US Patent 7238425 - Multiwall nanotube bearing

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7238425.html

Some of the early speculation about nanotechnology included forming mechanical components such as gears and drive shafts from molecular materials. This patent from the University of California proposes such a molecular mechanical component in the form of a multiwall nanotube that acts as a translational or rotational bearing. Claim 1 reads:

1. A device comprising a telescoped multiwall nanotube comprised of: (a) an outer shell having a cylindrical wall, a closed end, and an interior cavity defined by the cylindrical wall and the closed end; and (b) a telescoped segment partially housed within the interior cavity of the outer shell and partially extending from the outermost shell, wherein said telescoped segment has a cylindrical segment wall, a closed segment end, and a segment cavity.