Attack of the hive-minded shape-shifting sand grains

Coolest technology story I've read in a bit.

Imagine explaining that one at the bar just off campus. "So, what do you study?" "Oh, smart dust, mostly."

I think the one mildly creepy thing that doesn't get mentioned is the possibility that alien dust designed in much the same way has already been covertly blowing around the Earth for years, gathering information as a prelude to an invasion. Help us Black and Decker. You're our only hope.