A Dutch researcher is working on next-generation storage technology that could see data held on millions of tiny needles.

Alexander le Fèbre showed that a field-emission current signal can be used to arrange the position of nanometre-sharp needles.

These probes can be applied to write and read in new storage media with an extremely high density, using bits on a nanometre scale.

Le Fèbre, a scientist at the University of Twente’s MESA+ research institute, said that being able to control the position of each separate probe is essential for realising a system with extremely high densities.

The measurements show that a field-emission current signal can be used to adjust the position of the probes without them making direct contact with the storage medium.

Source:
vnunet.com