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" Joachim Tandler, a German physicist with Siemens VDO Automotive, is developing a car that could a) detect side-coming objects in advance, b) decide if contact is inevitable, and c) chemically &amp;quot;shape-shift&amp;quot; to deflect impact and diminish the chance of injury. Here&amp;#039;s how it works: If an onboard computer attached to a camera and radar determines a crash threat, it triggers an electrical current to surge through the impact point. This activates shape-memory alloys and other &amp;quot;smart materials&amp;quot; that cause the door to stiffen and swell, strengthening its connection to the frame. Ideally, the door will hold its shape against intrusion and the crash energy will spread evenly throughout the entire car. Full crash tests will begin in early 2008. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/cars/a2990/shiftingcars0607/>