Recently I read the Dean Koontz Novel titled By the Light of the Moon.
In the book a mad doctor creates a serum full of tiny microscopic
devices called Nanomachines or Nanobots. The book details the
doctor's victims who get amazing powers from the serum. In this case
the nanobots are programed to enhance brain function. Giving the
charcters differant powers including precognition, teleportation and
other abilities. Powerful compulsions to do good is the result for
the good guys. While bad dudes just seem to get more evil.
Some of the ways these Nanobots can be used in an a super hero RPG.
One idea is to say that nanobots are responsible for the creation of
all super powers. Much like the Wild Card virus was used in that
universe. Read at least some of the stories in those books. They
are very good anthologies edited by George RR Martin. Another
classic is to create differant batches of these nanobots. One batch
could be used to enhance strength perform feats of regeneration.
Psonic style abilities could be created by another batch of this
stuff.
Plot hooks include things like the Mad Doctor who created this
stuff. Using it to create super villians or perhaps even the super
hero characters. Various groups and organizations would really want
to get their hands on this tech. Goverments and other's might want
to supress it. Note Nanomachines is not just science fiction. This
is real technology that is being researched around the world in labs
and universities. Real world style applications include scrubbing
out clogged blood vessels. Repairing tissue damage and fighting
various diseases like cancer and perhaps even the flu. Reversing or
at least delaying the on set of aging is possible. Nanobot
technology could really change the world so the game master must be
careful about using it. Currently I know for a fact that Nanotech is
being explored at the University of Alberta here in Edmonton Canada.
Have fun
Ferret