing has arrivedIndustry and manufacturing
  11. NASA’s revolutionary metamaterial “morphing” wing mimics birds wingsTransport and mobility
  12. 3D printed fashion takes over New York Fashion WeekIndustry and manufacturing
  13. Ground transport at 760mph, HTT unveil their hyperloop passenger capsuleTransport and mobility
  14. MIT created a nanobot spray that gives dumb objects superpowersIndustry and manufacturing
  15. Lamborghini’s futuristic all electric, self healing hyper car won’t have batteriesTransport and mobility
  16. The robots of the future might not have a brainRobotics
  17. Printed transistor breakthrough opens door for printed electronics and smart goodsIndustry and manufacturing
  18. Scientists use defects to create a new programmable materialIndustry and manufacturing

Answers

FAQ

How many articles has 311 Institute published about Smart Materials?

311 Institute has published 18 articles about Smart Materials since 2016, most recently on 28 March 2026.

Can 311 Institute brief my board on the future of Smart Materials?

Yes. Matthew Griffin and 311 Institute run private briefings, workshops and keynotes on what Smart Materials is doing next and what it means for your organisation. Use the briefing form on this page and Matthew will reply quickly.

Follow the future of Smart Materials

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