Nanopore Polymer Memory Cells for Stable Long-Term Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for alternative data storage methods that can store large volumes of data for extended periods without the instability issues faced by existing media like hard drives, optical media, and magnetic tapes, which become corrupted over time.
Innovation Solution
A nanopore-based system using memory cells with multiple chambers, where DNA or polymers are steered through nanopores to add unique codes, allowing for efficient data storage and retrieval by successively steering the polymer through the nanopore-based device based on a digital data pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional storage media (hard drives, optical media, magnetic tapes) are used, then data storage is achieved, but the data becomes corrupted after prolonged storage
Solution Approach 1:
synthetic polymer having a composition that promotes stability and longevity of the stored data, wherein the synthetic polymer comprises a backbone chain and side chains extending from the backbone chain
2Reliability
If nanopore-based polymer storage is used, then data stability and longevity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
a deblock chamber arranged to enable the polymer to receive the code when the polymer enters the deblock chamber; at least one addition chamber arranged to add a code to the polymer when the polymer enters the addition chamber
3Quantity of substance
If multiple chambers are used for data encoding, then storage density is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
at least two addition chambers, each addition chamber arranged to add a unique code to the polymer when the polymer enters the addition chamber
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides a stable and efficient means of storing and retrieving data, offering high storage density and longevity, overcoming the limitations of traditional storage media by using a nanopore-based system with multiple chambers to encode data on polymers.
Implementation Method 1
successfully steering the polymer from the deblock chamber through the nanopore to the addition chambers to add the codes to the polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of storing and reading digital data, including providing a nanopore polymer memory (NPM) device having at least one memory cell comprising at least two addition chambers each arranged to add a unique chemical construct (or codes) to a polymer (or DNA) string when the polymer enters the respective addition chamber, the data comprising a series of codes; successively steering the polymer from deblock chambers through the nanopore into the addition chambers to add codes to the polymer to create the digital data pattern on the polymer; and accurately controlling the bit rate of the polymer using a servo controller. The device may have loading chamber(s) to load (or remove) the polymer into/from the deblock chambers through at least one “micro-hole”. The cell may be part of a memory system that stores and retrieves “raw” data and allows for remote retrieval and conversion. The cell may store multi-bit data having a plurality of states for the codes.