Using DNA To Build DRAMs

SailorBob writes "A research team at the University of Minnesota has demonstrated a technique using DNA crystals to build 20 angstrom 1 bit single electron memory cells. The researchers claim that this technique could be used to build memory with a 10 trillion bits/cm2 density, which would mean a 6.4 Terabit DRAM."

Comments

Where's the DNA from?

[jpsst34]

I only hope that they don't have to use frog DNA to supplement the sparse DRAM DNA that they've been able to harvest from amber that oozed over EDO SIMMS millions of seconds ago. If they did, we may end up with DRAM that is able to hot-switch it's bits, thus resulting in chaos.

not exactly DRAM

[Matthias Wiesmann]

They article only compares the DNA system with DRAM for memory density. They don't talk about building DRAM using this technology.

• The D in DRAM stands for dynmic, this is memory that needs to be update at regular intervals. I'm not sure this DNA technology will require refreshes (this is good).
• In the article, they mention that their current plans are not for random access (those are the R and A in RAM.) I think this technology is closer to CCD memory where data can be fed and read in a sequential manner. For certain applications (like storing video data), this is sufficient, but for computer main memory, this is not well suited.
• So basically, they will do DRAM, but without the DRA part. This is called memory.

Re:not exactly DRAM

[Simon Field]

My thought when I first read this was not memories, but high efficiency (>85%) solar cells.

The folks working on optical rectennas are to the point where their remaining problems are with making metal-insulator-metal tunneling diodes that are small enough and fast enough.

They are close to demonstrating a working device, and it looks to me like DNA scaffolding could not only make it easier to build the MIM diodes, but might make fabrication of the entire device easier and faster. Instead of ion-beam implantation, you grow the 2D crystals in a vat.

The idea is to make an array of tiny dipole antennas, with a diode at the feedpoint. When light hits the antennas, an AC current is generated, then rectified by the diodes.

Making the antennas has been possible for some time now (500 nanometers). The work on making the diodes is nearly ready. Now it looks like we have a possible cheap and efficient means of constructing them on a large scale.

Knee jerk reaction ...

[Merlin42]

Great now my computer will be able to give me a virus ... god damn it! Just imagine a few of those DNA strands flaking off and creating an unknown virus ... and wiping out mankind! I guess Micheal Crighton will have to rewrite "the andromeda strain" and rename it "the silicon valley strain".

Re:Knee jerk reaction ...

[cornjchob]

He did. But it's called Prey

You can't to that near to a computer anymore

[ptaff]

We're talking DNA, so any cancerigen factor must be accounted.

• No more smoking near the computer;
• Use suntan cream on your laptop when under the sun for a long time;
• You can't grill meat on your processor anymore;

...and don't forget that urge for the computer to mate!

Re:You can't to that near to a computer anymore

[cornjchob]

Oh, don't worry...judging my my Kazaa download list, my computer will never have to worry about that ;)

Not exactly memory

[Malcolm Chan]

Actually, the article appears to be mainly talking about a circuit assembly technique, using DNA, which can assemble at the nanoscale. Memory is just an example application, so it's not even really talking about memory!

Hmm... wonder if the /. readers even read the title of the articles... :-)

Question...

[Danse]

Will 6.4 Tb DRAM be available in time for Doom 3?

Grow your own ram

[Manfre]

It would nice if the dna was able to replicate itself. Buy a gig of ram and in a year it'll be 2.

The new nutrition

[Hubert_Shrump]

Important scientists who are smarter than you have decided that amino acids essential to your survival are hiding inside your computer's memory.

AOL users everywhere are urged to dyke the chips out and take at least four a day. They are somewhat less strongly urged to unplug the computer first.

Poor overclockers.

[twiztidlojik]

The entire subculture will die off! How are you supposed to overclock your DNA memory? Oh, the horror!

"Use your own blood to make your memory twice as fast!"

"CAS.25 latency achieved with rudimentary E. Coli DNA! See page 36 for details!"

Again Nobody said it

[Lord_Of_The_Beer]

"Nobody is ever going to need 6.4 Terabit DRAM."

Re:Again Nobody said it

[ScorpioIlya]

"Nobody is ever going to need 6.4 Terabit DRAM."

By the time we have 6.4 Terabit DRAM, windows will require at least 12.8 Terabit DRAM....and maybe a Pentahertz processor with quad-pumped co-processor, for .1 second/movie fast divx 12.0 encoding.

And wouldn't it be cool to grow your own computer, with like a little DNA home growing kit? You could buy government-approved DNA and grow it into like a custom computer, or a pet...whatever makes you a more 'stable' person.

Organic computers & microships...

[Anonymous Coward]

Will bring a whole new meaning to the term "cyber-sex"

no that would not be cool.

[Lord_Of_The_Beer]

I just had this vision of my dog following me around going "Lets balance the check book, common you know you wanna"

Or what would be worse, trying to surf slashdot on the cat......

Re:no that would not be cool.

[ScorpioIlya]

Yeah well, How bout we start with animal testing for dna-based computers, and maybe upgrade gerbils to do LAME-MP3 encoding by plugging wires into their ass and mouth?

this is old news

[antiprime]

DNA has already been used to build DRAMs. We call the process civilization, and it is also useful for making ice cream. Look for it in your local supermarket.

Games

[Anonymous Coward]

Whoa, I bet CS would run great with 6.4Tb of RAM.

Is 1 electron memory reliable?

[xluap]

In theory 1 electron could enough to store one bit. However, i think 1 cosmic particle would be enough to set or reset the bit by adding or removing an electron, or the electron might simply be lost. Would this 1 electron memory be reliable?