12.8 Petabytes, You Say?

MadUndergrad writes "Dr. Jonathan Spanier from Drexel University has come up with a novel way to greatly increase data storage density: water. Specifically, they propose using hydroxyl ions to stabilize minute ferroelectric wires. These wires could be many times smaller than what is possible today, enabling data densities in the neighborhood of 12-13 PB per cubic centimeter. While there are still many problems to be resolved before drives using these can be manufactured this technology does seem promising. For one thing, it would be non-volatile, but could apparently be made to act as RAM. The fact that this is coming out of a university gives me hope that this technology won't turn out to be just so much vapor."

Comments

Temperature issues?

[BenJeremy]

I did not read the article, but I would imagine the usage would be limited by temperature ranges, for that matter, even simple exposure of the components.

Imagine a device with this technology submitted to freezing temperatures?

Misplaced Optimism

[ZombieRoboNinja]

"The fact that this is coming out of a university gives me hope that this technology won't turn out to be just so much vapor."

Um... the fact that this is coming from a university suggests to ME that it might be highly impractical, but of some academic interest.

I mean, "university" may rank above "wacky fly-by-night startup looking to fleece investors" on the ol' Trust-o-meter, but the fact that a few academics are studying something certainly doesn't mean it's even potentially viable as a commercial product.

Re:Misplaced Optimism

[NetDanzr]

Um... the fact that this is coming from a university suggests to ME that it might be highly impractical, but of some academic interest.

I fully agree. Having spent the last two years working in a business incubator associated with a major research university, I found the following life cycle of new technologies to be true in 95% of cases:

1. Invent something, file an invention disclosure with the university and ask for patenting the idea.
2. File for all grants you can get.
3. Once you run out of grants, declare your intention to commercialize the technology.
4. Secure some start-up funding, primarily in the form of SBIR/STTR grants and angel funding.
5. Once funding is received, declare that the technology is not yet ready and go back to the lab to write more papers on your technology.
6. Repeat and rinse.

I've seen some really ground-breaking technologies in action. One was proven to decrease the level of emissions by 95%. Another promised to replace current heat sinks with a new design that would eliminate computer fans. Yet another has been around since the 1950s; the lead researcher has invented when he was a grad student. Unfortunately, most researchers at the school I was working at were aware of the fact that in the long term having a technology to work on for another decade or more was more lucrative than starting a company and ending with a miniscule ownership share after venture financing.

electrolysis?

[fishyfool]

the water will have to be de-mineralized to eliminate conductivity.
  whats left is oxygen and hydrogen, with the electricity in the wires running through the wires be strong enough to create electrolysis?
thats not what i'd call non-volatile.

Vaporware?

[jmcharry]

Prof. Jonathan Spanier is in Materials Engineering, so I would bet this is a lab demonstration of an effect that might be developed into a technology, not something likely to appear on store shelves in a year or two. Still, it is an important first step in that direction.

Obnoxious Cynicism

[jsailor]

Sorry to be so cynical, but why do you put more merit behind something from a University? They're competing for research dollars and don't actually have to produce anything that works in the field or that they'll have to support for many years. In much the same way that corporations extend/enhance the truth to attract customers, Universities extend/enhance the truth to attract grants.

Despite what my tone may reflect, I'm very curious to your thought process.

University

[linuxwrangler]

The fact that this is coming out of a university gives me hope that this technology won't turn out to be just so much vapor.

Like Pons & Fleishman's cold fusion? Like the recent Korean cloning fiasco? Like the forestry research papers that were pulled because of political and corporate pressure? Like so many others that have been in the recent news?

Problem is that scientists and researchers can be corrupted by fame, fortune or pressure just like other humans.

I'm not saying that this technology is bogus - I know nothing about the technology or the people involved. But the fact that it comes from a university doesn't offer any special guarantees in my book.

Core memory LIVES!

[jhines]

It sounds like the magnetic core memory of the old days.