The Programmable Matter (TM) Corporation is a research corporation based in Lakewood, Colorado. PMC was formed for the express purpose of exploring and developing dynamically configurable ismart materials and the technology associated with them. Through the application of geometric/insulative barriers and electric fields, it is possible to manipulate the electron structure of semiconductor materials, and thus alter their electrical, optical, thermal, and magnetic properties in real time. Applications are virtually limitless, but include photovoltaics, color-changing materials, thermal and optical switches, switchable magnets, thermoelectric devices (e.g., solid-state coolers), and emissive or reflective displays.

The existing technology of quantum dots and artificial atoms leads logically to the idea of programmable dopant fibers, or "Wellstone (TM)." Wellstone(TM) smart materials can introduce quantum dopants into a bulk material whose properties can then be adjusted in real time.