Inventables.com garnered nearly a million hits in 2009 from designers searching for new materials and technologies. The most viewed material, with roughly 167,000 hits: Temperature-sensitive glass, seen above in tile form.

Moving Color's textured glass tiles alter in color with changes in temperature. Offered in a range of colors and sensitivities, the tiles change color based on what they are touching -- ambient temperature, body temperature or water temperature. Color change begins at a selected activation temperature, and continues through three phases within a 6-10° rise in temperature. Once past the peak in temperature, the base color returns and remains unvaried until the temperature drops. The glass is available in a variety of temperature ranges, allowing customization to specific applications.

Temperature-sensitive glass is currently being used in architectural design ranging from small glass tiles to large architectural pieces. For example, when guests in the Mickey Mouse Penthouse at the Disneyland Hotel take a shower, the tiles bloom into color when the warm water hits the glass. As the glass tiles change color, silhouettes of Mickey Mouse appear around the perimeter of the shower....

The applications for this material go well beyond decorative showers. Global architectural firm, HOK, is working on a roof tile concept with Moving Color to use the temperature sensitive glass tiles on a roof. The concept is explored here in their study into skyscraper design.

Also be sure to check out the runners-up: Sound-dampening paint, colorful metal mesh and impact hardening fluid.