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Anti-static Polymer Stores Data, Too
Tau Zero writes "The BBC reports that a group of scientists (including Stephen Forrest) have discovered a new use for the anti-static plastic film polyethylenedioxythiophene: storing up to a gigabyte per cubic centimeter. The storage technology resembles an old fuse-link PROM; a bit of polymer between two electrodes conducts electricity when new, but a strong pulse turns it into an open circuit. The polymer is already cheap, and read/write speeds are claimed to be good. The researchers predict that this could be made into working devices in a few years (no word on whether this means devices in the laboratory or retail packages)." Update: 11/29 16:34 GMT by CN : Whoops, we already reported this earlier, and I was fooled into thinking it new by the BBC. Given the slump of news due to the holiday weekend, it's still worth mulling over, though.
Sorry, try this link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3245822.stm (see the 2 in the url denotes international audience , UK traffic is a 1)
Current 2.5" hard-drives have same storage density (60GB with 66.5cm^2) and don't have write restrictions.
This technology takes at least few years until it's commercially available, and by that time there will be cheap 10-20GB flash cards.
Well, you should not forget that there are many many competing technologies for a flash successor. Thinks to consider when discussing OUM:
-Intel (and ST to a minor factor) are the only companies investing into this, all competitors have different technologies.
-A demonstration of reliable high density operation has still to follow. Handling local temperature differences of several hundrend kelvins within a sold state device poses many problems. Thermal stress will contribute to wear out, characteristics drift etc etc..
-How about process compatibility.. no mention about this, yet
-Intel is also investing in competing technologies
Some companies (for example Infineon) are also investigating sub 45nm flash-alike memory utilizing FinFets.
None of the new technologies for nonvolatile memories come even close to the density of advanced flash concepts like NROM, Mirror Bit flash, multilevel flash.
How will common file systems and OS designs have to change to accommodate WORM media?
Plan 9 from Bell Labs already has.