At a time when there is a general trend towards naturalness and authenticity, companies and universities are engaged in intensive research with the basic objective of finding new materials and technologies. There are many new developments which can be used in architecture, interior design and product design. These are now opening up new possibilities with regard to construction and effects. Sometimes, the innovation "only" consists of transferring an application from one discipline such as medicine or space travel to another. This article from a-matter is dedicated to materials that enable special effects. Electroluminescent FilmEL film is an active, light-generating, extremely thin and lightweight material. It can be cut to size with a pair of scissors. Phosphorescent paint is applied to a polyester film. Different qualities, sizes and colors, as well as specially developed control methods, enable many different uses and optimum utilization of luminosity. There are highly flexible luminous wires and various films which can be used, for example, as mobile light surfaces or for creating lighting effects in exhibitions, in the theater and on stage or even as guidance systems. www.lightandmotion.atLiquid Crystal WindowsAs seen in the Rem Koolhaus/IDEO designed Prada changing in NYC, with this kind of material, it is possible to make the glass transparent or frosted. It is laminated safety glass with at least two transparent or colored layers of float glass and at least two intermediate layers. Between the latter, there is an LC film with liquid crystals. In their quiescent state, the crystals are unordered and make the glass translucent but milky and therefore opaque. When an electric field is applied to them, however, the liquid crystals become aligned, thus making the glass transparent. This requires that the glass be connected to a transformer. www.saint-gobaint.comLight ThreadThe French designer, François Azambourg, created a lamp with a special effect by using a type of nylon thread usually used in aviation and space travel. But materials from other areas such as an inflated structure (from a children's paddling pool?) were used for the lamp, thus making the light especially soft and warm. Tissavel [Warning, very badly designed site!], the manufacturer of the nylon thread, also produces a range of other products. Apart from the fact that its is one of the largest producers of synthetic furs, it also makes interesting fibers for cleaning machines, fleeces and microfibers of all kinds. It is even possible to grow water cress on them. www.via.asso.frDigital PrintA new generation of surfaces can be created with the digital print developed by Abet Laminati. The laminate can be optically transformed into leaves, wood, water, light or other kinds of decoration. After being designed, the colors and the patterns are transmitted under computer control and directly applied to the surface. For the Milan furniture fair in 2003, Abet Laminati engaged 20 young designers to create surfaces and, with them, installations. "Colours" and "Textures" are the names of the new collections, which are divided into four families. www.abet-laminati.itSelf-Healing PolymerThe possibility of a material having self-healing properties seems almost magic. Researchers in Illinois, however, have succeeded in developing so-called "healing agents". These are very small globules with a repair fluid that is applied to the point of breakage. The "wound", in the form of a crack in a material, is then filled in as a result of the polymerization process that is initiated. This futuristic material is, of course, being used in space and satellite stations but it is also suitable for all innovative engineering work in architecture and the construction industry where composite materials are used. www.autonomic.uiuc.edu Source: a-matter