IBM Moves Closer to New Class of Memory
December 6th, 2007 | by computermemory |
MADE IN IBM LABS: Computer memory that combines the high performance and reliability of flash with the low cost and high capacity of the hard disk drive could be closer than you think, thanks to a team of IBM scientists.
In two papers published recently in the journal Science, IBM Fellow Stuart Parkin and colleagues at the IBM Almaden Research Center in San Jose describe both the fundamentals of a technology dubbed “racetrack” as well as a milestone in that technology. This milestone could lead to electronic devices capable of storing far more data in the same amount of space than is possible today, with lightning-fast boot times, far lower cost and unprecedented stability and durability.
Within the next ten years, racetrack memory, so named because the data “races” around the wire “track,” could lead to solid state electronic devices — with no moving parts, and therefore more durable — capable of holding far more data in the same amount of space than is possible today. For example, this technology could enable a handheld device such as an mp3 player to store around 500,000 songs or around 3,500 movies — 100 times more than is possible today — with far lower cost and power consumption. The devices would not only store vastly more information in the same space, but also require much less power and generate much less heat, and be practically unbreakable: the result, massive amounts of personal storage that could run on a single battery for weeks at a time and last for decades.
The commercial availability of racetrack stands to take microelectronics into the third dimension, exceeding the two-dimensional limits of Moore’s Law. And IBM is no stranger to creating entirely new markets that spring from exploratory research such as this. Just a few of the many game-changers invented at IBM Research include the memory chip, the hard disk drive and the relational database.
BRADLY
24 Responses to “IBM Moves Closer to New Class of Memory”
By Watcher3223 on Dec 9, 2007 | Reply
I don’t think teleportation is possible even with the huge data capacity that this technology could offer.
First, you need sufficient amounts of energy and the ability to properly control it to disassemble and convert matter into a form that can be transmitted and then reassemble it back the way it was.
Then, you have to find a way to overcome the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and that one’s an even bigger hurdle than data capacity and energy limits.
By Watcher3223 on Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
No, it’s not.
Only IBM’s home computer and laptop business was sold to Lenovo.
IBM sold their hard drive operations to Hitachi.
But, IBM by themselves are still in operation in the United States. They still make computer workstations, servers, supercomputers, and so on.
By logbeastie on Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
Guys, your all missing the big picture. With this amount of memory capacity at its size you need to start thinking BIGGER. Teleportation. Big Ballin.
By fakadan on Dec 12, 2007 | Reply
p my pusssy is wet d
By 312868540 on Dec 14, 2007 | Reply
rate me 1-10
By Sgrunterundt on Dec 16, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for the talk today at NTNE. Looking forward to see it in trade.
By Doublethink20 on Dec 17, 2007 | Reply
First of all i must say i am very impressed with engenuety of this design, and look forward to seeing if the nanowires will be able to be made verticaly.
Although i must say that Dr Stuart Parkin (and if its you reading this im sorry) during your lecture on this you had a ratio of aprox. 58:1 time of moving your glass of water to taking a sip, which as we all know is extreamly ineficent
By Dirtfire on Dec 17, 2007 | Reply
It’ll still be much slower than conventional memory, however.
By Dirtfire on Dec 21, 2007 | Reply
If it’s faster, far more reliable, and uses less power, then it’ll be quite useful.
By Kg277 on Dec 21, 2007 | Reply
bubble memory all over again..
By ultort on Dec 24, 2007 | Reply
It’s lenovo now
By devonrose742 on Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
IBM produces workstations, servers, mice, keyboards, (certain monitors), and computers.
By foreverseethe on Dec 29, 2007 | Reply
I thought UBM doesn’t do consumer harwarware anymore? Except (vid game chips). Thinkpad was the last leg in the harware business before it sold it off.
By shred5 on Dec 29, 2007 | Reply
lol not close
By devonrose742 on Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
IBM= ingenius BEST machines
nothing beats IBM equipment. (no, not even crappy lenovo, I hate lenovo, if lou gerstner was still the CEO of IBM, they would still have the thinkpads - guaranteed. Thanks for NOTHING SAMUEL PALMISANO).
By devonrose742 on Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
IBM did not die, I use all IBM equipment, my desktop, laptop, keyboards, mice, they are ALL 100% PURE IBM.
My intellistation though is having some issues, IBM is being painfully tardy in replying.
By AMVdude21183 on Jan 4, 2008 | Reply
what does that have to do with racetrack memory?
By shred5 on Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
Alternative and probably superior solutions have been done for years now, problem is we just don’t have the speed yet for it to be of any use for us.
By FancyFeast3 on Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
Reminding you that imagination is no match for the posibilities nano wires can give us.
By FancyFeast3 on Jan 8, 2008 | Reply
IBM= Imortal Buisness Masters.
By fengyunsilly on Jan 10, 2008 | Reply
很好很强大
By thedude77777 on Jan 13, 2008 | Reply
I thought IBM died 0.o
u learn new thing each day
By milesforwin on Jan 16, 2008 | Reply
Maybe hard drive speed will catch up with the rest of the computer system now.
By dealerovski82 on Jan 18, 2008 | Reply
I have a pet in my house *smile*