[Marian123]

Ok, I'm not sure if what I'm thinking is pure science fiction, or something that has already been accomplished, so hopefully this won't come out sounding too naive.

I've been searching for some time for a material that will become more rigid if an electrical current is passed through it.  Specifically, I was looking for something that I could control the flexibility of.  If possible, something that would be quite flexible until an electrical current was passed through it.  At which point it would be quite rigid. 

Is this pure science fiction?  Or is there a material similar to this.  If you don't know, would you happen to have any advice on how to go about finding the answer on my own?

Thanks,

[Borek]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroactive_polymers

[Enthalpy]

May be usable as well? Liquids containing iron powder (or a ferromagnetic powder) get rigid in a magnetic field. They're used in race car dampers for instance, to adapt the damping force at will.