Theoretically DNA wouldn't store as much data since more atoms would be involved, although a working, saleable hard disc based on DNA would be a more likely possibility using current technology. Has such a disc using DNA been built? Gerry
> I thought DNA was the Next Big Thing in data storage. > > --R > > > On 7/19/16 4:57 AM, archer75--- via Mercedes wrote: > > > > World's smallest hard disk stores data atom by atom > > > > DELFT, Netherlands, July 18 (UPI) -- Researchers in the Netherlands have > > unveiled the world's smallest hard disk. > > > > The disk uses chlorine atoms to represent each bit of information, the most > > efficient data storage method yet devised. The hard disk stores 1 kilobyte > > of data, or 8,000 bits, and features a storage density of 500 Terabits per > > square inch -- 500 times better than the most efficient hard desk on the > > market. > > > > "In theory, this storage density would allow all books ever created by > > humans to be written on a single post stamp," lead researcher Sander Otte, > > a scientist with the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at Delft University, > > said in a news release. > > > > Researchers used a scanning tunneling microscope to manipulate atoms to > > represent binary code, the language used to encode data in computers. > > > > "Every bit consists of two positions on a surface of copper atoms, and one > > chlorine atom that we can slide back and forth between these two > > positions," Otte explained. "If the chlorine atom is in the top position, > > there is a hole beneath it -- we call this a 1. If the hole is in the top > > position and the chlorine atom is therefore on the bottom, then the bit is > > a 0." > > > > Using the scanning tunneling microscope, scientists can drag holes around > > on a copper surface to encode all kinds of information. Researchers liken > > the hard disk to a sliding puzzle, where each piece is either an atom or a > > hole. > > > > Because each chlorine in atom is surrounded by other chlorine atoms, they > > remain stable and stationary. Previous attempts to encode data on the > > atomic scale have relied on loose, unanchored atoms. > > > > The data on the hard disk is organized into blocks of 8 bytes, or 64 bits. > > Each block has a marker made of holes that works like a bar code, revealing > > the location of of the block on the copper layer. > > > > The new method promises major improvements in terms of stability and > > scalability, but the technology requires significant improvement before it > > can be used in a working datacenter. > > > > > > "In its current form the memory can operate only in very clean vacuum > > conditions and at liquid nitrogen temperature, 77 Kelvins, so the actual > > storage of data on an atomic scale is still some way off," Otte said. "But > > through this achievement we have certainly come a big step closer." > > > > > > --- > > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > > https://www.avast.com/antivirus > > > > > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > > > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > > -- > --BB > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > -- arche...@embarqmail.com <arche...@embarqmail.com> --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
