Wednesday, 5 September 2007

Store 30,000 Movies in iPod, Courtesy IBM

IBM scientists have showed how to save data on single atoms and molecules, a discovery that could reduce the size of processors to atom...

IBM scientists have showed how to save data on single atoms and molecules, a discovery that could reduce the size of processors to atom. In simple terms, this means now one can easily save upto 30,000 movies or more than 1,000 trillion bits of data in one iPod.

IBM said this invention could eventually shrink the computers to the size of an atom.

IBM said its scientists made major progress in a new technology called “magnetic anisotropy” in single atoms and this has a major consequence because it shows an atom’s ability to store information.

In another discovery, researchers at IBM’s Zurich centre have unveiled the first single-molecule switch that can operate without any problem and without disrupting the molecule's outer frame. This means we can expect faster, smaller and efficient processors in the future.

“One of the beauties of doing exploratory science is that by researching one area, you sometimes stumble upon other areas of major significance,” said Gerhard Meyer, senior researcher in the nanoscale science group at the IBM Zurich lab. “Although the discovery of this breakthrough was accidental, it may prove to be significant for building the computers of the future.”