DNA Memory Device Uses 100x Less Power than Traditional Devices

Topic: Research News

Scientists at Penn State have created a new memory device that uses DNA to store information. This device can hold a huge amount of data in a very small space and consumes much less power than traditional devices.

DNA is the genetic blueprint for all living things, but it's also an incredibly dense way to store information. A single gram of DNA can hold about 215 million gigabytes of data.

The challenge has been finding a way to make biological DNA work with electronic materials. Penn State researchers have now developed a new approach that solves this problem. They used synthetic DNA, which is made from chemically engineered molecules arranged into short genetic sequences tailored for specific electronic requirements.

The team also used crystalline perovskite, a semiconductor material already used in solar cells and data storage devices. By combining the information storage capabilities of DNA with the electronic properties of perovskite semiconductors, they created a bio-hybrid system that changes how low-power memory devices can be designed.

The researchers built a memory resistor called a

Implications

Scientists at Penn State have created a new memory device that uses DNA to store information. This device can hold a huge amount of data in a very small space and consumes much less power than traditional devices.