My alma mater is at it again. Scientists from the UIUC's Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology have announced that they have created a "smart brick", capable of monitoring temperature, vibration and other factors while being a part of the walls.

The NSF-funded project uses wireless technology to transmit sensor readings to building receivers (and possibly emergency responders, such as firefighters) and is expected to be used in the future to help pin-point fires and rapidly determine earthquake soundness for structures after a quake.