Universal joint, computer model. This mechanical joint design, made entirely from carbon (turquoise) and hydrogen (grey) atoms, is an example of nanotechnology. 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.