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Jerusalem (Israel) - A company called Mempile has developed a prototype storage device which uses a DVD-like disc capable of eventually storing up to 1 Terabyte worth of data in a semi-transparent disc. It has 200 physical layers of about 5GB each on this disc. That's enough to store more than 250,000 MP3s, 115 full-length DVD movies, or 40 full-length HD movies on each disc. Researchers believe the technology will yield multi-TB discs that could fit in your coat pocket.

The process involved in storing data using this media is quite different from traditional CDs or DVDs which uses physically etched pits to represent 1s and 0s. The multi-terabyte process relies on a photochemical reaction which takes place at the focal point of laser. The unique material in use is what allows it to happen.

Each physical disc is made of a specially developed variant of the polymer polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) known as ePMMA. This material gives the disc itself a yellow hue but is transparent to the wavelength of light used in reading/writing. The disc material is uniquely sensitive to particular wavelengths of laser light at varying intensities. These properties are used for reading/writing 200 virtual layers contained within the media.

Current prototypes are limited to 600-800 GB with 1 TB coming soon through additional optimization of the process. Researchers believe the technology will eventually max out about at 5 TB. The media is expected to have a data life of at least 50 years.


http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/33582/135/