So far only in computer simulations. Still this is pretty cool.
One of the key nuts to crack with nanotechnology is how do you make a little motor to power these things. You can't just shrink a motor down to nano size and have it work. This solution builds off of several things.
- Some bacteria's use of biomotors believed to be powered by proton tunneling.
- Carbon nanotube technology to build the motor.
- Electron tunneling
If they can build such a motor then nano-machines become much more viable. Connecting the power supply to the motors becomes the next trick.
Main article: http://nanotechweb.org/cws/article/tech/36611