This is some awesome technology from Tactus Technology.
It is called a dynamic tactile touchscreen.
Here's how it works:
When you want to type with a tablet or other touchscreen display, not only do you see a QWERTY keyboard, but also the buttons actually rise out of of the flatscreen display--for a tactile typing experience.
Using microfluidics, the fluids in the screen actually change shape--and form buttons.
When your done typing, the keyboard buttons melt away back down into the screen.
It all happens in a split second and has negligible impact on power consumption (i.e. less than 1%).
This type of tactile experience with computer displays can be used for tablets, smartphones, gaming devices, and I would imagine even SCADA devices (e.g. for turning a dial, pulling a level, etc. all virtually on a monitor).
Goodbye physical controls and hello magic touchscreen--presto chango. ;-)