Revolutionary Polymer Data Storage: A Promising Leap Forward
The researchers of Flinders University have created a low-cost but high-density data storage polymer that could turn out to be revolutionary. It is a new material composed of sulfur and cyclopentadiene and allows information to be encoded in nanoscale indentations. Its attraction does not stop at increased storage, but rather its environmental friendliness, as it can be quickly recycled and reused. This research that has appeared in the journal Advanced Science marks a strategic shift away from hard disk drives and solid-state drives as common carriers of information.
Key Positives
- Storage capacity and density increase as compared to the existing hard disk drives.
- Data can be deleted in seconds by exposing material to short bursts of heat.
- Uses cheaper materials, which may result in cheaper forms of data storage.
- Lower consumption of energy compared to the current technologies.
The potential they hold out is quite enormous. The proliferation of data storage is on an upward trend especially due to the engagement of both big data and artificial intelligence, therefore developing approaches to cater to the problem is critical. Due to this polymer's ability to fix data in the form of small ‘dents’, an increase in the amount of information stored in a given volume is likely to be achieved. This, in effect, ensures a breakthrough in the technology of storage devices.
However, even though these are astonishing developments, some expectations related to these developments should be critically evaluated. For example, when stating the potential of the polymer, what about the Read/Write speeds? Although they appear promising, modern mechanical data storage methods have been hindered due to high-energy consumption and cost. Whether this new polymer has fully addressed those concerns, or if there are still issues to solve, I make no claims.
There is also the concern of commercial acceptance. Data storage systems that are purely mechanical have been tried several times by Tech companies, with no success in expanding their usage. Of course, without practical application statistics or case studies, one wonders how this polymer will compete with others. If the permeated polymer can deliver at a scale, then, will it be commercially viable, or will it join the ranks of other innovations that never made it into the marketplace?
The innovations that are coming from the Flinders University team definitely bear some significance. That being said, the narrative ought to also carry some objective views relating to commercial implementation. One may wonder whether there is any market space for such data storage techniques in a world where hard disk and solid-state drives are the order of the day, even with the advanced materials used.
To sum up, the advancements brought forth by this polymer seem promising; however, it requires more profound investigation. One remains confident that a cause for concern may be the forensic aspect of the procedure, but a bit of common sense must be employed.
At DiskInternals, we have developed a set of tools that restore lost information from disk drives, operating systems, and application software. We understand the effects of loss of data very well and strive to develop solutions that assist in preventing these problems. The developments in data storage technologies, like this new polymer, are in line with our remaining vision of protecting your data.