A group has synthesized three carbon-based (organic) nickel compounds that become magnetic spontaneously at room temperature--an extremely rare find. If researchers can figure out how these materials form and how to control that process, they might be able to turn similar compounds into pliable magnetic plastics.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa002&articleID=321E8B66-E7F2-99DF-3954EAC629ECD324 (http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa002&articleID=321E8B66-E7F2-99DF-3954EAC629ECD324)