Interesting news story at CNET News.com: Rice University has created nanoscopic automobiles made out of carbon atoms. The cars are a couple of nanometers long and are thinner than human DNA. Of course, one of the first things I thought was “just how do these ‘cars’ work?” It seems the news story doesn’t give a specific answer, but it does say:

Although the cars contain several atoms each that move in different directions, they actually consist of one single molecule. The nanocars typically contain four wheels attached to two axles. Each wheel is a buckyball, a spherical molecule made up of 60 carbon atoms. The axles are made of carbon as well. Although the bond between the wheels and the axles is strong, the wheels rotate like regular wheels on the axle.

So, what would these cars be used for?

The idea behind the research is to create molecules that will act as tools in the chemical reactions that will be employed to build microprocessors or other components in the future.

Roughly speaking, the nanocars would act like enzymes for industrial applications, he said. Enzymes in living beings help break down molecules and transport the by-products to the appropriate molecule for the next step in processing. Hemoglobin, for example, transports oxygen. Tour does not envision these molecules being used in medicines or for biological applications.

The article also mentions that the researchers at the university have created, in addition to the nanocar, a nanotruck that can carry a payload. Very cool.