Researchers Make RAM From a Phase Change We Don't Entirely Understand (arstechnica.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: We seem to be on the cusp of a revolution in storage. Various technologies have been demonstrated that have speed approaching that of current RAM chips but can hold on to the memory when the power shuts off -- all without the long-term degradation that flash experiences. Some of these, like phase-change memory and Intel's Optane, have even made it to market. But, so far at least, issues with price and capacity have kept them from widespread adoption. But that hasn't discouraged researchers from continuing to look for the next greatest thing. In this week's edition, a joint NIST-Purdue University team has used a material that can form atomically thin sheets to make a new form of resistance-based memory. This material can be written in nanoseconds and hold on to that memory without power. The memory appears to work via a fundamentally different mechanism from previous resistance-RAM technologies, but there's a small hitch: we're not actually sure how it works. The two mechanisms used to change the resistance have been reported in the journal Nature Materials.

Comments

Unexplanium?

[Anonymous Coward]

So they switched substrates from unobtanium to unexplanium?

ERAM!

[Gravis Zero]

we're not actually sure how it works.

Call it ERAM aka Emo RAM because "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ME AT ALL!" ;)

Re: i know how it works

[Anonymous Coward]

That form of matter has a name - toilet paper.

Engineering!

[Vylen]

Sounds like regular engineering to me!

"I made something awesome, no idea how it works, but it does - don't touch it! You'll break it!"

Re:knowing how it works is nice, but not necessary

[93 Escort Wagon]

The last recorded words of the human civilization will be: "Wonder what happens if we push this button?"

My money's on "hold my beer!"