"By harnessing the electrostatic nature of the assembly process with the functional properties of the virus, we can create highly ordered composite thin films combining the function of the virus and polymer systems, " Hammond says.

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Food, tobacco and chewing gum properties stayed functional along with IBM, American Can and Coca-Cola.

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Gareth Pugh makes clothing with inflatable properties, serving no functional purpose unless you fall into a pool and the list of fabulously impractical avant-garde designs goes on.

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