Harvard University academics published an article specifying new data storage technology that could address the deficiencies of modern archival media. Published by the American Chemical Society, the article presents a technique for saving data in a mixture of fluorescent dyes, which are printed on a surface in a given pattern. When it comes time to access the data, the particular combination of different molecules in a mixture can be translated using a singular microscope into binary ones and zeros that computers can interpret. "The increasing use of digital technologies requires rethinking how data is stored," the researchers explained. "The use of mixtures of molecules, rather than sequenced macromolecules, minimizes the time and complexity of synthesis and eliminates the need for sequencing." Academics claim to have written, saved, and read roughly four hundred Kilobytes of data with virtually no loss of information, with an average write speed of one hundred and twenty-eight bps and a read speed of four hundred and sixty-nine bps.
The mystery of data storage
As the volume of data produced by Internet activity, digital devices, and IoT sensors continues to increase at a belligerent rate, companies are running out of time to solve a critical issue: where to put it all. According to a recent IDC report, the amount of data created over the next 5 years will more than double the amount created since digital storage was deployed. While less than two percent of the XNUMX ZBs (XNUMX billion Tb) created last year were in long-term storage (the rest were either overwritten or cached), Global data storage needs always exceed total capacity expansion. Although cloud storage, cloud backup, and large capacity drives are convenient for storing small amounts of data in a short time, when it comes to file storage, Linear Tape-Open (LTO) tape is the supreme queen. However, while profitable, the band has its weaknesses; Data is only accessible serially, making it difficult to locate individual files, and companies must also migrate to new tape on a semi-regular basis to prevent data loss. To solve the looming data crisis, researchers are seeking new ultra-dense and ultra-durable storage technologies. Certain contenders have emerged, such as DNA, quartz glass, and crystal holograms, and now fluorescent dye. Compared to tape, which has to be replaced every ten to two years, researchers say that data encoded in a fluorescent dye can be stored for thousands and thousands of years without degrading. As a storage medium, dye is also thicker than tape, which means smaller facilities could accommodate considerably more data. In contrast to DNA, which is considered the most promising of the challenge technologies, this new technique does not require the synthesis of molecules (only mixed ones) and therefore avoids a costly and time-consuming process. Clearly, fluorescent dye technology is still in its infancy, far from ready for commercial implementation. But Harvard's research team has created a new company, called Datacule, which will continue to explore its potential. "Nous avons franchise l'obstacle supplémentaire, which consists of developing a technology that works - et il ne fait no doute qu'elle fonctionne, qu'elle présente certain advantages", declared Professor George Whitesides, who directed the team research. “The second hurdle is, does anyone care? We have yet to answer this. Via Harvard Crimson, CNET