Memory tech can store data up to 1B years

University of California, Berkeley researchers have developed a memory technology that should be ultradense compared with conventional silicon-based memories and that can store data for more than one billion years.

The information density can be as high as 1Tbit per square inch, according to a paper from the research team, led by Alex Zettl.

The memory is based on a nanoscale particle of iron that is contained and controllable positioned within a hollow carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube is anchored to electrodes at either end and the nanoparticle can be moved, via an electrical write signal, and can be positioned anywhere within the tube.

The position of the nanoparticle can be read out via a resistance read measurement, allowing application as a non-volatile memory element with potentially hundreds of memory states per device.

- Peter Clarke
EE Times Europe