permaterial

Permaterial is a term used in materials science and related fields to describe a class of materials whose functional properties can be reconfigured by external stimuli and, in some implementations, retained after the stimulus is removed. The concept emphasizes programmable states rather than a single, fixed property.

In practice, permaterials may exhibit tunable electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical, or chemical characteristics, including conductivity, refractive index, stiffness, or shape. States can be switched electronically, thermally, optically, or magnetically, and may be non-volatile (retained without power) or volatile.

Common mechanisms include phase transitions in phase-change materials, alignment of ferroic domains, electrochemical modification, and structural rearrangements in polymers or composites. Related families include phase-change materials, metamaterials with reconfigurable unit cells, and smart materials such as shape-memory alloys and ferroelectrics.

Potential applications span adaptive optics and communications (tunable lenses and antennas), programmable metasurfaces, reconfigurable coatings, sensing, and soft robotics.

As a concept, permaterial is still evolving, with ongoing research addressing durability, cycle life, manufacturing, and integration into devices. The term is not universally standardized, and definitions vary across disciplines.