Molecular bearing, computer model. This bearing design is an example of nanotechnology. Each sphere represents an individual atom and is colour-coded: carbon (pink), hydrogen (white), silicon (cream) and sulphur (yellow). It is based on fullerenes, forms of carbon where atoms are bonded to make balls or tubes. It is thought that one day nanotechnology could lead to a host of revolutionary miniature inventions, such as microscopic insnanorobotsins that patrol the human body in search of cancer tumours.