'Universal' Memory Aims To Replace Flash/DRAM

siliconbits writes "A single 'universal' memory technology that combines the speed of DRAM with the non-volatility and density of flash memory was recently invented at North Carolina State University, according to researchers. The new memory technology, which uses a double floating-gate field-effect-transistor, should enable computers to power down memories not currently being accessed, drastically cutting the energy consumed by computers of all types, from mobile and desktop computers to server farms and data centers, the researchers say."

Comments

The usual nonsense...

[gweihir]

... by attention-hungry researchers.

There are several reasons why this will not work as advertized:

- Background storage, even FLASH, is far larger than main memory for a reason

- OSses are not designed with this type memory in mind

- Have you wever counted how often you need to reboot a computer? WTF is this thing going to help?

- Density will be far lower than DRAM, causing significantly higher prices and preventing it from competing. Also more complex cells are inherently more expensive and less reliable

- An "emergency flash write" still takes a lot of time and energy, at least partially invalidating the concept

And as to "invented", something very similar (FLASH backplane, DRAM for use) has been used in programmable logic circuits for decades.